JuLY 2006
Contents
Ecsite-uk's AGM goes to Norwich
It was a diamond conference in Mechelen!
Gift Aid questionnaire - answers please by 17 July
EU funding for explainer training
Royal Society Summer Exhibition
Science on Stage invites applications
Factors affecting science communication
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK
Ecsite-uk's AGM goes to Norwich
This Ecsite-uk Annual General Meeting is being held in Norwich this year, to coincide with the BA Festival of Science, taking place at the University of East Anglia in the same week.
The AGM gives members of Ecsite-uk the opportunity to vote for candidates standing for the Executive Committee, as well as the chance to visit Inspire science centre, to discuss current issues and network with other members.
NEWS FROM ECSITE
It was a diamond conference in Mechelen!
“It was very well organised. The team was great, always smiling. It was full of surprises. Thanks to you all!” Those who were at the Ecsite Conference 2006 hosted by Technopolis, Mechelen, will certainly echo those words!
Ecsite 2006 in figures:
- 710 participants from 40 different countries, of whom 85 from outside Europe and 103 CEOs
- 255 speakers and convenors, in 71 sessions
- together they drank 2 300 cups of coffee and 1 400 glasses of beer
- 1 diamond was to be won, and everyone had 709 chances out of 710 not to win it!
Next year’s Ecsite conference is in Lisbon, 31 May to 2 June 2007.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Gift Aid for Charitable Attractions – new operational rules
This is a Confidential Questionnaire for us to collect information from Ecsite-uk members so that we can analyse the position, successes and constraints, and HMRC interpretations, on the various options and detailed rules. We will use the information to report to the Attractions Gift Aid Liaison Group on the working of the new rules, to evolve best practice and negotiate, if required, with HMRC.
Please complete and return this Questionnaire to
melanie.quin@ecsite-uk.net
by 17 July
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
EU funding for explainer training
Thanks to an EU grant, a five-day training school for Explainers is offered FREE (including all meals and accommodation) in Trieste, Italy, 28 August to 1 September.
In line with the EU ‘Science & Society’ agenda, the focus of sessions, workshops, discussions, presentations etc, will be on science & society issues.
Travel bursaries may be available to some institutions. There will be 50 participants from across the EU.
Full details can be found at www.dotik.eu/activities.html
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Royal Society Summer Exhibition
This exhibition offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the best of the UK's science and technology research. With 24 exhibits from all over the UK, this is your chance to find out about the latest developments in scientific research and meet and talk to the researchers behind the fascinating exhibits on show. Come and discover how scientists are identifying the cosmic ingredients of the Universe, what makes your body clock tick and test the flying distance of your very own aero-engine!
For more information on the exhibits on show from 3-6 July 2006, please visit
www.royalsoc.ac.uk/exhibition
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Science on Stage invites applications
Are you interested in new ideas for teaching science?
Would you like to share your ideas with teachers form all over Europe?
Following on from the fantastic success of Science on Stage in November 2005, we are looking for people with a passion for science education to travel to Grenoble in April 2007 for Science on Stage 2 as part of the UK delegation. (Travel and accommodation fully funded.)
You can find more about this event on the Science on Stage website www.scienceonstage.net
If you are interested, go to [archived - link removed] and fill in the online application form.
Return it by 17 September to Alison Alexander the national coordinator
for Science on Stage, at Alison.Alexander@iop.org
RESOURCE
Factors affecting science communication
Is science communication light and fluffy, or can it help advance a career?
The final report of "Factors affecting science communication: a survey
of scientists and engineers" is published at www.royalsoc.ac.uk/survey
The study was commissioned by the Royal Society, with support from Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust, to examine the views and experience of UK scientists and engineers with regard to science communication and public engagement.
"Factors affecting science communication" emerged in direct response to the BA/Royal Society Science Communication Conference in 2004, which produced several strategic recommendations to promote public engagement with science. The survey will be discussed in depth at a session at the 2006 BA/Royal Society Science Communication Conference.
