May 2006
Contents
Write for the quarterly newsletter!
Engagement, participation, debate
Next Steps update to the 10-year strategy
Gift Aid rules are now in effect
Science in School journal launched
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK
Rendez vous in Mechelen
Ecsite-uk gathering at the Conference Centre on Thursday 8th: bring your Happy Hour drink to the Ecsite-uk meeting point to network and natter about matters English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish!
The gathering/meeting point will be indicated in the conference programme and signed at the Conference Centre.
The dedicated conference website:
www.technopolis.be/ecsite2006
has all the most up-to-date information.
For conference details email ecsite@technopolis.be
NEWS FROM ECSITE BRUSSELS
Write for the quarterly newsletter!
The Summer issue of the Ecsite quarterly newsletter will be on the theme ‘Beyond the walls’ – focusing on programme activities and events organised off-site, beyond the walls of the science centre/museum. (NB we are NOT talking about travelling exhibitions or outdoor exhibits, since that was the theme in Summer 2005!)
Are you active beyond your walls? If so, send a short outline for the LISTINGS section of the newsletter:
- title
- 2 lines of description
- 70 words extra detail
- contact email
- website
- a digital photo (max 2MB)
by 23 June, to Melanie Quin, Ecsite Editor: enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Engagement, participation, debate
The term ‘public engagement with science’ means different things to different people and organisations. It is used both in a broad context to mean public awareness of science (aka science communication, scientific literacy, gebneral involvement with science and its process) and in a narrower context to imply involving the public in policy decisions and in setting research priorities – in this context ‘engagement’ means information, public opinion research, consultation and participation.
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology’s POST Note 260 ‘Debating Science’ focuses on the latter definition, succinctly in 4 pages:
www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_offices/post/pubs2006.cfm
To go further, refer to ‘People & Participation: How to put citizens at the heart of decision-making’ produced by Involve. The book provides guidelines to:
Help people understand more about the practical workings of participation,
Provide new frameworks for assessing and selecting different participation methods.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Next Steps update to the 10-year strategy
‘Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next steps’ sets out the Government’s thoughts on the long-term challenges facing UK science and innovation, and the next steps to build on the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014.
Chapter 6 is the most relevant to science centres/museums, and they get a brief mention in the collaboration and partnerships section.
[link no longer working] www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/budget_06/ assoc_docs/bud_bud06_adscience.cfm
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Gift Aid rules are now in effect
The new (changed) rules took effect from 5 April.
www.giftaidvisitor.co.uk gives outline guidance and has downloadable materials for standard wordings and branded logos. The aim is to build recognition of the scheme and encourage participation: yes, science centres ARE now eligible to participate.
There are links to HMR&C’s detailed regulations. Implementation of the new rules can be complex and HMR&C are now in negotiation with many charitable attractions to clarify operational details.
RESOURCE
Science in School journal launched
Science in School is a new European journal to promote inspiring science teaching. It covers not only biology, physics and chemistry, but also maths and earth sciences. The contents include teaching materials; cutting-edge science; education projects and education research. Target readership covers all stakeholders in European science teaching, science centres & museums included.
Science in School is freely available. Online articles are published in many European languages; a print version is distributed in English. More details and the first issue are available at: www.scienceinschool.org.
It is supported by the European Union and published quarterly by the EIROforum, a collaboration of European intergovernmental research organisations.
To receive an alert when each issue is published, send an email with the subject 'Subscribe to Science in School' to scienceinschool@embl.de. Include your postal address to receive a free print subscription.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Gold for Magna
Thursday 20 April saw Madame Tussauds, London, host the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2006. Winning Gold in the Business Tourism category was Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.
Matthew Beck, managing director, says: “We are delighted.”
The press release adds: "The national award illustrates Magna’s success as a corporate events venue and follows a whole host of companies who have held events at Magna, including AEG, O2, Goodyear, Mercedes, LDV and even Clinton Woods Championship Boxing.… Contributing to Magna’s award success is their renowned Bumper Christmas parties, where clients can enjoy free dodgem rides, games, stalls, a fully licensed bar, 3 course dinner and dancing ‘till the early hours."
Bravo Magna! Where else in the science-centre world do team-building opportunities include indoor bungee jumping, abseiling?!
DIARY DATES
Specialist Seminar on Planet Science Outreach
Monday 5 June, 11.00-16.00 at the Dana Centre, South Kensington
Ecsite-uk specialist seminars and workshops aim to strengthen networking between science centres & museums, and to improve professional practice through skill sharing.
Supported by NESTA/People Science and Policy, the event on 5 June will introduce good practice identified in an independent evaluation of the Planet Science Outreach programme and provide an opportunity for Ecsite-uk members to relate this to their own current or planned outreach work.
Free to Ecsite-uk members, and NESTA will reimburse reasonable travel/accommodation costs for participants coming from outside London.
For the full programme, and to book a place, contact enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
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?
For details, contact conference@ecsite.net
Conference
programme website: www.technopolis.be/ecsite2006
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
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 >