the-BA : Bling-bling gems and tours of the universe

People from Afro-Caribbean groups may be amongst the most under-represented in science, but as National Science Week nears, two scientists from the Black community are leading the fore to engage young people in science with innovative projects.

Geoscientist Toyin Solanke mixes an interesting combination of the study of urban geology with the sound of urban grooves.

“I was always curious about life on Earth and our planet’s interior,” says Toyin. “My Environmental Science and Biology teachers were great and very encouraging, but then so were my English Lit, Drama and Theatre Arts teachers, too. After I left school, I was doing a summer musical with a regional youth theatre when I realised I still wanted to discover more about Earth, evolution and the Universe.”

Toyin took up ‘A’ level Geology evening classes and from there eventually went into a career in Petroleum Geology working for BP Exploration. Recently, she set up the Urban Geology Activity Access Programme (UGAAP).

“The idea behind UGAAP is to show geology ‘on the door-step’, delivering and presenting geology through geo-lyrics and urban rhythms,” says Toyin. “The aim is to encourage greater participation in exploring, understanding and managing our surroundings; enjoying the fascinating fossils, marvellous minerals and bling-bling gems – the relevance, importance and ‘geothrillogy’ of them!”

Whilst Toyin’s work is grounded on Earth, Dr Maggie Aderin, founder of Science Innovation Limited, looks to the stars for her work.

“I got the space bug when I was 6 years old, and through my work I have been able to see more of this world and the solar system than I would have ever thought possible,” says Maggie. She has worked developing technology for such organisations as the European Space Agency and NASA.

Like Toyin, Maggie doesn’t want to keep her passion to herself, which is why she now conducts “Tours of the Universe” in her spare time, a scheme she set up to engage school kids in the wonders of space. As well as giving children a taste of the thrills of space travel, the tours also serve to encourage women and ethnic minorities to consider science and engineering as a valid career option.

“I have heard many school girls say that they think that science is ‘boys stuff’ so don’t give it a try,” she says. “This is rubbish; science should be available to anyone with an interest, male, female, black or white.”

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