MAY 2007
Contents
New inquiry into science and discovery centre funding
THE Group programme available online
New energy efficiency ratings for museums
perspectives - a poster competition with a difference
CaSE report on careers guidance
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK
New inquiry into science and discovery centre funding
Science and discovery centres across the UK play an increasingly important role developing scientific curiosity in young people. They enable them to discover how advances in science and technology can and do affect their lives, through extensive schools programmes, dialogue and discussion events and outreach activities.
Following a period of lobbying from Ecsite-uk and its membership, The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is holding a short inquiry to look into the funding of science centres. The inquiry will "examine the role of science centres in public engagement and attracting young people to science subjects and scientific careers, the funding available to such centres from central Government, alternative sources of funding and ways of supporting the long-term future of science and discovery centres."
The Committee has invited Ecsite-uk, along with other interested organisations and individuals, to submit written evidence addressing these points by Monday 11 June 2007. Members are strongly encouraged to submit evidence to this enquiry, and are invited to copy their submissions to Linda Conlon, Chair of Ecsite-uk, at: Linda@life.org.uk
Guidance on the submission of evidence
Enquiry announcement
NEWS FROM ECSITE Europe
THE Group programme available online
THE (Thematic Human Interface and Explainers) Group full day programme for the 30 May is now available online. The day will include a presentation of the group rationale, report on Dotik survey results, group work around the thematic priority of THE group, and an opportunity to take part in a ‘facilitation skills for explainers’ workshop.
If you are interested in participating in the kick-off meeting of the first thematic group of Ecsite on explainers, please visit the pre conference programme page at the for further details and a registration form:
www.ecsite-conference.net/content/user/File/THE%20group.doc
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
New energy efficiency ratings for museums
By April 2008 all UK museums and galleries will be expected to demonstrate how energy efficient they are.
The Government announced that institutions will need to organise and pay for their own independent inspections, in order to obtain a certificate with their energy efficiency rating. These ratings must then be put on public display.
www.museumsassociation.org/13641&_IXPOS_=manews1.1
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
perspectives - a poster competition with a difference
A new scheme has been launched to help UK Research Council funded postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers explore the social and ethical implications of their work.
perspectives aims to provide early-career scientists with the opportunity to develop their science communication skills, and enable them to discuss the social and ethical issues that arise from their research in an accessible way.
Further details can be found at: [archived page - link removed]
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 1
Sudley House reopens
Sudley House, part of the National Museums Liverpool, will reopen on 26 May 2007 after a two-year £1 million refurbishment and development.
The listed mansion, home to the only art collection of a Victorian merchant still in its original domestic setting (ship owner George Holt), underwent major conservation and renovation work. The development of the site also includes many new attractions such as two childhood rooms, a temporary exhibition gallery and costume room.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 2
Journey to the Core
A new 70 tonne sculpture called The Seed will be unveiled at the centre of Eden’s education building this June.
The sculpture, which represents the Heart of Eden, will make its journey to The Core as part of a special procession. Students from ten local schools will work with artist support to produce images for the procession, and take part on the day.
The celebrations will also include a time-capsule being buried underneath The Seed, containing a message written by H.M. The Queen, and messages from the participating schools with their hopes and dreams for the planet.
RESOURCE 1
CaSE report on careers guidance
The Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK (CaSE) have published ‘A new vision for careers guidance for students studying science or engineering’. The report is based on discussions with a wide range of people from universities, government departments, learned societies, trade organisations, companies and others, and summarises the findings and recommendations.
This report is available online at: [archived page - link removed]
RESOURCE 2
CIPAST Newsletter
The latest quarterly Citizen Participation in Science and Technology (CIPAST) newsletter is now available at:
www.cipast.org/download/CIPAST%20Newsletter%20No.%206.pdf
The CIPAST newsletters provide news on the situation of participatory procedures in Europe, the CIPAST project and links to useful electronic and print resources aimed at strengthening civil society in Europe.
Subscribe online at: www.cipast.org/cipast.php?section=5021
DIARY DATES
Science Communication Conference 2007
London: 14 & 15 May
Science Communication Conference 2007 will take place over two days with the second day focusing on climate change and the first on more generic and varied aspects of public engagement. Each day the conference will run sessions in three strands - engaging to inspire & educate, engaging to involve and engaging through the media and PR. Keynote speaker for day two will be Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Science and Innovation.
The conference is jointly organised by the BA and the Royal Society.
For further information visit: britishscienceassociation.org
TextWorkshop Training Day
The Churchill Museum, London: 16 May
This practical and interactive workshop covers top tips that can quickly make your text more accessible, appealing and effective at getting your message across.
Further details go to: www.textworkshop.co.uk
Ecsite Annual Conference 2007
Lisbon: 31 May to 2 June
Now firmly installed in its early summer slot, the Ecsite Annual Conference 2007 will – as in 2005 and ’06 – use new formats for sessions, more interactivity, more debates, more controversies, more networking opportunities…
AC2007 is hosted by the Pavilion of Knowledge.
Online registration open at: www.ecsite-conference.net
For details contact Aliki Giannakopoulou:
agiannakopoulou@ecsite.net
www.ecsite.net
Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) Annual Conference
Edmonton: 7 to 9 June
The conference offers sessions on Creativity, Current Science, Aboriginal audiences, plus the Demonstration Showcase, Café Scientifique, and an expanded Tradeshow. Speakers include technology guru Tod Maffin (Keynote) and Andrea Bandelli, specialist in citizen engagement program DECIDE.
Early Bird Deadline May 11, 2007. Visit: www.canadiansciencecentres.ca
PENCIL Science Teachers Conference, Technopolis®
Mechelen, Belgium: 14 to 16 June
The Conference will take place from the 14th to the 16th June 2007 at Technopolis®, in Mechelen, Belgium. This is a unique opportunity to participate in workshops and debates on how schools and science centres can come together at the forefront of science education. There is no registration fee for this event.
5th Science Centre World Congress
Toronto: 15 to 20 June
Under the theme ‘Science Centres as Agents of Change’ the congress will bring together science centre leaders from around the globe for a full programme including invited keynote speakers, parallel and poster sessions. The congress is hosted by the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto.
Full details are available on the congress website: www.5scwc.org.
TILEforum
Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy: 19 to 21 June
An outline of the programme for the 16th annual conference, innovation showcase & networking event for leisure attractions & venues, TiLEforum, is now available at:
Visitor Studies Group Summer School Conference
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh: 21 & 22 June
The theme for the summer school is: “Evaluation – why bother? Using evaluation as a strategic tool”.
This event includes a series of workshops across the two days on social outcomes, website evaluation and prototyping, a debate panel on Thursday, and a ‘Marketplace of Ideas’ on Friday, as well as a range of speakers.
http://ceca.icom.museum/02_cal/details.asp?ID=14
BIG Event 2007
25-27 July 2007 at Magna Science Adventure Centre
The BIG Event is relevant not only for people running science centres and museums, but for artists, presenters, archaeologists, educators, students, front of house staff, evaluators and anyone involved in interactive communication whatever their field.
Keep up to date with all the Event details at www.big.uk.com/events,
or join the mailing list by sending an email to event@big.uk.com
Ecsite-uk
Dr Louise Webb
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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