News
Newsletter for UK Science and Discovery Centres
AstraZeneca Grants for Teacher CPD
Closing date: Wednesday 5th May 2010
The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust invites applications for Primary Science, Science Transition and Lower Secondary/ Key Stage 3 Projects. Grants will be made for the coming academic year (September 2010 - July 2011). All applications must be received by 5th May 2010.
The grants are available for CPD for teachers to develop and enhance their practice of teaching science. For full details please view the following PDF
The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust project funding
Supporting advocacy through museums ‘...Love Museums’
Through ...Love Museums the Museums Assocation will offer practical advice and support on advocacy with free
training workshops to help museum staff understand the importance of making their case, featuring basic
techniques and tips and ways to build the argument for your organisation.
The first training workshop dates are in March and bookings are now being taken. More dates will be added,
and details can be found on the ...Love Museums page
Special subscription discounts
The team at BBC Focus Magazine shares our mission of inspiring people of all backgrounds with science and the issues surrounding it, and in partnership they are delighted to offer ASDC members an amazing 35% saving on a years subscription, reducing the cost to just £28 a year. This offer is extended to all staff in member organisations, whether you subscribe personally or as an organisation - and if 5 of your staff subscribe, you will get your subscription absolutely free!
Inside youll find science features, the latest news, reviews, events and lots of amazing facts on everything from archaeology to astrophysics, geology to genetics and forensics to Formula 1. We hope the magazine will help you delve into the latest discoveries and spark ideas for your new and evolving programmes and exhibitions. To take advantage of this offer please go to our sign up page.
BBC science roadshow coming to YOUR area
The BBC are keen to partner with UK Science and Discovery Centres in the cities they plan to visit with their science roadshow, Bang Goes the Theory, in 2010. Opportunities will be available to bring along interactive exhibits and experienced facilitators and to make use of a Science bar where small shows can be performed to groups within the interactive area.
Last years roadshow was a great success with several ASDC members taking part - www.bbc.co.uk/bang/handson/roadshow.shtml
For further details on how to partner with the BBC please contact the project manager, David Sasse direct to talk through ideas and options on 020 8008 5259 or by email David.Sasse@bbc.co.uk
Planning for the future free online resources to inspire futures thinking
Futurelab are currently offering a range of free online resources to assist with futures planning for the education sector. These include:
Thinking Space and Vision Mapper, designed to help examine the future of education beyond 2025; www.visionmapper.org.uk/resource/schoolredesignpack.php#space
Make the Future a video that draws on research from Beyond Current Horizonswww.futurelab.org.uk/resources/multimedia/video/Video1589
And EcoBugs - this years Digital Media and Learning Competition, that aims to find "and to inspire" the most novel uses of new media in support of learning. Register your interest at dmlcompetition.net/pligg/story.php?title=302
National Photographic Competition for your Visitors
The UK Energy Research Centre (UK ERC) are launching a fantastic competition to get children and young people involved in the issues around climate change. We fully support their goals and mission and would be delighted if you would like to celebrate this with your visitors. They are asking young people from around the UK to explore what low carbon living could actually mean, and to reproduce these ideas through photographs and short stories.
If you would like to get involved please contact the Events Assistant at UK ERC, Gabi Tait, on Gabi.tait@ouce.ox.ac.uk or visit their website tinyurl.com/Photo-CompetitionUKERC
Kids in Museums, the Guardian Award 2009: ASDC Members shortlisted
The Guardian Award 2009
The biggest museum award in Britain has managed to whittle down the huge piles of nominations for the 2009 Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award, and here at ASDC we are delighted to see many of our members in the final 20.
Our congratulations go to Thinktank in Birmingham, The Horniman Museum in London, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum in Cornwall, Snibsten Discovery Park in Leicestershire and The World Museum in Liverpool, who have all been short-listed in the biggest ever year for nominations.
We wish them luck in the next stage where a panel of judges chaired by Jenny Abramsky of the Heritage Lottery Fund will select some for road-testing by families.
For updates and further details of this award please visit
www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/the-guardian-award/
IUCN releases climate change hit list
Just prior to Copenhagen, the IUCN released a report profiling the species-level impacts of global warming.
According to the report, Species and Climate Change, some of the Earths most iconic species, such as the emperor penguin, koala and leatherback turtle, are amongst those expected to be hardest hit.
www.arkive.org/news/20091214-iucn-releases-climate-change-hit-list.html
Scottish Government Celebrates Science
The Scottish Governments Do something creative. Do science marketing campaign, is due for another run over the coming months. www.infoscotland.com/science
If you would like branded campaign materials, including A3 and A2 posters of the existing campaign artwork including fashion, football and musicians and some new images (tiger and dancer) to display or distribute in your organisation or at relevant events please contact Positiveaboutscience@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
This offer is open to all Scottish Centres
Concern that Rarely Cover policy may have negative impact on school visits
New rules from September 1 2009
There have been a number of questions raised about the new situation in schools where teachers should rarely cover the absences of other teachers. Some schools are saying this makes school trips very difficult.
