NOVEMBER 2006
Contents
Project funding available soon
DTI funding for discussion events
Vaccinations: decisions at the sharp end
Digital Technologies Seminar summary available
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 1
Project funding available soon
OSI (DTI) and DfES, jointly, are to make a limited amount of funding available over two financial years 2006-08. Bids will be invited from small consortia of science centres to pilot enrichment activities (on site, or through outreach) that will promote effective collaborative working, complement – without duplicating – existing Government initiatives, and actively drive best practice in our sector.
This funding (plus additional support to fund an independent impact assessment) was referred to on 20 October, in Lord Sainsbury's answer to the Parliamentary Question: "We want to know what arrangements have the DTI and the DfES made for the future funding of science centres?"
Details of the funding scheme and bidding process will be announced as soon as finalised with the two Departments' officials.
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 2
Explore forensic ethics
If you are running a forensic science workshop, between November 2006 and February 2007, please contact Rosalind Mist via debates@scizmic.net.
Ecsite-uk would like to explore ethical issues related to forensic science during this period – your input will be appreciated!
NEWS FROM ECSITE IN BRUSSELS
Directors' Forum in Naples
This year’s Directors’ Forum – the autumn event for directors of Ecsite full-member institutions – is hosted by Città della Scienza in Naples, 24-25 November. Its two themes are:
- Responding to the dialogue model
- Exploring whether science centres and museums can be tools of social inclusion
Details are available at: www.ecsite.net
For further information, contact Aliki Giannakopoulou, Conference and Communications Coordinator: agiannakopoulou@ecsite.net
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
Show seeking host venues
‘Breaking the Silence’ tells the story of Rachel Carson, a remarkable and brave woman who, single handed, took on the US Department of Agriculture and the Chemical Industry to draw attention to the dangers of pesticides. Her extraordinary struggle to produce her book ‘Silent Spring’ is told in this powerful and moving, one-person show.
We meet her today as she shares her experiences and her insights about the past and the present.
The piece is directed by Annie Castledine and accompanied by a specially commissioned soundtrack by Joseph Young. ‘Breaking the Silence’ is written and performed by Liz Rothschild.
An after-show talk is available by the performer. Additional workshop/talks by experts in a range of related fields, such as pesticides, cancer and environmental issues, can also be booked to accompany the performance.
We are seeking venues for the tour: the primary area for the tour is the south and south-east of England but we are also going to Bristol, Birmingham and Cambridge. Would you like to host ‘Breaking the Silence’?
For further information contact the tour administrator, Trish Wickstead on info@rachelcarson.co.uk
phone 01367 244322 or Liz Rothschild on 01367 240508
The project web site at www.rachelcarson.co.uk gives more details.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
DTI funding for discussion events
Would you like to run discussion events as part of sciencehorizons? (sciencehorizons is a programme of public dialogue about the implications of future science and technology, funded by DTI.)
sciencehorizons can supply all of the stimulus materials you will need, along with advice on how to run the event. There is also a small amount of money available to assist organisations in running events.
Events must take place between January and June 2007 in order for the results of the discussions to feed into the sciencehorizons programme.
We have created an information pack for potential event organisers which includes:
- A summary of the sciencehorizons programme, key elements and timings;
- Details of the materials and assistance we can provide;
- Marketing and programming information;
- An application form for the sciencehorizons enabling fund for event organisers.
The deadline for applications for funding is 30 November 2006.
This pack is available from the web site www.sciencehorizons.org.uk (look in the resources section).
Please email contact@sciencehorizons.org.uk if you have any queries or
questions.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 3
Ingenious grants programme
INGENIOUS: engaging citizens; engaging engineers
The Ingenious grants programme offers two levels of funding:
Activities and Development grants (£4,000 to £40,000) available to science/engineering communicators for public engagement ‘activities’ and for ‘development’ of public engagement training courses, seminars and workshops for engineers
Individual grants (up to £2,000) available to engineers to attend existing training courses, workshops and conferences related to public engagement, public policy or engineering and its impact on society.
