APRIL 2007
Contents
Training on management of European projects
Institute of Physics Schools and Colleges Lecture 2008
Science and Engineering Clubs scheme launched
Scottish Executive supports science engagement
BBC Focus magazine – events & exhibitions listings
Doctor Who exhibition opens in Manchester
Chief Guide journeys into outer space at Eureka!
Futurelab education and technology resources
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 1
Thinking ahead - 2008-2012
The next few years are filled with exciting opportunities for the science centre and museum sector to work together to support national and international events and anniversaries. Examples of these include:
- Darwin 200 (2009)
- International Year of Astronomy (2009)
- Cultural Olympiad (2008-2012)
- London Olympics and Paralympics (2012)
If you have ideas about how science centres and museums might like to get involved with these or other celebrations, please send us your suggestions, or details of your existing plans, via enquiries@ecsite-uk.net.
NEWS FROM ECSITE IN BRUSSELS 1
Training on management of European projects
Ecsite is pleased to announce a one day training course on management of European projects, as part of the Ecsite Annual Conference pre-conference programme.
The course has been developed with the help of experienced trainers, and offers guidance and tools for successfully preparing, writing and managing EU projects. It will take place on the 29 May at the Lisbon Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis (institutions are entitled to apply for up to 2 places), with preference given to Ecsite members.
Registration forms can be found at www.ecsite-conference.net on the pre-conference page.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
Wellcome Trust - Arts Awards
The new Arts Awards funding scheme has been launched by the Wellcome Trust to support arts projects that engage with biomedical science.
The scheme is part of the £3.2 million Wellcome Trust Engaging Science programme. It aims to build on the success of previous initiatives (Sciart, Pulse and Science on Stage and Screen) and bring together a diverse range of individuals and organisations to develop innovative and highly creative activities.
A call for applications is currently open. Full details can be found at: www.wellcome.ac.uk/arts
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
Institute of Physics Schools and Colleges Lecture 2008
The Institute of Physics is seeking an ‘enthusiastic and inspiring physicist’ to develop and deliver their new interactive Schools and Colleges Lecture for 2008 (designed to reach students aged primarily between 14-16 year olds across Great Britain at approximately 35 venues).
Over the last 20 years a series of acclaimed physics communicators have shown how classroom science relates to current fields of physics. These include: Light Fantastic: The Science of Colour (Pete Vukusic), Gravity, Gas and Stardust (Pete Edwards), and Our Planet, Our Future (Karen Bultitude, Laura Grant). www.iop.org/activity/education/Events/Schools_and_College_%20Lecture_Series/page_9420.html
Anyone interested in taking on this prestigious role should submit a two page proposal outlining the topic, previous experience and indicative costs before 1 May 2007. For queries or to submit a proposal please contact: joanne.page@iop.org
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 3
Science and Engineering Clubs scheme launched
A new after school clubs scheme, aimed at offering extra curricular inspiration and getting students switched on to science and engineering, has been launched. 250 schools from across England will take part in this £5 million initiative, funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), to develop After School Science and Engineering Clubs.
The Pilot is designed to reach 11-14 years olds, and each of the participating schools will receive £17,000 over two years to help “inspire pupils and expand their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths outside of the classroom”.
The scheme is being delivered and managed through a consortium of partners, led by SETNET (the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network) and including:
- The British Association for the Advancement of Science
- The network of Science Learning Centres
- Ecsite-uk (the national network of science centres and museums)
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
- The Association for Science Education
For further information on the After Schools Science and Engineering Clubs please visit: www.setnet.org.uk/teachers/After_School_Science_and_Engineering_Clubs.cfm
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 4
Scottish Executive supports science engagement
The Scottish Executive is offering a total of £260,000 to help support science engagement projects in Scotland during 2007-2008. The aim of the grant programme is to support projects that would otherwise not go ahead.
Activities that complement and enhance the school curriculum, take science into communities, provide professional development for science communicators, or further the aims of the Scottish Science Centres Network Strategy, will be eligible for funding.
Further details can be found at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/16607/Scienceengagement
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 1
BBC Focus magazine – events and exhibitions listings
Ecsite-uk members are invited to send in details of events and new exhibitions that they would like included in the BBC Focus magazine's listings section.
Those interested in promoting events through this publication are asked to send details in at least 6 weeks beforehand (information is required in the first week of the month, to be included in listings not for the following month, but for the one after that eg June events to be received by start of April). Note: Please do not send any photos.
Contact Timandra Harkness on mail@timandraharkness.com for further information.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 2
Doctor Who exhibition opens in Manchester
Get Up-Close to Cybermen and many other Doctor Who monsters at the largest Doctor Who exhibition in the UK, now open at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.
The exhibition includes actual props and costumes, and was launched to coincide with the start of the new BBC TV series.
www.doctorwhoexhibitions.com/manchester.html
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 3
Chief Guide journeys into outer space at Eureka!