Survey highlights are at www.royalsoc.ac.uk/news.asp?id=4861
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Giant spider at Sensation
This summer, during July and August, visitors to Sensation science centre in Dundee, will be able to witness first hand the exciting and sometimes terrifying battle between predator and prey in ‘Predators’, a dramatic temporary exhibition from the Natural History Museum featuring huge, moving models of a great white shark, lethal funnel-web spider and an interactive chameleon.
Visitors can also handle live animals, see a giant Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula and the amazing Tiger Reticulated Python, the world’s largest species of snake, when Jay’s Animal Encounters comes back to Sensation 10-16 July and then again 12-20 August.
[Photo credit: Bruce Coleman]
DIARY DATES
Science Communication Conference
13-14 July 2006, London
The 2006 Science Communication Conference will take place at the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, London.
Plans are to split the conference into three strands looking at:
- Science Education - linking formal and informal learning
- Science Communication - science and the media, science PR and science events
- Science in Society - public engagement, policy through dialogue, SIS strategy
There will be a mixture of plenary, group and workshop sessions as well as lunchtime discussions and working lunches covering more practical skills. As in previous years there will be a drinks reception and conference dinner.
Draft versions of the programme will be circulated via the psci-com e-mailing list for comment, if you would like to make suggestions of sessions, projects or speakers please contact nick.hillier@the-ba.net.
BIG annual event
26-28 July, Manchester
Hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the BIG Event offers a great opportunity for people working with interactivity to meet, discuss and show off their latest work.
Join exhibit developers, performers, science centre and museum staff from across the world in the Event’s unique mix of thought-provoking conference sessions, entertaining live science shows and off the wall events, including the famous Best Demo competition.
The full conference package costs just £260 for two-and-a-half days of sessions, conference dinner, lunches and access to the marketplace. Single day and concession rates are also available.
To book your place contact Savita Custead at savita@scizmic.net or 02920 252706
For more information check www.big.uk.com/events
Facilitation Skills Workshops
10 August; 19 September; 4 October, 11 October
The Facilitation Skills Workshop is designed to teach new skills and build confidence in those leading debate and discussion activities with young people. This participative three hour session examines facilitation styles, stimulating and managing discussions, and dealing with challenging behaviours. It has been developed in consultation with science centre educators, engagement specialists, and professional facilitators. This is a foundation level workshop.
Dates/locations:
10 August, The Oxford Trust
19 September, Glasgow Science Centre
4 October, Techniquest, Cardiff
11 October, the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Free to Ecsite-uk members. For further details, and to book a place,
contact seminars@ecsite-uk.net
Education/Programming Managers Meeting:
Digital Technologies
26-27 September, Glasgow Science Centre
This event is designed to provide a forum for managers to discuss issues relating to education and programming in the sector. Following requests from the inaugural meeting last year in Liverpool, the theme for day-two of this meeting is 'digital technologies'.
Although this meeting is free to Ecsite-uk members, in the first instance places are limited to one per institution. Applications from other institutions will be considered. NESTA will reimburse reasonable travel/accommodation costs for participants attending from outside Glasgow.
The deadline for bookings is 15 September.
For further information, and to book a place for your institution, please email seminars@ecsite-uk.net
GEM-SET Conference
23 November, Newcastle
Gender & Ethnic Minority Issues in Science, Engineering and Technology: This high profile conference aims to bring together ESRC Science in Society researchers, HE ESF National Programme members, other academics, practitioners, industrialists and policy makers to discuss, understand and identify the benefits, barriers and solutions related to greater participation of women and ethnic minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology, both in public and private sectors, as well as discussing wider and emerging themes.
One theme is specifically concerned with the role of Science Centres/Museums in promoting greater participation of girls and members of the ethnic minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
The conference is hosted by Life science centre.
More information is available at www.ncl.ac.uk/seru/conference2006.htm
Abstracts should be mailed to seru@ncl.ac.uk
before 31st of July
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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