This grants programme is supported by the Office of Science and Innovation.
www.raeng.co.uk/about/engagement
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
ROBO-MADNESS at Satrosphere
Get ready to rumble with Robo-Madness, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November, at Satrosphere in Aberdeen. Program your own LEGO Mindstorms robot and attempt to complete one of the tricky obstacle challenges. Meet Mac, our friendly Sony AIBO dog, and watch him perform some tricks. After Robo-Madness comes Winter Science, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December: make glittery Christmas decorations and cards with a science twist. Come and find out how to make yummy ice cream with liquid nitrogen in our seasonal Snow Show!
Satrosphere is Scotland’s original Science Centre, at The Tramsheds, Aberdeen:
www.satrosphere.net
RESOURCE 1
Vaccinations: decisions at the sharp end
Over 500 young people have taken part in a series of debates on public health and vaccinations. These were staged in schools, science festivals and the four science centres involved in Ecsite-uk's ‘Doing Dialogue’ project.
The students explored a range of issues relating to vaccination programmes and considered whether vaccinations should be compulsory. The results of their discussions have been submitted as evidence to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics working party on Public health: ethical issues (www.nuffieldbioethics.org).
The students found it hard to agree on compulsory vaccination. They hadn't realised how difficult it was to come to a decision on the issue. Many felt that whether vaccinations were compulsory or not, young people should be educated about the issues.
All these new debate materials relating to public health vaccination programmes are available via www.scizmic.net
For more information, contact debates@scizmic.net
RESOURCE 2
Digital Technologies Seminar – summary available
Funded by NESTA and convened by Ecsite-uk, this seminar helped spread and share information and expertise as part of efforts to ensure science centres and museums stay at the cutting edge of digital technology – so children can get the most from their learning. The seminar took place as part of the 2006 Education and Programme Managers Meeting.
Many thanks to Glasgow Science Centre for hosting this specialist meeting.
Summaries of the presentations and break-out group work are available at:
www.sciencecentres.org.uk/events/spec_seminar_digital_technology.html
DIARY DATES
Fundraising made simple
14-15 November, Stroud
Thanks to generous support from the Potential Trust, Ecsite-uk is able to invite participants to a free 36-hour workshop, 14-15 November 2006, at Hawkwood College, Stroud.
‘KISS Fundraising’ is an inspirational course delivered by Sir Christopher Ball who has led, planned or advised over 20 successful fundraising campaigns in the last 25 years in the fields of education, social welfare, medicine and the arts. It is designed for ‘fundraising newbies’ – people near the middle of larger organisations or near the top of smaller ones, whose job includes a fundraising remit.
The course is in three parts:
- The fundamental principles of fundraising
- Some examples of success
- Planning your fundraising project.
KISS guarantees that you will raise at least £10,000 within a year, provided you put into practice what you learn.
The event is free to participants as the Trust will pay for meals and accommodation, plus a fee to Christopher. In exchange the Trust asks that any participating organisation that manages to raise over £5,000 within the year makes a donation of £500 to the Trust. It should be a win-win situation!
For details and to book a place, contact us
engage in the visual arts
15-17 November, Manchester
This year’s conference at the Whitworth Art Gallery and Cornerhouse, Manchester, will examine the changing role of galleries and museums. No longer simply the keepers and presenters of art, culture and heritage for a select, informed audience, they now have a greatly expanded role: broadening cultural access, offering a wide range of educational programmes and responding to social, educational and political agendas.
engage International Conference is for colleagues from across the visual arts, cultural and education sectors, at all stages of their careers.
For details, see [archived page - link removed]
Science and Society: Closing the Gap
19-21 January 2007, Boston MA
A conference to explore the critical role of science and technology in today’s world and develop strategies for better informing and involving the general public.
Science + Society: Closing the Gap is an important addition to the international calendar of science-related conferences. It's one of the first to involve the public in a high-level conversation—with scientists, educators, media professionals, policymakers and others—about effective and practical ways to improve science communication and enhance science literacy. Rather than target a specific group or membership, Science + Society invites the widest range of stakeholders to the table, recognizing that success depends on cooperation and conversation not only across disciplines but also between the scientific community and the public it serves.
The conference is free, but space is limited.
Details and registration at:
www.scienceandsocietyconference.com
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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