Girlguiding UK Chief Guide Liz Burnley had a spectacular tour of the solar system when she joined Brownies from York and Lincoln to become a space explorer for the day, at the Eureka! The Museum for Children in Halifax.
Following on from the success of Go For It! with sciZmic Space days for Girl Guides (funded by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council), the Space Challenge event on 4 March was seen as part of a pilot for a series of possible Centenary Celebrations events in 2010, aimed at helping Brownies gain the Stargazer badges.
Over 1000 Brownies have taken part in one of 12 Space Challenge Days at Eureka! since the start of 2007, and have travelled from as far away as Scarborough, Lincolnshire and Northumberland.
Ecsite-uk is interested in hearing about other projects and events aimed at youth organisations. Please send details to enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
RESOURCE 1
Centre of the Cell online
The Centre of the Cell online: www.centreofthecell.org website was launched on 14 March and features more than 150 pages of content, videos and interactive games. The website has been designed to provide ‘virtual’ visitors with the opportunity to learn about cell biology and biomedical research in the same way that visitors to the centre do.
Four main topics are covered: All About Cells, Medical Research, Ethics and Patient Journeys. Further content areas, interactive games, classroom resources and an online 'Debating Chamber' will also be added as the site is developed further.
RESOURCE 2
Futurelab education and technology resources
Futurelab have recently published a number of new publications that review developments in the education, technology and creative sectors. Topics featured include transforming learning spaces, mobile technologies and learning, and teacher innovation.
- Handbook on 'Learning with handheld technologies'
www.futurelab.org.uk/research/handbooks/05_01.htm - 'What if...? Re-imagining learning spaces' report
www.futurelab.org.uk/learningspaces - VISION (Futurelab's free bi-annual magazine)
www.futurelab.org.uk/viewpoint/vision.htm - New learning networks
www.futurelab.org.uk/research/opening_education/learning_networks_01.htm
DIARY DATES
Children Online
organised by New Media Knowledge (NMK)
University of Westminster, London: 17 April
Children are growing up in a media revolution, a world where everyone can be their own publisher, where the boundaries of social mores and authority is eroding. What does myspace and youtube mean to tots and tweens? How do we ‘grown-ups’ communicate and engage with children and youth culture in this environment?
Find out more about this one day event and how to register at:
[archived page - link removed]
Science Communication Conference 2007
London: 14 & 15 May
Science Communication Conference 2007 will take place over two days with the second day focusing on climate change and the first on more generic and varied aspects of public engagement. Each day the conference will run sessions in three strands - engaging to inspire & educate, engaging to involve and engaging through the media and PR. Keynote speaker for day two will be Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Science and Innovation.
The conference is jointly organised by the BA and the Royal Society.
For further information visit: britishscienceassociation.org
TextWorkshop Training Day
The Churchill Museum, London: 16 May
This practical and interactive workshop covers top tips that can quickly make your text more accessible, appealing and effective at getting your message across.
Further details go to: www.textworkshop.co.uk
Ecsite Annual Conference 2007
Lisbon: 31 May to 2 June
Now firmly installed in its early summer slot, the Ecsite Annual Conference 2007 will – as in 2005 and ’06 – use new formats for sessions, more interactivity, more debates, more controversies, more networking opportunities…
AC2007 is hosted by the Pavilion of Knowledge.
Online registration open at: www.ecsite-conference.net
For details contact Aliki Giannakopoulou:
agiannakopoulou@ecsite.net
www.ecsite.net
Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) Annual Conference
Edmonton: 7 to 9 June
The conference offers sessions on Creativity, Current Science, Aboriginal audiences, plus the Demonstration Showcase, Café Scientifique, and an expanded Tradeshow. Speakers include technology guru Tod Maffin (Keynote) and Andrea Bandelli, specialist in citizen engagement program DECIDE.
Early Bird Deadline May 11, 2007. Visit: www.canadiansciencecentres.ca
5th Science Centre World Congress
Toronto: 15 to 20 June
Under the theme ‘Science Centres as Agents of Change’ the congress will bring together science centre leaders from around the globe for a full programme including invited keynote speakers, parallel and poster sessions. The congress is hosted by the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto.
CALL FOR SESSION PROPOSALS NOW OPEN The session proposal submission form and full details are available on the congress website: www.5scwc.org. The deadline for receipt of proposals is April 15, 2007.
BIG Event 2007
25-27 July 2007 at Magna Science Adventure Centre
The BIG Event is relevant not only for people running science centres and museums, but for artists, presenters, archaeologists, educators, students, front of house staff, evaluators and anyone involved in interactive communication whatever their field.
Keep up to date with all the Event details at www.big.uk.com/events,
or join the mailing list by sending an email to event@big.uk.com
Ecsite-uk
Dr Louise Webb
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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