DECEMBER 2006
Contents
Science & Society theme newsletter
Science centre data collection
LoveSport successful in Liverpool
DIARY DATES: sciencehorizons Working Lunches; Science and Society: Closing the Gap; Ecsite Annual Conference
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 1
Project funding available
OSI (DTI) and DfES, jointly, are making a limited amount of funding available over two financial years 2006-08. Bids are now invited from small consortia of science centres to pilot enrichment activities (on site, or through outreach) that will promote effective collaborative working, complement – without duplicating – existing Government initiatives, and actively drive best practice in our sector.
Closing date for bids is 5pm, Monday 15 January.
To support the bidding process, you are invited to attend an applicants'
workshop on 9 January 2007, 2-6pm at the Dana Centre, 165 Queen's Gate, London
SW7 5HD. To reserve your place at the workshop, please email
sceag@ecsite-uk.net.
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 2
Christmas greetings!
With all best wishes from the Ecsite-uk team for 2007.
NEWS FROM ECSITE IN BRUSSELS
Science & Society theme newsletter
The next Ecsite newsletter will be on the theme of 'Science and Society', ie the way that Ecsite members are achieving the transition from the "Public Understanding of Science" agenda to a "Public Engagement" agenda – much more inclusive, much more listening, talking WITH, not talking TO.
You surely have programmes that fit into that philosophy! So, please send me a brief piece for the Listings section: 2-line summary; 70-words detail; 1 digi pic of maximum size 2MB. By 29 December at latest.
Send to enquiries@ecsite-uk.net.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Science centre data collection
Following receipt of OSI/DfES funding, Ecsite-uk has commissioned independent research to extend and refine previous science centre surveys, to demonstrate the specific contributions they make to science engagement and life-long learning. This work will be conducted by Ben Gammon and Yvonne Harris.
Ben and Yvonne are now developing a questionnaire and data collection methodology to provide quantitative and qualitative data on SDCs’ expenditure on and contribution to life-long learning and science engagement.
The questionnaire will be rolled out early in the new year: stand by to supply data, please!
Data will be analysed and a report produced by the end of the financial year.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
LoveSport successful in Liverpool
LoveSport, one of the three touring exhibitions produced by the Ecsite-uk Travelling Exhibitions Consortium opened in Liverpool to massive pubic acclaim.
In the first month “we had 26,900 visitors, which is 66% of World Museum Liverpool visitors going into the exhibition. During half term week alone, 16,000 visits to Love Sport, which is 91% of WML visitors,” reports Linda Brizell of National Museums Liverpool.
For information about the three exhibitions – LoveSport, Eye for Colour, and Animated Adventures – see www.sciencecentres.org.uk/travelling
RESOURCE
Science & Public Affairs
SPA is published four times a year by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). It keeps readers up to date with all the big areas of current science policy, serving them up in easy-to-read feature articles. December’s issue tackles: intelligent design; science teaching in schools; the interest of policy-makers in public engagement.
SPA is one of a number of free publications available to members and supporters of the BA. For free subscription to the paper version, email supporters@the-ba.net
The magazine is also available on the BA website at britishscienceassociation.org
DIARY DATES
sciencehorizons Working Lunches
January 2007
If you attended the Scottish Science Communication Conference, you may be interested to know that the BA is running a series of Working Lunches throughout the UK in collaboration with the sciencehorizons project. sciencehorizons is a new programme of public dialogues exploring people's aspirations, values and concerns for the science and technology of the future.
The Working Lunches will be delivered by Ben Johnson, and are for anyone interested in running events that will feed into sciencehorizons, especially those working in science centres, museums, learned societies, science festivals and community-based organisations.
At the Working Lunches, participants will learn about the sciencehorizons project, find out all they need to know to facilitate an event of their own and get practical guidance and support along with wide-ranging resource packs. The lunches will include discussions about skills enhancement, marketing and fundraising where appropriate.
The working lunches will take place from 12:30 until 2pm:
- 8 January 2007 - Manchester, The Manchester Museum
- 12 January 2007 - Edinburgh, The National Museum of Scotland
- 25 January 2007 - Oxford, Science Oxford
Tickets are available from the BA website at britishscienceassociation.org
at a cost of £12, including lunch.
sciencehorizons is funded by the DTI's Sciencewise programme.
Science and Society: Closing the Gap
19-21 January 2007, Boston MA
A conference to explore the critical role of science and technology in today’s world and develop strategies for better informing and involving the general public.
Science + Society: Closing the Gap is an important addition to the international calendar of science-related conferences. It's one of the first to involve the public in a high-level conversation—with scientists, educators, media professionals, policymakers and others—about effective and practical ways to improve science communication and enhance science literacy. Rather than target a specific group or membership, Science + Society invites the widest range of stakeholders to the table, recognizing that success depends on cooperation and conversation not only across disciplines but also between the scientific community and the public it serves.
The conference is free, but space is limited.
Details and registration at:
www.scienceandsocietyconference.com
Ecsite Annual Conference 2007
Lisbon: 31 May to 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.
For details contact Aliki Giannakopoulou:
agiannakopoulou@ecsite.net
www.ecsite.net
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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