O’r 18–20 Hydref, wnaeth Techniquest paru â’r National Oceanography Centre a’r Natural Environment Research Council UKRI i ddarparu Archwiliwch Ein Planed, sef penwythnos am ddim oedd yn cynnwys darlithiau, gweithdai a gweithgareddau rhyngweithiol.
Yn ogystal â mwynhau’r safle llawn, cafodd ein hymwelwyr siawns prin i ddarganfod mwy am fywyd morloi gwyllt, gwisgo offer archwilwyr Antarctig, a chymryd taith o’r Royal Research Ship, y James Cook.
Felly, pam oedd trefnu penwythnos fel hwn mor bwysig?
Dywedodd Prif Weithredwr NOC, Dr John Siddorn: “Engaging with schools, the public, policy makers and businesses is incredibly important to us.
“Events like this provide an opportunity to demonstrate how ocean science and technological innovation has an impact on all of our daily lives, whether it’s showing how the ocean currents influence our weather, or highlighting the importance of plankton on the entire global ecosystem — the ocean affects us all!”
Dywedodd Cadeirydd Weithredol NERC, Professwr Louise Heathwaite: “It is a wonderful opportunity to bring to life and make accessible the science NERC funds — sharing the benefits of research and innovation and inspiring the next generation.
“By bringing together scientist, policymakers, and the public, we aim to spark curiosity and help everyone understand the critical role of environmental science in solving our world’s environmental challenges. This event demonstrates how working together and involving a wide range of diverse communities is key in our journey towards a sustainable future.”
Cafodd disgyblion ysgol gynradd ar draws Cymru eu croesawu ar ddydd Gwener 18 Hydref fel gwesteion gyntaf y penwythnos, gyda bron 450 yn mynychu o 11 ysgolion gwahanol.
Ac ar nos Gwener, wnaeth NERC a NOC dal digwyddiad VIP yn Techniquest a welodd cynrychiolwyr o’r gymuned gwyddoniaeth amgylcheddol Cymru ymuno i ddathlu eu heffaith yng Nghymru.
Ar ôl croesawu’r gwesteion, dywedodd Prif Weithredwr Techniquest, Sue Wardle: “It is an honour to welcome you all to our beautiful science and discovery centre to kick off this wonderful weekend of activities celebrating all forms of environmental science.
“Techniquest’s mission is to inspire curiosity about life and the world around us by presenting STEAM topics — science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics — in a fun, engaging way that invites everyone, no matter their age, to discover and learn. That’s why we were so excited by this partnership. It encapsulates everything we stand for at Techniquest: it’s interactive, it’s inclusive, it brings science and STEAM to life, and, most importantly — it’s fun.
“Today, 450 young people have had the opportunity visit the showcase, and 51 teenagers have had a tour of the RRS James Cook.
“These students are from schools that don’t normally engage with Techniquest, often because it’s difficult to afford to travel here, so it’s been extra special to welcome them here today too and I know they really enjoyed their experience.
“Our role, and the role of science centres everywhere, is an important one. We bring science to life, spark imaginations and encourage discovery. To maintain the momentum needed to make science interesting and accessible to as many people as possible takes support and collaboration.
“This event is a wonderful example of a collaboration that will connect with new audiences and inspire visitors to learn more about how research can support our environment.”
Fe groesawsom ni mwy na 2,500 ymwelwyr dros y penwythnos, yn ogystal â chyrff fel NERC, NOC, y British Antarctic Survey, CO₂RE, a mwy, gyda darlithiau o arbenigwyr y neu feysydd yn cael eu dal yn y Theatr Wyddoniaeth.
Roedd yna hefyd gwesteion arbennig yma ar y penwythnos — wnaeth grŵp canu gwerin Fairport Convention mynedu Archwiliwch Ein Planed a chymryd taith o’r James Cook, a wnaeth y Dirprwy Prif Weinidog Huw Irranca-Davies ymweld â ni ar ddydd Gwener a dydd Sadwrn.
Dywedodd Dr Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, Cyfarwyddwr Newidiad a Dylanwad yn BAS: “Events like this are so important to put on because the work everyone does here affects everyone every day.
“Being able to show young boys and girls what we do in an interactive way is really important, too.
“My favourite part of the weekend has probably been having the schools in [on Friday], and getting them to engage with the equipment we’ve brought.”
A chafodd y rheiny digon ffodus i archebu tocynnau profiad arbennig ar eu hymweliadau — taith o long ymchwil go iawn, y RRS James Cook.
Cyrhaeddodd y llong yn NOC yn 2006, ac ers hynny wedi ymgymryd ymchwil morol hanfodol ar draws y byd, o’r trofannau i’r Cylch y Gogledd.
Mae’n treulio dros 10 mis ar y tro yn hwylio, yn pigo lan criwiau o ymchwilwyr am gyfnodau o 6–8 wythnos. Mae Bae Caerdydd y lleoliad diweddaraf ar restr sy’n cynnwys Yr Ynys Las, Guadeloupe, Barbados a Phanamâ.
Cafodd yr ymwelwyr y siawns i glywed o Gapten y llong, James Gwinnell, a’r criw, cymryd luniau â Boaty McBoatface, a dysgu amdano’r ymchwil werthfawr sy’n cael ei arwain gan wyddonwyr o’r safon uchaf.
Dywedodd Phil Jones, a wnaeth mynychu ar ddydd Sadwrn gyda’i deulu: “We did a tour of the ship and the kids absolutely loved it. We didn’t think it’d be that big!
“We’ve spent the rest of the day [at Techniquest] just trying all the new stalls — it’s been a really good experience.”
Rydym ni eisiau dweud diolch o galon i NERC a NOC, pob arddangoswyr ar lawr Techniquest dros y penwythnos, yr arbenigwyr y gwnaeth darparu darlithiau yn y Theatr, a phob ymwelwyr am wneud Archwiliwch Ein Planed digwyddiad bythgofiadwy.