Marine Science Meets Art

Collaboration between Marine Scotland Science and the Glasgow School of Art is bringing together creative talent with scientific endeavour.

Aberdeen-based Marine Scotland Science (MSS), the government division responsible for delivering expert marine and fisheries scientific advice, is working with the Glasgow School of Art to mentor Product Design Engineering (PDE) students, a course run jointly with the University of Glasgow.

Student Deborah McGill, from Newton Mearns, spent 18 months on the mentoring programme, as she worked on her final degree project to develop a portable sediment trap design. Sediment traps are the apparatus used to assess the condition of sea water or water in lakes or lochs.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"Scientific innovation can help unlock many challenges which face us today - from safeguarding our native species to tackling climate change - and it's vital that we nurture the talent of the next generation of inventors and scientists.

"Therefore, I'm delighted that Marine Scotland Science and Glasgow School of Art are collaborating to give some students the opportunity to apply their product design knowledge to our cutting-edge marine and fisheries science research. I'm pleased that our marine scientists will be able to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with young people like Deborah and I hope that many more students get involved in the future."

Deborah was the first product design engineering student to work alongside MSS and it is hoped that more Glasgow School of Art students will follow in her footsteps. A prototype of Deborah's development, which is in the process of being patented, was included in the 2011 Product Design Engineering Degree show.

She said:

"The criteria for the project, set by the lecturer at the University of Glasgow, was to find out why sediment traps are used, who by and to ultimately re-design one to give a more portable solution to users who wished to deploy it in lakes and lochs.

"I've found working with Marine Scotland Science was really worthwhile, as it gave me an insight into how scientists use this apparatus, while providing expert guidance and advice as my prototype was developed and refined."

Craig Whittet, PDE head of department, said:

"I am very pleased with the outcome of the collaboration between Deborah and Marine Scotland Science and I am positive that there will be many other projects where we can encourage further co-operation between our students and MSS.

"Deborah's success and achievements will encourage other PDE students to take advantage of this unique opportunity and there have already been advanced discussions between PDE and MSS as to how we can take this forward in the future."

Deborah was mentored by John Dunn from the Marine Ecosystems Team at MSS, who himself has designed and built professional sediment traps. Mr Dunn said:

"Sediment traps are usually used in the open sea, therefore they are quite large and heavy. What was required for this project was a solution that was collapsible and easily portable, for use in remote lochs. I supported Deborah and directed her towards scientific research that would help her understand the problems associated with these types of samplers.

"Gradually, as her knowledge grew, she produced her ideas and ran them past me. I provided feedback and she would then rework her proposals and send me the next design. Her final design innovation is the product of dedication and ingenuity."

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