Public Information group
The PI group at FOM-Rijnhuizen is responsible for Public Information activities, with a focus on public information on nuclear fusion as an energy source of the future. The group promotes public knowledge on the work done at Rijnhuizen through a diverse set of activities, such as brochures, websites, press releases, and public lectures. The group actively promotes fusion energy in outreach activities such as the Fusion Road Show and more general presentations for students, politicians, the general public and for energy specialists.
Aims
- To obtain and keep the confidence, trust and support of the media, general public and other stakeholders for the scientific work on Rijnhuizen, by proactive and effective communication activities.
- To help guarantee continuity by enthusing school children and students to take up science as a career and take an interest in fusion energy.
Personnel
| Function | Name | Telephone | |
| Head of PI | Gieljan de Vries | devries [in_the_middle] rijnhuizen [dot] nl | +31(0)30 6096 902 |
| PR Officer ITER-NL | Maryse Huisman-Stam | huisman [in_the_middle] rijnhuizen [dot] nl | +31(0)30 6096 831 |
| PI Officer | Arian Visser | avisser [in_the_middle] rijnhuizen [dot] nl | +31(0)30 6096 836 |
Highlights
Energy, Powering Your World
In 2002, a 60-page booklet “Energy, Power Your World” was made as part of a European project “Couldn’t be without it”. The booklet introduced energy from a conceptual, technical and social point of view. The booklet was distributed over 2500 schools in Europe. In the mean time, the booklet has been translated into six languages (English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, German, French) by EFDA, and is distributed in Europe upon request by EFDA.
Educational Poster on fusion
In 2006, an A0 education poster on fusion energy was produced with the help of an external graphics design company. The poster is distributed by EFDA. In the mean time, the poster has been translated into 13 languages and is used throughout Europe.
Educational CD-ROM "Fusion, power for future generations"
In 2003, an educational CD-ROM on fusion was produced for EFDA. It was produced in 60.000 copies and distributed in Europe. In the mean time the CD is available in seven languages, and is reprinted on a regular basis. The total number of copies is more than 120.000.
216 Fusion Road Shows in the Netherlands and abroad
The Fusion Road Show, an interactive multimedia show with live experiments, has been delivered 216 times in the period 2002-2007. The audience varied from secondary school students, through teachers, to government officials from the ministry of Education and Science.
Exhibition and dinner debate in the European Parliament
From 24-27 December 2005, a fusion exhibition was organized in the European Parliament, Brussels. During a dinner debate, some 90 people discussed fusion as a potential energy source, including some 30 Members of European Parliament or their assistants.
Support to EFDA and ITER Public Information activities
From November 2005 until July 2007, the head of Rijnhuizen PI group was active first as Head of public information activities of the European Fusion Development Agreement, and later as acting Head of Communication in the newly formed ITER Organization. In this capacity, communication strategies were developed for EFDA and ITER, and many PI initiatives were started.
Publications
- Energy, Powering Your World, M.T. Westra, general booklet on energy, 60 pages, 2002
- Fusion, an energy option for the future, M.T. Westra, CD-rom used in EU fusion Public Information, printed in 60.000 copies, 2003
- Energieopties voor de 21e eeuw, M. Beurskens, H. de Coninck and E. Boeker, internet publication Wiardi Beckman Stichting, June 1, 2004
- Kernfusie: een zon op aarde, M.T. Westra, Actuele Onderwerpen, 24 pages, 2006
- Fusie-energie, schonere energie voor de toekomst, Educational poster on fusion, M.T. Westra, Eric Verdult, 2006
Annual Report 2008
Public Information
Education, Training, Outreach and Public Information
Fusion Road Show
The development of the Fusion Road Show is one of the most important highlights of the PI group. It is an interactive show with many live demonstrations in which the public is made familiar with nuclear fusion as an energy source of the future. Niek Lopes Cardozo developed the show in 1999. It was presented for the first time to a general audience during the 26th European Physics Society Conference on Controlled Fusion and Plasma Physics in Maastricht. Currently the show is presented twenty times per year at secondary schools, and as part of the FOM activities on science communication. The show has been performed over 250 times since its premiere in June 1999.
The show is suitable for a great range of audiences. The contents and level of interaction with the audience can easily be adapted to the level of the public: secondary school classes, general public, physics students, politicians, and energy specialists. Whichever the audience, the Fusion Road Show is always received with great enthusiasm.
