Science comic book Kickstarter launches in Cardiff

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to help bring a series of inspirational science-based comic books to schoolchildren all over the world.

The comic book trilogy, entitled Ada’s Adventure in Science, is the brainchild of honorary lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy Dr Edward Gomez, from Las Cumbres Observatory, and local independent illustrator Laura Sorvala.

It follows the story of a young girl named Ada as she becomes curious about science and famous scientists as a child, before becoming a scientist at a university and taking part in a high-profile discovery as a member of an international project.

The stories contained within each of the books celebrate the accessibility of science and promote the idea that anyone can do it, regardless of their background or situation. Each book emphasises the importance of asking questions, developing theories and collaborating with one another.

A special exhibition showcasing and celebrating the comic books was launched at The Little Man Coffee Company in Cardiff on Wednesday 17 January, where Julie Morgan AM, Professor Patrick Sutton and Dr Lisa El Refaie were guest speakers. The exhibition will run until 4 February 2018.

The team have also launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds to distribute the comic books to schoolchildren all over the world and produce an accompanying educational activity.

With sufficient funds raised from the campaign, the team hope to compile the trilogy of comics into one single book with brand new artwork and send 20,000 of them to schoolchildren over the world. Donors to the cause will also get their own copy of Ada’s Adventure in Science.

At present, Dr Gomez and his team will distribute the comic books to schools in Wales in association with the Universe in a Classroom project. Some of the books have already been distributed through teacher training events, school workshops, and public exhibitions in Wales, California and the Netherlands.

“The books have become so popular amongst kids and adults at the events we’ve hosted that it has motivated us to seek crowd-funding to share Ada with a much wider audience and inspire kids around the world.”

The project has been supported by Las Cumbres Observatory, Welsh Government and Royal Astronomical Society.