February 2004
Contents
No funding decision yet from Government
Clore Duffield Foundation invites applications for fellowships
'Planning for flexibility and change' Seminar Proceedings on web
New Chief Executive for MSI Manchester
DIARY: NESTA Futurelab Conference; Science Communication Conference
News from the Ecsite-uk Office
No funding decision yet from Government
Government officials are still not able to indicate a timescale for a decision on stabilisation funding for millennium science centres.
The three departments (DfES, DCMS, OST/DTI) are working actively on the issue, but are unable to say when we may expect to hear the outcome. John Durant (Chair, Ecsite-uk) and I have made them very well aware of the critical importance of resolving the issue as swiftly as humanly possible.
Many thanks to all of you who provided financial data, and information about educational programming. This has been hugely useful in 'making our case'. Needless to say, we will be in touch immediately any further information is forthcoming.
Developments in the Sector
Clore Duffield Foundation invites applications for fellowships
The Clore Leadership Programme was established in 2003 by the Clore Duffield Foundation as a new initiative to strengthen leadership across the cultural sector (performing arts, museums, etc). Applications for Fellowships should be submitted by 20 February 2004.
The Rt Hon Chris Smith, director of the Clore Leadership Programme, says: "The programme is an initiative of the Clore Duffield Foundation, and our aim is to help to train and develop a new generation of leaders for the cultural sector here in the UK. Each year we will be assisting a number of Clore Fellows to undertake an individual programme of work, research, training, and secondment, designed to develop their leadership skills and experience."
For details, see www.cloreleadership.org
Resource
Proceedings of November 2003 Seminar on the web
Ecsite-uk specialist seminars and workshops aim to strengthen networking between Science and Discovery Centres, and improve professional practice through international skill sharing.
The Specialist Seminar 'Planning for flexibility and change' was held on 20 November 2003, hosted by the Wellcome Trust and led by:
Dr Per-Edvin Persson, Director, Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre
Sally Duensing, Director, Center for Informal Learning and Schools (CILS), UC Santa Cruz
Barry Aprison, PhD, Director of Science and Technology, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Their presentations are available at
www.sciencecentres.org.uk/resources/spec_seminar.html
News from the Regions
New Chief Executive for MSI Manchester
Dr Ian Griffin from NASA's Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, has been appointed as the new Director of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. His position will take effect from 1 April 2004.
British born Dr Griffin is currently Head of the Office of Public Outreach for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. He is also Director of NASA's Origins Education Forum with responsibility for building an integrated framework for the education and outreach associated with NASA space missions. Previous positions have included: CEO of Auckland Science Centre, New Zealand, Director of Astronaut Science Centre, Florida and Director of Armagh Planetarium, Northern Ireland.
Since opening in 1983, MSI Manchester has seen an exceptional period of growth and development. A £15 million capital development programme nears completion, and includes the new flagship gallery 'Manchester Science: Discoveries that Changed the World', which will open on 1 April 2004.
Diary Dates
NESTA Futurelab's 5th Conference
24-25 March 2004, Sheffield
'Digital Dialogues: Fostering Collaboration and Conversation in Education' will be held at The Showroom and Workstation, Sheffield.
In the age of broadband communications and mobile phones there have never been more mechanisms for dialogue between people. Despite this, the potential for learners and teachers to exploit these technologies is only now beginning to emerge as an important aspect of our education system. The event will provide an inspirational insight into new approaches to education that can only occur through digital dialogue.
Highlights include: keynotes from Neil Mercer, Open University, Professor Jay Lemke, University of Michigan and Professor Kathy Sykes, University of Bristol, a panel with Peter Jenkinson, Director of Creative Partnerships and David Hargreaves, Chair of Becta, as well as case studies and a workshop.
For full details visit www.nestafuturelab.org/events
E-mail events@nestafuturelab.org
Science Communication Conference
24-25 May 2004, London
The 2004 Science Communication Conference is jointly organised by the BA and The Royal Society. It will take place at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London.
'Strategies to Improve Impact' is this year's conference theme. The draft programme is at www.the-ba.net/scicomm
A bursary scheme will be offered this year to assist the attendance of the following groups: students, freelancers/micro businesses, NGOs and socially excluded groups.
For further information please contact events@the-ba.net
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director Ecsite-uk: the Science and Discovery Centre Network
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