November 2005
Contents
Call for Ecsite conference proposals
First eTEC exhibition launched
Public views on diet and health research
Marketing seminar resources for all
Science Oxford opens in St Clements
Diary dates: Ecsite Directors' Forum 2005; Ecsite Annual Conference 2006
NEWS FROM THE ECSITE-UK OFFICE
Debates with a difference
Ecsite-uk’s project activities are summarised at www.sciencecentres.org.uk/projects/activities_events.html
and have their very own website and archive of resources at www.scizmic.net
Debates with a difference are day-long or half-day events, built around a series of tasks designed to enable young people to explore a contemporary science topic. Students are then encouraged to discuss one key issue, before presenting their conclusion to other participants.
Resources are available – and events are taking place at science centres & museums around the UK – on:
- stem cell research
- nuclear energy
- nanotechnology
- prolonging life in the newborn
See www.scizmic.net for resources, and contact Dr Rosalind Mist at ros@scizmic.net for dates/locations of events.
NEWS FROM ECSITE’S BRUSSELS OFFICE
Call for Ecsite conference proposals
The Ecsite Annual Conference 2006 is in Mechelen, Belgium, 8-10 June, hosted by Technopolis, the Flemish science centre.
Shifting from November to its new early summer slot, the Ecsite Annual Conference 2005 was the opportunity to start a ‘new generation’ of Ecsite Conferences, offering new formats for sessions, more interactivity, more debates, more controversies, more networking opportunities…
The three themes for 2006 are:
- Trends and challenges in cutting edge research and technological development
- Science centres: children only?
- What are they really learning?
The Programme Committee now seeks committed and skilled convenors and speakers for all parallel sessions. The format could be a panel, a roundtable or a workshop.
If you feel up to the rewarding challenge of convening or speaking in a session, or if you know someone that we should contact for this purpose, please request and complete the Session Proposal Form before 30 November 2005.
Contact conference@ecsite.be for details and for the form - return it by 30 November.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
First eTEC exhibition launched
The Ecsite-uk Travelling Exhibition Consortium (eTEC) is a consortium of At-Bristol, Ecsite-uk, National Museums Liverpool, Magna in Rotherham, Science Projects, and W5 in Belfast, together producing three interactive travelling exhibitions funded by the Millennium Commission through a ReDiscover grant.
Animated Adventures (featuring Wallace and Gromit!) was developed by W5. It is the first eTEC exhibition to launch and is currently on display at Explore-at-Bristol.
Details of the exhibition, its accompanying learning & public programmes, and its availability to potential host venues are at www.sciencecentres.org.uk/animated
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
CosmicSky seeks UK venues
CosmicSky is a NESTA funded collaboration between an artist, an astronomer and a poet. We have built an immersive domed theatre (the CosmicSpace, similar to a small planetarium) where surround sound and visual imagery combine to give the visitor a very unique contemplative experience. The beauty of nature merges with the language of science, art, poetry and philosophy to create a deeper, more meaningful connection with our environment and our place within it.
After Thinktank, Birmingham (to 30 October), the CosmicSpace is on show at:
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, 26 Nov - 30 Dec 2005
Gallery Oldham, Manchester, 14 Jan to 6 March 2006
Bolsover Castle, Bolsover, 11 Mar to 23Apr 2006
We are now looking for UK venues to host the exhibition after the pilot period ends (April 2006).
The web site is www.cosmicsky.co.uk
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Public views on diet and health research
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Institute of Food Research have published a study into public views on diet and health research.
Headline findings include:
- research areas most worthwhile for funding are protection against illness, tackling obesity and nutritional quality of food
- prevention of future health problems is one of the most important factors funders should consider when allocating research budgets
- there is an element of distrust of collaboration between UK universities and the food industry.
Presented at the MORI-organised seminar 18 October, a key issue for discussion was 'so how will these findings actually affect BBSRC strategy?'
The study was conducted by MORI Social Research Institute and copies are available at www.bbsrc.ac.uk/about/pub/reports/dietandhealth_12_10_05.html
RESOURCE
Marketing seminar resources for all
Ecsite-uk’s Specialist Seminar, ‘Special events: programming and marketing’ on 6 October offered Exhibition, Marketing and Programme managers the opportunity to tap the experience and expertise of UK trailblazers in marketing and programming for temporary exhibitions, one-off events, and difficult-to-reach teenage audiences.
Presentations by experts, and a summary of break-out group work, are available at www.sciencecentres.org.uk/events/spec_seminar_special_events.html
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Science Oxford opens in St Clements
Set up and managed by The Oxford Trust, phase one of Science Oxford (SO) in St Clements provides for the first time a central Oxford home for its public engagement work including the annual Festival of Science, and ‘Curioxity’, its hands-on activities for schools and families. SO will provide a stylish and contemporary venue that will bring scientists and the public together in a unique and stimulating environment.
The longer term plan is for Science Oxford to be located in a wonderful new building in Oxford's West End providing an alternative iconic image for Oxford that embeds the spirit of science and enterprise in the cultural map of the city.
The Trust's plans for Science Oxford were a key feature of Oxford's Capital of Culture bid and when Estelle Morris and representatives from DCMS visited Oxford they expressed strong support for the unique way in which the Trust works to make science an integral part of the cultural life of Oxfordshire.
DIARY DATES
Ecsite Directors' Forum
25-27 November, Toulouse
The directors of full-member institutions are invited to the annual 'Directors' Forum', this year hosted by the Cité de l'espace in Toulouse. The specific topic to be explored is "the grey zone between science centres and theme parks".
For details and a full programme, contact Walter Staveloz: wstaveloz@ecsite.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.netand watch the website for announcements www.ecsite.net
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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