Science Outreach by Dr Jonathan Hare
Talks, Workshops and other activities

I present about 100 talks, workshops and other science based activities a year.
Please click below on the left hand side to find out more specific details about my talks and workshops, or
click here for some examples of outreach and resources (such as articles, science festivals etc).

To book a talk or workshop please check availability on my schedule (click here) and contact me to confirm details of events, avaliability and costs:
e-mail: j.p.hare@sussex.ac.uk

click here for a booking form:
booking form (doc file, only 36 kB)

click here for latest Creative Science Centre news

click here to find out what people say about Jonathan's work

Please click on the links below for more information:

T = talk, W = workshop, e = internet workshop
* 'Other' might be: general public, WEA, U3A, home educators etc.

Title of activity
(click on them for details)
Primary level Secondary level A-level Other*
The carbon revolution - T, W, e T, W, e T, W
C60, Nanotubes and Nobel Prizes - T, W, e T, W, e T, W
C60, Buckyball workshop T, W T, W, e T, W T, W, e
Hollywood Science talk - T T T
Breaking Bad talk - T T T
Rough Science talk - T T T
Science of skateboarding and longboarding - T T T
Lighthouses and the Fresnel Lens - T T T
Science of mobile phones - T, W, e T, W, e T, W, e
Voice on a light beam W W, e T, W, e W, e
Life in Science - - T T
My first research paper - a comet tale - - T -
Light in Nature T T T T
Castaway Science - T, W T, W T
Wind power and windmills W, T W, T W,T T, W
Shake-a-gen W W W -
Moon Clock - W W, T T
Atomic time (MSF, 60 kHz) - - T T
The Baghdad Battery T, W T, W T, W T
Introduction to Chaos - - T T
The Transistor W W, e T, W, e T
Spectroscopy of C60 - - W, e e
Xmas LED workshop W W - -
Wave Power - T T T
Fire extinguisher workshop - W - -
Astronomy 1 - a scientist's view of the universe - W - -
Astronomy 2 - light and 'stuff' (matter) - W - -
High above Lake Geneva
(10 trips to the Haute Savoie)
- - T T
10 years of the Creative Science Centre - - - T
Geodesic Domes W W, e T, W T, W, e
Getting things to work - - T T
In search of the Schumann resonance - - T T
Brighton graffiti: politics and science - - - T
1) Publications 2) short bio of Jonathan - - - -



Dr Jonathan Hare is a well known science educator and BBC TV science presenter. He presents 100 talks and workshops a year to schools, colleges, universities and science festivals etc. Jonathan is currently a visiting lecturer in Science communication in the Physics department at Sussex University. The Creative Science web site was set up (by JPH) in 1999 to inspire, encourage and help all ages and interests of people to make science experiments for themselves. This innovative site presents unique experiments and ideas. The website currently receives 1000's hits per month and many e-mail enquiries, some leading to collaborative projects around the world.

Jonathan Hare presents a range of science talks, workshops and resources.
To book a talk or workshop please check avalability on my schedule (click here) and contact me to confirm details of events, avaliability and costs:
e-mail: j.p.hare@sussex.ac.uk

click here for a booking form:
booking form (doc file, only 36 kB)

click here for latest Creative Science Centre news

click here to find out what people say about Jonathan's work

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS - more details


The Carbon Revolution
The last 30 years has seen a revolution in our understanding of carbon. We now no longer just have diamond and graphite as the pure forms (allotropes) but have chains, rings, cages (fullerenes), nantotubes and graphene. Dr Jonathan Hare was part of the pioneering team that developed the Fullerenes at Sussex University that lead to the 1996 Nobel prize in Chemistry under Sir Harry Kroto. In this talk we journey through the discovery of these amazing carbon structures taking us from atoms blown out into the vastness of space by ancient stars to Buckyballs, Geodesic domes (that you might live on if we went to Mars), nanotechnology and two Nobel prizes.
(all levels, ca. 1 hour, talk includes video clips and demonstrations)


Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Nobel Prizes - the discovery of Buckminsterfullerene
The discovery of a new form of carbon in 1985 - the Fullerenes - has lead to a new carbon mechano that promises amazing developments for the future. In 1996 the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded for the discovery of these new and potentially important materials. This talk is an account of the scientific story, breakthroughs and latest research. It is given by a scientist who was lucky enough to be directly involved with the Nobel Prize winning scientists and this pioneering research.
click here for details of the story
(all levels, ca. 1 hour, talk includes video clips and demonstrations)


C60, Buckyball workshop
This workshop deals with the discovery, structure and properties of C60, Buckminsterfullerene (work which lead to the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry). C60 is the head of a family of amazing carbon structures - the fullerenes. Jonathan Hare was part of the pioneering Sussex team that developed ways of making the Fullerenes. The workshop takes us from the tiny world of atoms to the vast world of astronomy. We shall also explore some simple maths connecting the symmetrical objects that we come across along the way. The W/S includes constructing (and keeping) a molecular model of Buckminsterfullerene.
(Primary - A level Workshop ca. 1-2h: molecular models £3 extra each)


Hollywood Science (talk)
Based on the BBC / OU TV series Hollywood Science. We ask how realistic is the science behind some of Hollywood's classic movies and stunts? We will take a number of Hollywood Films and look in more detail to find out. Depending on time films will include; SPEED, Shanghai Noon, Die Hard, The Score, Fight Club, Waterworld, UP, Moon, Angels and Demons, Chain Reaction ...
(1h: film clips + time for discussion)


For a review of the Hollywood Science talk try the
BBC News web site and and here for student reviews


Some Science of Breaking Bad (talk)
Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White a High School Chemistry teacher. Learning he has terminal cancer Walt decides to use his considerable chemistry expertise to make and sell crystal meth to make money fast; money he believes his family will need when he is no longer alive. Chemistry is the study of transformation and over the five incredible series we see its spectacular application on screen. We also witness Walt's ugly transformation from neighbourly school teacher into a unscrupulous super gangster' - 'Breaking Bad' in American slang. In the talk Jonathan will explore the use and abuse of meth amphetamine, acid bath disposal of bodies, exploding crystals, poisonous gases and much more from the series.
(1h: film clips + time for discussion)

See Jonathan's BBC Breaking Bad article
BBC website
and four articles written for the Royal Society of Chemistry


Rough Science (talk and workshop)
Based on the six BBC / OU TV series this talk will go a little deeper into the science of Rough Science. This will be complemented by film clips and demonstrations including: finding gold in New Zealand, a Brighton seawater battery, a light-beam communicator and much more.
(1h: demonstrations, video clips)


Some Science of Longboarding and skateboarding
Longboarding has been around since the start of skateboarding and is currently undergoing a revival. With video clips and animations this talk goes deeper into the science and technology of skating.
(50 min - 1h: demonstrations, video clips)
click here for details and links


Lighthouses and the Fresnel Lens
Lighthouses have guided mariners and warned seafarers of danger for 1000's of years. This talk provides a little of the history and diversity of lighthouses. In particular we look at the important invention of the Fresnel lens that made it possible to efficiently create a high intensity light that could beam 30 or perhaps 40 miles. The talk includes video clips of various lights and lighthouses around the world and their keepers. The talk will also include details of the film I made of the Gatteville Lighthouse (France) for the BBC COAST TV series.
(50 min - 1h: demonstrations, video clips)
click here for a mini film about the Fresnel lens


Some science of your mobile phone (talk and workshop)
The mobile phone has amazing computing power, a sophisticated radio transceiver and all sort of other modern gadgets and gizmos built in to allow you to phone people around the world. We will explore some of the science of mobile phones. Experiments and demonstrations include measuring the electromagnetic waves, discovering the DTMF ... - bring your mobiles!
click here for details of some of the experiments
(50 min - 1h: hands on demonstrations etc.)


