Cycle through the solar system wins Millennium Award
Posted on 24 May 1999
Dr Peter Thompson in the Department of Psychology, Dave Coulthard, in the Department of Physics and Willy Hoedeman, in the Directorate of Facilities Management have been awarded £6,190 to construct a scale model of the solar system along the York to Selby Sustrans cycle path. On its completion, Thompson, Coulthard and Hoedeman may become 'Millennium Fellows'.
In the model, the Sun will be represented by a sphere nearly 3 metres in diameter to be sited near the bridge under the A64 bypass, with all the inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars falling before Bishopthorpe (which conveniently falls in the Asteroid Belt). Pluto will be a ball less than 1 cm in diameter some 7 miles down the path near Riccall. The scheme, which will include an educational pack for schools and a website to use in conjunction with the model, will be completed this Autumn.
The general purpose of the Millennium Awards is 'to enable those with expertise in science, engineering and technology to gain skills and materials with the intention, through their best endeavours, of putting that experience at the service of the community'. The community partner in this venture is Sustrans, who own the cycle route. The award-winners also hope to enlist the help of schoolchildren, particularly from the Knavesmire Primary School, where Peter Thompson and Dave Coulthard run an after-school Science Club and the Woodcraft Folk, where Willy Hoedeman is a local organiser.
Notes to editors:
- This project is funded through the Royal Society and British Association Millennium Awards Scheme, financed by the Millennium Commission, to encourage people's understanding of science, engineering and technology in the community.
- Peter Thompson is senior lecturer in Psychology, Dave Coulthard is Chief Physics Technician, and Willy Hoedeman is Environmental Co-ordinator and Mechanical Services Engineer at the University of York.