May 2005
Contents
Seeking host venues and hot topics
90% of the Universe is missing!
Publicise watery events for free
Apply to NESTA's Illuminate scheme
DIARY DATES: Science Communication Conference; ECSITE annual conference; BIG Event
NEWS FROM THE ECSITE-UK OFFICE
Seeking host venues and hot topics
The BA and Ecsite-uk have been awarded a Sciencewise grant to run a programme of 'science communication working lunches' in 2005 and 2006.
A working lunch is a shorter version of Ecsite-uk's successful 'specialist seminar' format. Working lunches will provide opportunities for professional science communicators from to enhance their skills and knowledge by sharing good practice and networking. Further, they aim to highlight approaches and knowledge from related fields, such as social science, sustainable development and health; and to encourage collaborative projects.
Four working lunches will be held at the BA Festival, two at other science festivals, and four in science centres.
The science centre working lunches will be held in the latter part of the year and we are now researching venues and topics:
- What topics would interest you most?
- Would you like to host a lunch? (There is funding to pay towards staff time, but venue hire must be given in-kind.)
All expressions of interest to enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
90% of the Universe is missing!
This is just one of the revelations of modern scientists featured in a new touring exhibition: Move over Einstein: the next generation is here! Coming soon to a gallery near you, in celebration of Einstein Year, supported jointly by the Institute of Physics, EPSRC and PPARC.
The 120m2 exhibition uses hands-on exhibits to take visitors inside some of the latest projects Einstein's successors are working on which include:
- An electronic supernose that will sniff your breath and give early warning of illness
- Tiny robots which may soon navigate your bloodstream, targeting drugs to specific sites within your body
- Using 'wobbly stars' to help discover alien life.
The big attraction and photo-opportunity is a replica of Einstein's bicycle which allows children to pedal, brake and steer their way through an interactive journey of Einstein's great mind.
On-line education resources have been designed for teachers and families to enhance their visit. Resources can be downloaded at [archived - link removed]
Move Over Einstein: the next generation is here is at the Science Museum to 12th June, then:
The Royal Museum, Edinburgh (18 June - 21 August 2005)
Lakeside Shopping Centre (27 August - 11 September 2005)
The Harvey Centre, Harlow (17 September - 2 October 2005)
TBC (15 October 2005 - 20 November 2005)
W5 Belfast (26 November - 15 January 2006)
For more information, please contact Lawrence Hall on 020 8392 5712 or email lawrence.hall@mission-21.com
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
Publicise watery events for free
SeaBritain 2005 is a national maritime festivity on a grand scale, celebrating the ways the sea touches all our lives - whether you live by the coast or inland.
From the Mersey River Festival and International Fleet Review in June, to the Trafalgar Bicentennial Celebrations in October, the Official Nelson Commemorations Committee is co-ordinating and facilitating a programme of events and activities to take place throughout the summer and autumn of 2005.
Planning a water-related event, exhibition or activity this summer? Then register it for free, and look up tips for running successful events at
[archived link - may not work] www.seabritain2005.com/server.php?show=nav.00400100d
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 3
Apply to NESTA's Illuminate scheme
The deadline for Round-2 of NESTA's new Illuminate scheme is on 13 June 2005.
As you may be aware, NESTA's Learning Programme has allocated a total of £1 million until spring 2006 for this open-application scheme which aims to encourage galleries, museums and science/discovery centres to develop new ways of unlocking and breathing life into existing collections and exhibitions, thus maximising their full potential in promoting learning, engagement and dialogue with visitors.
Full details of the scheme, and the application form, are available on the NESTA website: www.nesta.org.uk/illuminate [archived page - link removed]
RESOURCE
ASTC publications catalogue
A reminder of this incomparable resource: the Association of Science-Technology Centers publishes and acts as distribution point for dedicated resources for the science centre field.
From science centre statistics to research and evaluation, make your first literature research at [archived link - may not work] www.astc.org/pubs/browse_publications.htm
International orders sent air mail will arrive within three weeks, and often sooner.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Cheltenham Science Festival
Over the last three years we have been on an exhilarating journey into the pleasures, mysteries and challenges of the scientific world. This year's Festival takes us further into science's most controversial and cutting edge ideas as we investigate the world of sensory substitution, parallel universes and brain transformations.
The Festival brings you high-profile names and leading scientists including Guest Director David Puttnam, mathematician Roger Penrose, journalist John Humphrys, cosmologist Lisa Randall and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government David King.
The only fly in the ointment? The Festival clashes exactly with the Ecsite annual conference (see below).
[archived link - may not work] www.cheltenhamfestivals.org.uk
DIARY DATES
Science Communication Conference
23-24 May, London
This year's theme is 'Creating Strategic Partnerships' and the conference will include sessions on:
- Progress on the 2004 Science Communication Conference strategy recommendations
- Innovative ways of working with the media
- How to reward and recognise scientists for science communication
- Creating strategic partnerships to take public engagement forward
- Government strategy for science in society
- Implementing science in society policy
- Effective dialogue
The conference is jointly organised by the BA and the Royal Society
The conference will also include a poster session to allow delegates to share information and ideas on current projects.
For draft programme and on-line registration see [archived link - may not work] www.the-ba.net/scicomm
Bookings will close on Friday 13 May.
Ecsite annual conference
10-12 June, Helsinki-Vantaa
From 2005 onwards, the Annual Conference will be not in November but in June, making northern venues far more attractive to delegates. Our first early-Summer host is Heureka, the Finnish science centre: [archived link - may not work] www.heureka.fi/portal/englanti
The second announcement, preliminary programme, and registration information are available at [archived link - may not work] www.ecsite.net
British Interactive Group annual event
21-22 July, Newcastle
This year's BIG Event is hosted by the International Centre for Life in Newcastle: www.lifesciencecentre.org.uk
Experience 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. There are also great networking opportunities throughout the programme, including a conference party on the evening of the 21st.
Provisional programme, registration form, and accommodation suggestions are at [archived link - may not work] www.big.uk.com/events
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
Contact us with news or feedback >
Want to know more about Ecsite-uk? Find out about Ecsite-uk >
Ecsite-uk members include science and discovery centres, museums and companies providing services to the sector. Join Ecsite-uk >