DCSF believe that rarely cover only applies to unforeseeable events such as someone phoning in sick. Foreseeable events, which include things like learning outside the classroom and CPD, should be included in the school's timetable.
DCSF have released a statement to affirm their commitment to school visits as an integrated part of the curriculum.
In August 2009 the DCSF stated "There is absolutely no reason why schools should stop providing school trips because of the rarely-cover provisions" and reaffirmed that the Department recognised that "Schools trips should be an integral part of every child's education and personal development and provision for them should be included in school calendars and timetables"
The DCSF has reaffirmed that it would expect LOtC activities to be built into an integrated curriculum. The 2009 School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document, which came into effect on the 1 September 2009, explains that learning outside the classroom is an important part of the curriculum and that provision should be included in school calendars and timetables. For further information on rarely cover, please go to:
www.tda.gov.uk/remodelling/nationalagreement/cover
And to see the full guidance go to:
www.teachernet.gov.uk
Lord Drayson says REF will give points for public outreach
We are delighted to announce that researchers have received confirmation that they will be rewarded in the forthcoming Research Excellence framework (REF) for engaging the public with their work.
Lord Drayson, the Science Minister, said the Government was changing the way it judged academic performance because it took the agenda of public engagement very seriously. He added, we believe that scientists have a duty particularly when they are funded by the tax-payer to engage in the public arena.
www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/...
Ecsite news
- Ecsite Directors' Forum 2009 - Experimentarium, Hellerup, Denmark 20th and 21st of November 2009
- 2011 International Year of Chemistry What do you plan to do?
- Ecsite Annual Conference 2009 Photo archive now online
- Partners from the NANOTOTOUCH project are preparing their staff and making practical plans for the setup phase of the open lab and researcher live spaces
- The Pilots project continues to gather data for its European survey on the status, the roles, the activities and the training needs of explainers
Charity Commission News
The latest edition of the Charity Commission News, their twice-yearly newsletter to keep trustees and the public up to date with the important issues affecting charities, has now been published on their website (see below).
This edition contains the findings of their second economic survey of charities during the downturn. The newsletter also includes:
- Details of new reports, including those for charities thinking about their environmental responsibility, charities in Wales and an interesting look at the relationship between charities, their beneficiaries and the public.
- Advice on Serious Incident Reporting.
- Information about the compulsory pension changes in 2012
www.charitycommission.gov.uk/...
UKRC News and Events
Their latest newsletter is now available online at www.ukrc4setwomen.org and highlights include:
- Woman of Outstanding Achievement & Cardiff engineering shows
- Essentials for Leadership Success (1st-2nd October 2009 in London)
New Roadmap for Public Dialogue in Science & Technology
Public engagement experts have published a new collection of essays setting out their view of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in creating greater public involvement in policy-making in science & technology.
The Road Ahead has been produced by the Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre for Public Dialogue in Science & Innovation (Sciencewise-ERC). The eight essays by policy makers, prominent leaders in the field of science engagement, and dialogue participants review the development of public dialogue in science over the past few years and raise questions about its future direction.
The Road Ahead can be downloaded from the Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre at www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk/...
Latest News from The Technology Academy Foundation
The Technology Academy Foundation was previously the Millennium Prize Foundation. The search for the 2010 winner of the Millennium Technology Prize is now under way and candidates from all technological sectors are eligible. The nomination period ends on 1 October 2009.
Further information can be found on www.millenniumprize.fi/prize
Wellcome Trust on Twitter
The Wellcome Trust is now on Twitter www.twitter.com/wellcometrust, the microblogging social networking tool, provides an additional channel for information about the Trusts news, events & activities.
Animated Adventures Touring Exhibition
There is one last slot to book this fantastic exhibition before it reaches the end of its five year tour in the UK. It is a great family exhibition which features those incredibly popular characters Wallace & Gromit. The exhibition tells the story of the making of the film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit using Aardmans animators own words, sketches, drawings, photographs and seven original and amazing sets. The exhibition also comes with interactive where visitors can add sound effects, create animations, colour characters on screen and much more. Last hire slot is mid January to mid April 2010, rental £8k (plus VAT) a month, insurance, plus inbound transport. Requires 200-250 sqm.
Please contact Sally Montgomery at W5 for further information: sallymontgomery@w5online.co.uk
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