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All Outputs (44)

Science Hunters: Teaching science concepts in schools using Minecraft (2019)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., Hartley, J., Ashby, M., Jackson, B., Bowden, L., …Bentley, S. (2019). Science Hunters: Teaching science concepts in schools using Minecraft. Action Research and Innovation in Science Education, 2(2), 13-21

Background Science Hunters is an outreach project based at Lancaster University, UK. It uses the computer game Minecraft, alongside interactive discussion and hands-on demonstrations, to engage children with scientific research topics and science l... Read More about Science Hunters: Teaching science concepts in schools using Minecraft.

Catch 22 - improving visibility of women in science and engineering for both recruitment and retention (2019)
Journal Article
Fogg-Rogers, L., & Hobbs, L. (2019). Catch 22 - improving visibility of women in science and engineering for both recruitment and retention. JCOM: Journal of Science Communication, 18(4), Article CO5. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.18040305

There is a significant under-representation of women in STEM which is damaging societal progress for democratic, utilitarian, and equity reasons. However, changing stereotypes in STEM requires a solution denied by the problem-more visible female role... Read More about Catch 22 - improving visibility of women in science and engineering for both recruitment and retention.

Using Minecraft to engage children with science at public events (2019)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., Hartley, J., Ashby, M., Lea, I., Bowden, L., …Burke, T. (2019). Using Minecraft to engage children with science at public events. Research for All, 3(2), 142-160. https://doi.org/10.18546/RFA.03.2.03

Engagement with science and scientific skills is an important aspect of children's ability to navigate the world around them, but engagement with science is low in comparison with other subjects. The Lancaster University outreach project Science Hunt... Read More about Using Minecraft to engage children with science at public events.

“So we can’t bring a volcano into the classroom…” Communicating geosciences through digital media (2019)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., Larbey, R., Marshall, D., & Smith, C. (2019). “So we can’t bring a volcano into the classroom…” Communicating geosciences through digital media

There are many fascinating, exciting and important aspects of geoscience that we just cannot physically bring into classrooms and public engagement events in all their glory. Volcanic eruptions, using drones to combat environmental crime, museum ex... Read More about “So we can’t bring a volcano into the classroom…” Communicating geosciences through digital media.

Science Hunters: An inclusive approach to engaging with science through Minecraft (2019)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., Hartley, J., & Hartley, C. (2019). Science Hunters: An inclusive approach to engaging with science through Minecraft. JCOM: Journal of Science Communication, 18(2), https://doi.org/10.22323/2.18020801

Science Hunters is an outreach project which employs the computer game Minecraft to engage children with scientific learning and research through school visits, events, and extracurricular clubs. We principally target children who may experience barr... Read More about Science Hunters: An inclusive approach to engaging with science through Minecraft.

Environmental education and engagement using a construction play computer game (2018)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., & Hartley, J. (2018). Environmental education and engagement using a construction play computer game

Science Hunters is a university outreach project which engages children of all ages with learning about science and the environment using the popular computer game, Minecraft. A learner-centred constructivist approach using anchored instruction and c... Read More about Environmental education and engagement using a construction play computer game.

Engaging Young Carers With Science Through Textile-Based Crafts (2018)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. K., & Ollerenshaw, K. (2018). Engaging Young Carers With Science Through Textile-Based Crafts. Science Communication, 40(2), 275-286. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547017753190

© 2018, © The Author(s) 2018. Textile-based crafts were used to engage young carers (under 18s providing care for another person) and accompanying adults in learning about underlying chemistry concepts, in an economically deprived area of northwest E... Read More about Engaging Young Carers With Science Through Textile-Based Crafts.

Science Hunters: Science learning through Minecraft (2017)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., & Hartley, J. (2017). Science Hunters: Science learning through Minecraft. Education in Science, 268, 20-21

Science Hunters is an outreach project based at Lancaster University. The project aims to engage children, particularly those who may face such barriers to accessing Higher Education, with science learning and university research.

Science Hunters: Minecraft as an outreach tool (2017)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. (2017). Science Hunters: Minecraft as an outreach tool

BIG STEM Communicators Network newsletter article. Edited from Hobbs, L., Stevens, C. and Hartley, J., 2017. Science Hunters: science learning through Minecraft. Education in Science, 268, 20-21.

Volcano experiments (2016)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. (2016). Volcano experiments

Guest Post - Volcano Experiments by Laura Hobbs

What to do with under 5s this British Science Week? (2016)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. (2016). What to do with under 5s this British Science Week?

As British Science Week 2016 approaches, we have the perfect opportunity to get our under 5s learning about science. But how do you do that?

Glaciovolcanism at Volcán Sollipulli, southern Chile: Lithofacies analysis and interpretation (2015)
Journal Article
Lachowycz, S. M., Pyle, D. M., Gilbert, J. S., Mather, T. A., Mee, K., Naranjo, J. A., & Hobbs, L. K. (2015). Glaciovolcanism at Volcán Sollipulli, southern Chile: Lithofacies analysis and interpretation. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 303, 59-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2015.06.021

© 2015 The Authors. Magma-ice-meltwater interactions produce diverse landforms and lithofacies, reflecting the multitude of factors that influence glaciovolcanism, including both magmatic (e.g., composition, eruption rate) and glacial (e.g., ice thic... Read More about Glaciovolcanism at Volcán Sollipulli, southern Chile: Lithofacies analysis and interpretation.

'Science from the Start': Science for pre-school children (2015)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. (2015). 'Science from the Start': Science for pre-school children. Education in Science, 259, 20-21

Science from the Start is an initiative to provide informal science learning opportunities for pre-school aged children, using play-based learning activities, along with accessible scientific background information for accompanying adults.

Play-Based Science Learning Activities: Engaging Adults and Children With Informal Science Learning for Preschoolers (2015)
Journal Article
Hobbs, L. K. (2015). Play-Based Science Learning Activities: Engaging Adults and Children With Informal Science Learning for Preschoolers. Science Communication, 37(3), 405-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547015574017

© 2015 SAGE Publications Informal science learning opportunities for preschool children are relatively rare in the United Kingdom. An outreach project was set up to provide accessible, public science-based play learning activity sessions for preschoo... Read More about Play-Based Science Learning Activities: Engaging Adults and Children With Informal Science Learning for Preschoolers.