London, 14 June 2021 – The 1001 Inventions online exhibit “1001 Journeys from Alchemy to Chemistry” launched in March has now engaged more than 50,000 people globally. The Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Fund helped bring this 1001 Inventions exhibit to Google Arts and Culture – Google’s freely accessible digital platform bringing world’s treasures online.
The exhibit features immersive stories, engaging videos, films, and images as well as links to educational hands-on activities. Collectively, these high-quality assets creatively illustrate basic concepts about chemistry and its relevance to daily lives. As such it helps spark interest to study and pursue careers in chemical sciences and inspire the next generation of potential chemists.
The online exhibit introduces fascinating historical discoveries about the rise of the science of chemistry. It brings to life stories from the history of science by pioneers from different backgrounds and cultures. It focuses on the remarkable work of the 8th-century polymath Jabir ibn Hayyan, also known as Geber. Presenting achievements of lesser-known pioneers help introduce chemistry to people of all backgrounds promoting diversity and inclusion.
“1001 Journeys from Alchemy to Chemistry” online exhibit extends the learning about chemistry and its applications and demonstrate its relevance to our daily lives to thousands of people around the world. This exhibit offers an excellent opportunity to help increase the visibility of chemists and chemistry and to reach audiences who may not be necessarily exposed to inclusive learning. Parents find the exhibit valuable in introducing their children to chemistry through fun and educational content while teachers find the resources useful in creatively complementing the school curriculum.
The exhibit is launched as part of the successful “1001 Inventions: Journeys from Alchemy to Chemistry” educational initiative, launched in partnership with UNESCO, to celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019). The global educational initiative was launched at UNESCO HQ in Paris in January 2019 and was then featured at the China Science Festival, All-Russian Science Festival, Berlin Science Week, the Royal Society of Chemistry in London and the Maker Faire Cairo in Egypt. The initiative continues to help inspire a future generation of chemists while promoting diversity and intercultural appreciation online and through global events in partnership with museums, science centres, festivals, schools, and libraries.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British based organisation that creates international educational campaigns and initiatives aiming to spark young people’s interest in science. 1001 Inventions believes in the power of culture and storytelling to encourage innovation and promote diversity and inclusion. As such, 1001 Inventions produces themed transmedia productions uncovering fascinating contributions of lesser-known pioneers from Arab, Asian and other Eastern cultures. Such creative public engagement productions cover a wide array of themes including health and wellbeing, machines and robotics, chemistry, and its applications as well as animals and nature.
1001 Inventions has engaged with over 450 million people across the globe through effective grassroots outreach as well as working with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, the United Nations World Food Programme, National Geographic, and leading academics to produce interactive exhibits, shorts films, live shows, books, and educational resources that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
About The Royal Society of Chemistry
We are an international organisation connecting chemical scientists with each other, with other scientists, and with society as a whole. Founded in 1841 and based in London, UK, we have an international membership of over 50,000.
We use the surplus from our global publishing and knowledge business to give thousands of chemical scientists the support and resources required to make vital advances in chemical knowledge.
We develop, recognise and celebrate professional capabilities, and we bring people together to spark new ideas and new partnerships.
We support teachers to inspire future generations of scientists, and we speak up to influence the people making decisions that affect us all.
We are a catalyst for the chemistry that enriches our world.
[youtube v=”U9muF-Ebcqw”]