Voice on a light beam (talk and workshop)
Based on one of the challenges from the Death Valley series of Rough Science (BBC2) we will learn how to use light not only to send morse code messages but incredibly actually put your own voice on the light - an experiment that in principle, could be used to communicate across the vacuum of space. In the workshop will make our own Rough Science experiments so you can put your voice on a lightbeam!
click here for details of the experiments
(GCSE - A Level talk 50 min - 1 hour, workshop ca. 1-2h: demos + video clips)


A life in Science ... story so far (talk)
This is an account of some of the fascinating work I have been lucky enough to be involved with - stories from this creative activity called science. We will go from the immense vistas of astronomy to the tiny worlds of atoms and molecules, from Earth sized magnets to experiments with gas powered cars. On the way we will hear about the discovery of C60 Buckminsterfullerene, a Nobel Prize for chemistry and some of the excitement filming the Rough Science TV series.
(ca. 50 min - 1h: all levels, includes video clips and demonstrations)


My first research paper - a comet tale (talk)
In the first year of my PhD with Sir Harry Kroto, I helped re-analyse data sent back by the Giotto PICCA probe that flew through the tail of comet Halley in 1986. Although this work was quite simple I learnt a lot of science, it lead to my first publication and gave me experience working with a great scientist. It also brought home to me how easy it is to make mistakes, make wrong assumptions and how essential (but challenging) clear thinking is.
(article: The Analysis of Comet Mass Spectrometric Data, S. P. Balm, J. P. Hare, H. W. Kroto, Space Science Reviews 1991, 56, 185-189)
(ca. 50 min - 1h, A level)


Light in Nature (talk)
While walking 'out on the hills' you will not only see beautiful countryside but if you are lucky, and know where to look you can also see a wide range of amazing optical phenonina. These include: rainbows, halos, glories, mock suns and all sorts of other amazing visual specticles. Many of these are due to the tiny balls of water we call rain drops and mist! This talk will be about the physics of light, water drops and what you can see simply by looking around you ... if you know a little science and where to look.
(general audience, ca. 1h)


Castaway Science (talk and workshop)
Shipwrecked you find yourself castaway on an island in the middle of nowhere, could you use science to find out where you are? This workshop will show you how! We will learn about the astronomy that describes the movements of the Sun and stars as well as other physical phenomena and use our knowledge to describe how we would build simple low tech. apparatus to work out 'where on Earth we are'.
(General public talk, GCSE - A Level Workshop ca. 1h: video clips)


Wind power and windmills (talk and workshop)
Living on a fairly windy island (the UK) there is great scope for making power from the wind. Here we explain the essentails and show some demonstrations to bring these ideas alive.
click here for details of some of the experiments
(General public talk, GCSE - A Level Workshop ca. 1h: video clips)


Spectroscopy of C60 (talk)
IR, UV, NMR and Mass spectroscopy provide scientists with a wide range of clues to unravelling and identifying chemical structure and composition. At the heart of the success of these techniques is the fundamental idea of symmetry. C60, Buckminsterfullerene, probably the most wonderfully structured and symmetrical of molecules, has an equally wonderful and rewarding set of spectroscopic signatures. We shall look at the structure of C60 and by its example explain and explore key areas of spectroscopy.
click here for details of C60
(A-level, molecular models provided, max. 30)


Atomic time (MSF, 60 kHz) (talk)
I spent a very happy year at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) working with atomic clocks that were 'accurate' to better than a second in 100,000 years! - I was a 'Time Lord' for a year. This talk is a little of the history of time keeping, how time is measured leading up to the amazing invention of the atomic clock. Also described is the 60 kHz MSF time signal that constantly sends out a super-stable time signal which we will used to demonstrate a 'radio' clock in action.
click here for details of MSF
(ca. 1 hour, talk and demonstrations)


