March 2006
Contents
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'What not to do' guide to science communication events
NEWS FROM THE ECSITE-UK OFFICE
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Why? So that your institution can register for conferences/seminars and respond to invitations to join national projects/events for which Ecsite-uk has raised funds!
NEWS FROM ECSITE'S BRUSSELS OFFICE
Catherine Franche reports
On 23 January, Ecsite presented a position paper at a seminar organised by DG Research ‘science and society’, and conducted by Jean-Michel Baer.
The objective of the event was to discuss with European networks the guidelines of the ‘science and society’ programme described in the draft version of the 7th Framework Programme in the ‘Capacity’ section. For Ecsite, it was an opportunity to express the role that science centres and museums can play in achieving the aims of the programme.
The position paper presented by Ecsite proposed four main action lines:
- To develop new partnerships between science centres, research institutes and laboratories to offer science communication training and know-how,
- To support formal and informal science teaching in schools by developing materials, tools, products specifically adapted to young people in order to reinforce links between education and professional life,
- To promote the priorities of European science and industry through the Ecsite network,
- To enhance international cooperation.
This position paper will be available on the SINAPSE e-Network site developed by the European Commission to make better use of scientific knowledge in policy making and to facilitate exchange of information within the scientific community and with others concerned by the use of science in European governance.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Eye for Colour launched
The amazing world of colour, from dark sombre hues to dazzling psychedelic spectrums, is spotlighted in Eye for Colour at the World Museum Liverpool from 18 February to 27 August 2006 (worldmuseumliverpool.org.uk).
NML report: "We had almost 33,000 visitors in the first 10 days, with 77% of visitors to World Museum going in. It was half term here so the museum was exceptionally busy but it is still very encouraging!"
Eye for Colour has been produced by National Museums Liverpool for eTEC (the Ecsite-uk Travelling Exhibitions Consortium). eTEC is a consortium of At-Bristol, Ecsite-uk, National Museums Liverpool, Magna and W5 together producing three interactive, travelling exhibitions funded by the Millennium Commission through a ReDiscover grant.
Animated Adventures produced by W5 is currently on show at At-Bristol. LoveSport produced by At-Bristol launches at W5 in June.
For details and availability (NB reduced rental for Ecsite-uk members), see www.sciencecentres.org.uk/travelling
RESOURCE
'What not to do'guide to science communication events
Authors Annette Smith, Mikkel Bohm, Magdalena Fikus, Joachim Lerch, Annika Lotzmann-Dahl, Peter Rebernik, Jan Riise and Janneke Voltmann spent three years in the field, visiting 21 science communication events, festivals and dedicated national science weeks across Europe to assess what worked and what needed improving in each of them. Their research was supported by the European Commission as input towards a ‘good practice’ guide (or White Book).
The handy ‘what not to do’ guide for future event planners is available in paperback – free but SAE required.
For details, contact Annette Smith at the BA: 020 7019 4935
annette.smith@the-BA.net
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
MBE for Girl Guide Role Model
Dr Gillian Wright, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, and supporter of the Go For It! with sciZmic Space Events was awarded an MBE for Services to Science in the New Year's Honours. Gillian has taken time out from working on the next space telescope to take part in the events which are held at the ROE Visitor Centre in partnership with Girlguiding UK.
The day-long events, which are designed to encourage more girls and young women to develop an interest in science, give the Guides the opportunity to
- Study the ingredients necessary for life
- Communicate like a space probe
- Observe the night sky
- Learn about astronomy at different wavelengths
- Have a go at building their own astronomical instruments (magnetometer and spectrometer).
Gillian said "Despite recent improvements in the number of young women going into science as a whole, they are still trailing men in physics and chemistry. I hope that this opportunity for girls to experience science outside the classroom will show them what a creative and diverse activity it can be."
The Go For It! project was devised jointly by Ecsite-uk and Girlguiding UK. The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is the lead Ecsite partner, with events being rolled out nationwide at a dozen science centres/museums.
The project is funded by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, (PPARC) the UK funding agency for fundamental physics. PPARC also funds Gillian Wright's research and UK involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope.
DIARY DATES
Public Engagement Conference
3-4 April 2006, at the Manchester Conference Centre
Explore the rich diversity of creative outputs, supported by the Wellcome Trust, which have raised awareness of bioscience and its issues to people of all ages, from all walks of life. The Engaging Science Conference will provide:
- the time to consider the growth of public engagement and ask: Is progress being made? Has our thinking really changed? Do we stop there? What should we be doing now for the future?
- the place for many different sectors to share ideas and discuss current issues around public engagement in science
- the platform to explore how we can create access to all sectors of society with the science that affects all of our lives
- the opportunity to learn from the profiled activities, live events, policy initiatives and research projects.
Delegates are invited from all sectors, disciplines and communities. If you are interested in public engagement practice, the arts, science, communications, social inclusion, education, public debate or policy, then join us to consider if public engagement is actively engaging all sectors of society or repeatedly reaching the same few.
Sessions include:
- 'At what stage to engage'
- Live theatre performance - Y-Touring's new production on biomedical issues
- Information on Wellcome Trust public engagement funding opportunities
- 'Going Digital' - what the digital age offers public engagement and education
- 'To the future: Science education in 2015'
Scottish Science Communication Conference
6-7 April 2006, Edinburgh
The BA, with the support of the Scottish Executive and ecsite-UK, is organising a Scottish Science Communication Conference at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Science Communication Conference will include a mix of plenary sessions, informal ‘Working Lunches’ and networking opportunities and its content will link with that for the London conference in July. Both conferences will be arranged in the same three strands (Science in Society, Science Education and Science Communication), but the April conference will consider the topics in the Scottish context where this is appropriate.
The Working Lunches will address the practical skills required to support delivery under these themes.
There will be a drinks reception in the Rainforest/Polar Regions at Our Dynamic Earth, followed by an informal conference dinner in a nearby restaurant.
If you would like to register an interest in attending please contact: events@the-ba.net or visit www.the-ba.net/scicomm.
Ecsite Annual Conference 2006
8-10 June 2006, Mechelen
The Ecsite Annual Conference 2006 is in Mechelen (just outside Brussels), hosted by Technopolis, the Flemish science centre.
The themes for 2006 are:
- Trends and challenges in cutting edge research and technological development
- Science centres: children only?
- What are they really learning?
Ecsite Conference 2006 first announcement (PDF file)
For details, contact conference@ecsite.net and watch the website for announcements www.ecsite.net
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 pscicom 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
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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