New colouring books bring CATRIN’s research to the little ones
Science you can colour in. This is precisely the purpose of the new CATRIN colouring books, which are yet another way of bringing the science from CATRIN, Palacký University to the youngest audience. The colouring book, which was launched at this year’s Researchers’ Night, was created in collaboration with Patrick Trouillas, the author of the CATRIN science comics.
“When I was offered the chance to illustrate a colouring book featuring Begonia and Herman, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Although it involved a fairly large amount of work that needed to be completed in a relatively short time, I threw myself into the project like a child. I really enjoyed it,” revealed Trouillas, who works at CATRIN in the Carbon Nanostructures, Biomolecules and Simulations research group.
CATRIN colouring book, subtitled ‘Herman and Begonia on a Journey to Discovery’, introduce children to some research topics, explaining why each particular area of research is important. They will learn why it is necessary to combat dangerous bacteria, why an experiment from CATRIN is going into space, and, for example, that sensors are like little detectives. Apart from colouring, there are other tasks for the children to complete.
The French scientist has been helping with the science popularisation for several years. Among other things, he is the author of comic strips that appear in CATRIN’s newsletters and explain specific research findings. The scientists themselves are always featured in the comic strips and involved in developing the story. “I have a long-standing connection with Olomouc and feel very closely linked to CATRIN. All the scientific work I have done with my Czech colleagues in the past years has been fruitful and motivating. Our more recent collaboration in the field of scientific illustration and comics has also been a success. I greatly appreciate the support and encouragement I’ve received from CATRIN, and I enjoy developing my skills through the excellent scientific projects carried out in Olomouc,” confirmed Trouillas.
While comics are also aimed at adults with an interest in science, colouring books are target a completely different group. This must have been on the minds of their creators from the PR department, scientists themselves as well as the illustrator.
“To be honest, it was a new challenge for me. In the end, however, I managed to achieve the desired result while remaining true to my own style. At least, I hope so! The children will be the ones to tell us in the end,” concluded Trouillas.
The CATRIN colouring books will be used at public outreach events, ranging from Researchers’ Night and the Academy of Sciences Week to excursions of the research centre.