Electricity and the Baghdad Battery (talk and workshop)
This is the story of electricity. We will describe how electricity is found in nature e.g. in storms but also in crystals. Then we explore how we can generate electricity from magnetism. We will discuss the chemistry and physics of the electrochemical cell and make a simple battery out of household materials to power some electronic devices. On the way we look at a little of the history of this important invention and the possibility that it might have been invented by the Mesopotamians over 2000 years ago!
click here for details of a simple battery and the Baghdad Battery
(GCSE to A-level: 1h: presentation with hands-on demos)


The Transistor (talk and workshop)
The transistor is a most important and influential invention as it has provided the means for the computer and communications revolution. This has lead to the space age and to the incredible developments of the internet. In this talk we will explore the transistor with the aid of many demonstrations and audience participation. We will see how the transistor can be used to amplify and look at its latest use in the tiny memory chips of palm computers and digital cameras and beyond.
click here for details of the transistor workshop
(talk 1 h: demonstrations and audience participation, workshop: GCSE - A Level. Workshop ca. 1-1 1/2h: demonstrations and audience participation, max. 20)


**COMING SOON ** Introduction to Chaos (talk)
This is a beginners guide to chaos. Using some very simple examples we will explore how chaos - rich complexity - can originate from apparently very simple systems.
(talk 1 h + demonstrations)


**COMING SOON ** Wave Power (talk)
Here in the UK we are sorrounded by the sea so we really should make use of the waves and wave power. This is an introduction to waves and the potential of wave power
click here for a mini film about wave power
(A-level and general public talk 1 h)


Astronomy 1 - a scientist's view of the universe (talk)
How do scientists know where we are and what we know about the universe? This talk is an introduction to the scientists view of the Universe.
(GCSE - A-level, general public, talk 1 h: and demonstrations)


Astronomy 2 - light and 'stuff' (matter) (talk)
Our universe is composed of light and matter. This is an introduction to what we know about light and 'stuff' (matter).
(A-level and general public talk 1 h)


10 trips to the Haute Savoie - high-up near Lake Geneva (talk)
I have been going up into the mountains around Lake Geneva (in the Haute Savoie, France-Switzerland) for almost 20 years. This talk is about camping out in wild places, the long horned mountain goats that live around this area as well as the optical phenomina you can see and general beauty of these wonderful foothills of the Alps.
(general public talk 1 h)


10 years of the Creative Science Centre (talk)
I set up the Creative Science Centre in 1990 while working with Harry Kroto at Sussex University. We were both doing many, many science workshops for all ages and I set up the CSC to get more people making things within science. Though this work many science workshops and talks have been created as well presentations for museums, science festivals and also my contributs to many TV programmes (COAST, Rough Science, Hollywood Science, Horizon etc.) - this is the story so far.
(general public ca. 1h)


Getting things to work (talk)
Nothing ever works out exactly the way you dreamt it would! In the process of trying to get something to work you have to try and understand how it works. When you start to do this you are being a scientist. This talk aims to help you make things and 'get things working'
(A-level and general public ca. 1h)


**COMING SOON ** Brighton graffiti: politics and science (talk)
I have lived in Brighton since 1990 and over the years have seen all sorts of brighton graffiti. This can often be very funny and often politically astute. I have also seen and photographed another, new kind of grafitti - science graffiti! Find out more in this talk
(A-level and general public ca. 1h)


In search of the Schumann resonance (talk)
The mosture and salts in the earth mean it is a fairly good conductor while the upper atmosphere is also conducting due to ionisation UV from Sun light. Radio waves can travel between these two layers. If the radio wave has a very long wavelength - the length of the circfumference of the Earth - the energy can build up and we can get a resonance. This was first predicted by the German physists Winfried Otto Schumann. The wavelengths are very large, the frequency very low (ca. 8 Hz) and the signals are very tiny. This is the story of my efforts to go in search of this Shumann resonance !
(ca. 1 hour)


