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Community Seismology Programme Plus (CSP Plus)

Year Awarded

2023

Amount

€58,003

  • Organisation:Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS)
  • Audience:Post Primary Teachers - Senior Cycle
  • Format:Citizen Science
  • Location:Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Online

Project Summary

Community Seismology Programme Plus (CSP Plus) is an extension of the STEM outreach initiative CSP, launched in March 2023 by the Geophysics Section at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), in collaboration with Geological Survey Ireland. CSP aims to promote the use of affordable seismometers in schools, homes, and public institutions in Ireland. The primary objective of CSP Plus is to enhance the existing CSP by providing additional seismometers, web content, and workshops, particularly targeting disadvantaged groups.

We employ state-of-the-art ‘Raspberry Shake’ low-cost seismometers, which are widely recognised in the field of citizen seismology. These instruments are user-friendly, allowing for easy installation, and they transmit real-time data to a central service. Through this service, users can conveniently access seismic data and related products, such as earthquake locations, via mobile phone or computer desktop applications. The platform enables non-specialist users to gain insight into the work of seismologists and even collaborate with researchers on small scientific projects. This exposure to seismic data not only nurtures digital literacy and proficiency but also equips individuals, especially the youth, with skills vital for their future STEM careers.

Overall, the CSP Plus project aspires to create an engaged and knowledgeable community of citizen seismologists in Ireland, promoting STEM education, encouraging participation from under-represented groups, and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of geophysics and seismic activity.

Evaluation Findings

Challenges:

Challenge 1:
Teachers struggle to connect Raspberry Shake seismometer to the internet at their school.
Cause: Strict school network controls and limited on-site IT support, sometimes by external contractors.
Solution: Further improve setup guide and, where possible, provide IT onsite assistance for seismometer connection in schools.

Challenge 2:
Schools prefer purchasing a Raspberry Shake directly from DIAS compared to from manufacturer in Panama.
Cause: International ordering is complex and slow.
Solution: DIAS became an official reseller, maintaining local stock of Raspberry Shakes with Research Ireland’s support.

Challenge 3:
Communication with the community feels one-sided.
Cause: Lack of structured feedback channels.
Solution: Plan Zoom meet-ups giving users a platform to share feedback and let us know what they would like to see from QuakeShake to build two-way engagement.

Findings and Learning:

During the programme period, QuakeShake expanded its online reach and delivered one teacher CPD workshop in Portlaoise and one public workshop in Letterkenny Co. Donegal. Valuable feedback from participants and resource users was gathered throughout the programme. An evaluation report can be found at https://quakeshake.ie/reports/, the main findings and learnings are as follows:

1. Teachers are willing to travel long distances for in-person events, especially when workshops provide hands-on resources (e.g., laminated maps, lesson plans etc) and curriculum-aligned content. We learned that teachers would like more content they can tie into the curriculum for CBA and the new Environmental Society and Sustainability subject.

2. Workshops are a powerful form of engagement: participants are eager to apply learnings in real-world contexts, and the public shows strong interest into Irish earthquakes. Through monitoring local and global earthquakes Raspberry Shake hosts have developed a better understanding of seismology and its relevance in everyday life. The public enjoys engaging directly with professional seismologists when the content is presented in an easily comprehensible bridging the knowledge gap. Local media outlets (radio, newspapers) played a key role in ensuring strong workshop attendance.

3. Paid advertising was highly effective in reaching wider audiences, particularly when tied to timely seismic events, while videos drove more engagement than images despite higher production effort. The website functioned well as a central hub, supporting promotion, engagement, and follow-up learning.

4. Direct communication channels such as email and WhatsApp remain highly effective. Teachers face technical barriers (e.g., firewalls) when installing and connecting Raspberry Shakes compared to the general public. The current combination of online and in-person engagement seems to be working effectively. We would like
to increase our communication with community members and suggest running an online zoom for hosts of our Raspberry Shakes.

5. Since November 2024, five weak Donegal earthquakes were located solely with Raspberry Shake seismometers and not with our INSN professional stations. This demonstrates the scientific benefit of our outreach network and showing how schools and communities are actively contributing to real seismic discovery and national monitoring.