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News from the Ecsite-uk Office: sciZmic project wins more funding and seeks new partners
Developments in the sector: ReDiscover, the science centre and museum renewal fund
Resources: Estelle Morris’ Commons statement 'Investment for Reform'
Diary dates: September 10th Ecsite-uk AGM; September 16-18th Museums Association conference; November 14-16th Ecsite annual conference
NEWS FROM THE Ecsite-uk OFFICE: sciZmic project wins more funding and seeks new partners
After a successful pilot phase, sciZmic, the science discovery club network (a joint project of Ecsite-uk and the BA for Science Year) has been awarded further funding through to June 2003.
sciZmic aims to link clubs of all kinds to each other, and to their local science discovery centre. We are now looking for more science centres in England to join At-Bristol, Kelham Island – Sheffield, The International Centre for Life - Newcastle, and the Observatory – Herstmonceux, as hubs in the network.
sciZmic provides funding for a science clubs co-ordinator at each centre, and support for science club events and projects. The co-ordinators then run events for clubs, work with clubs in their communities, and encourage schools and communities to start science discovery clubs.
If your centre would like to join sciZmic, please contact Rosalind Mist, project manager
ros@scizmic.net
For background, check: http://ecsite-uk.net/projects/
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR: ReDiscover fund
ReDiscover is a joint venture between the Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and the Wolfson Foundation to support science education and engagement with the public. The Fund has a total of £33 million available, to be awarded in four funding rounds across three years.
Eligible organisations must attract a minimum of 30,000 visitors a year and have been in operation for at least one year.
Details can be found at:
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/en/1/mismiscnegrared.html [ archived link - may not
be active ]
or contact Debbie Vincent rediscover@wellcome.ac.uk.
From September, an application form and a set of guidelines will be available to download as PDF documents.
RESOURCES: Statement by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
Colin Johnson (Chair of Ecsite-uk) identifies Estelle Morris' recent statement to the House of Commons in this month's 'Think Bubble'.
On 16 July the Secretary of State told the House of Commons: ‘the record £12.8 billion increase in education spending in England over the next three years will help fund a radical reform of the comprehensive system and a dramatic rise in secondary school standards.'
What's clear is that the majority of this money will be devolved straight to the schools, and that is where the spending decisions will lie. At Ecsite-uk’s meeting with Ms Morris (22 July), she was keen to understand more of what the non-formal sector contributes. No money is on the table, but she pointed up the importance of working towards common objectives and invited us to meet her officials to build greater understanding. Science Centres will do well to reflect upon her Commons statement and the major document – Investment for Reform – which lies behind it.
The press release about the Secretary of State's Commons statement is at
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2002_0148 [ archived link - may
not be active ]
Investment for Reform is at
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/2002spendingreview/ [ archived link - may not be active
]
DIARY DATES: September 10th Ecsite-uk AGM; September 16-18th Museums Association conference; November 14-16th Ecsite annual conference
Ecsite-uk holds its AGM at the National Space Centre, Leicester, on 10 September. This is the week of the BA’s Annual Festival (9-13 September), also in Leicester this year – an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone!
The Ecsite-uk meeting (12noon to 5pm) includes free entry to visit the National Space Centre; the AGM business; and a panel session to explore the role of theatre in science communication. The panel is chaired by Gillian Pearson, Oxford Trust, who led the Wellcome Trust’s ‘Science Centrestage’ project in celebration of Science Year.
The Museums Association Annual Conference and Exhibition will be 16-18th September
at Manchester International Convention Centre.
For details, check http://www.museumsassociation.org [ archived link - may not
be active ] or call Conference Information: 020 7426 6940
Ecsite's 2002 Annual Conference will be 14-16th November, at South Kensington.
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