This week meet Kat O’Brien Skerry, our Public Engagement Officer, who has been taking Zooniverse tasks into colleges across the UK.
– Helen
Title: Kat O’Brien Skerry
Location: College of Oxford, UK
Inform us about your position throughout the group
I joined the group in January 2022 as a Public Engagement Officer and I work on a hard and fast time period contract bringing the Zooniverse to varsities and academic settings across the nation.
What did you do in your life earlier than the Zooniverse?
My background is in STEM schooling having initially educated as a physics and maths trainer. I moved from there into casual schooling and most just lately spent 5 years on the science museum in London of their studying group.
What does your typical working day contain?
My position is break up between delivering workshops in colleges and growing these workshops and convincing colleges that they’re an excellent thought. So some days, I will probably be in classroom main palms on actions, getting children caught into the Zooniverse, or facilitating zoom calls with the researchers. Some days I will probably be making an attempt out experiments and explanations on anyone who I can discover who seems (moderately) keen to play. Some days I’ve a bit extra of an workplace life and I’ll be finessing what we’ve accomplished, contacting colleges and all that stuff..
How would you describe the Zooniverse in a single sentence?
A one cease store for citizen science.
Inform us concerning the first Zooniverse challenge you had been concerned with
I first used Galaxy Zoo as an exercise in a STEM membership that I used to be operating and had simply as a lot enjoyable taking part in as the youngsters did. Being added as an editor on tasks in order that I may tackle this position was fairly terrifying!
What’s been your most memorable Zooniverse expertise?
The suggestions from one in all my most up-to-date colleges was simply the very best. I had one pupil ask me, wide-eyed, “Did I actually do precise science?” and reply to my “After all you probably did!” with “Wow, possibly I could possibly be a scientist”. I may have cried. To me, Zooniverse is a approach to get children to see themselves as scientists and seeing that impression changing into actual is great.
What are your prime three citizen science tasks?
I’m biased by the 2 I work on, so Galaxy Zoo and Science Scribbler: Virus Manufacturing facility. However I even have an actual tender spot for the Davy Notebooks Challenge as a result of I’m an enormous historical past of science fan.
What recommendation would you give to a researcher contemplating making a Zooniverse challenge?
Once more, I’m biased, however take into consideration if it could possibly be helpful in outreach!
How can somebody who’s by no means contributed to a citizen science challenge get began?
Give it a go! There are such a lot of nice tasks on the market from annual birdwatching and bug hunts which you are able to do at house, to extra supported tasks in museums in order for you a bit extra assist as you get began.
The place do you hope citizen science and the Zooniverse will probably be in 10 years time?
I’d like to see citizen science embraced as a approach to make science schooling and outreach extra significant for each colleges and researchers, and Zooniverse as a way to take action.
When not at work, the place are we most definitely to seek out you?
I’m learning for an MA in Schooling in the intervening time (specialising in STEM schooling) so spend a whole lot of time within the library. In any other case, I’m discovered inexpertly herding and elevating a small menagerie of kids, chickens and chameleons.
Do you will have any celebration methods or hidden skills?
I can give you a child pleasant STEM exercise for nearly something. And can. Usually with out being requested.