Shake-a-gen (workshop)
A workshop exploring the science of electricity. We will build what is perhaps the simplest of electrical generators, one that can light an LED and so simply demonstrate how electricity is produced from magnetism, wire and mechanical movement. It also helps us to understand the differences between current and voltage as well as AC and DC.
click here for details of the shake-a-gen (and other gens)
(GCSE to A Level Workshop ca. 2 h: max. 20, Note: there is a cost per person to cover the cost of materials)


Christmas LED workshop
A practical electronics workshop making up circuits of coloured LED's to decorate homemade Christmas cards and trees. The children will need to make the cards and trees before the workshop and bring them along for decoration with their homemade circuit
click here for more details
(Upper primary to secondary: ca. 1-2 h: max. 20, Note: there is a cost per person to cover the cost of materials)


The Moon Clock (talk and workshop)
This workshop deals with the Moon and its orbit around the Earth including the explanation of the phases of the Moon as well as tides, eclipses and other astronomical events. In addition to this we will make (and keep) an electronic Moon Clock. This simple circuit using only a handful of components includes 12 LED lights and an PIC integrated circuit. The lights show the phase of the Moon, allowing us to clock the phases over the lunar month.
click here for more details
(GCSE to A Level Workshop ca. 2 h: max. 20, Note: there is a cost per person to cover the cost of materials)


Light and fibre optics (workshop)
What is light, where does it come from, how is it made? Find out and also learn about fibre optics and why and how it is used in communication such as our global internet and telephone networks.
(secondary: ca. 1 hour)


Geodesic Domes (Talk and workshop)
The Epcote Centre (Disney USA) and the Eden Project are examples of Geodesic domes - structures originally designed by the inventor and visionary Richard Buckminster Fuller (Bucky Fuller). We will learn all about these fascinating structures and make large (3m) models.
click here for pictures of geodesic domes
(ca. Upper primary to secondary: 1 to 1/2 hour)


Simple Radio (talk and workshop)
Every second of the day we are surrounded by radio waves carrying music and news in many languages. We take radio for granted but it forms the basis of our TV's, broadcast and mobile phone networks as well as allowing global communications for internet and space travel. Here we build simple radios to pick up music and news programs on the medium wave band – and they don't even need a battery!
(GCSE to A-level: 1 1/2h)


** NO LONGER RUNNING ** Fire extinguisher workshop ** NO LONGER RUNNING **
The aim is to invent, design, construct and test a device that can, on-demand (and not before), put out a fire. We use very basic apparatus (plastic water bottles, tubing, cable ties, glue ...) to make up vinagar and bicarbonate reactions to produce CO2 and foam and find that liquorice extracts to make the foam more permanent. We use the devices to extinquish a small fire.
(GCSE to A-level: 1 1/2h)





click here to find out what people say about Jonathan's CSC work

Short Biography of JPH
Dr Jonathan Hare is a freelance science communicator. His PhD work with Sir Harry Kroto lead to a method of making the football molecule C60, Buckminsterfullerene. He has worked as a 'Time Lord' at the National Physical laboratory working with atomic clocks as well as with British Gas developing a gas powered car. He has been on all the BBC / OU Rough Science (6 series) and Hollywood Science (2 series) TV programmes. He has also appeared on COAST and Horizon TV programmes. He is currently a visiting lecturer in science communication in the Physics department at Sussex University. He loves making things, juggling, hill walking, amateur radio and painting.




Jonathan Hare presents a range of science talks, workshops and resources.
To book a talk or workshop please check avalability on my
schedule (click here) and contact me to confirm details of events, avaliability and costs:
e-mail: j.p.hare@sussex.ac.uk

click here for a booking form:
booking form (doc file, only 36 kB)

click here for latest Creative Science Centre news

click here to find out what people say about Jonathan's work

click here for summary outreach page

Dr Jonathan Hare, E-mail: jphcreativescience@gmail.com

NOTE: Although none of the experiments shown in this site represent a great hazard, neither the Creative Science Centre,
Jonathan Hare nor The University of Sussex can take responsiblity for your own experiments based on these web pages.


THE CREATIVE SCIENCE CENTRE


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