News
Newsletter for UK Science and Discovery Centres
We are now inviting nominations for trustees to the ASDC Board.
Are you keen to play a more strategic role in the nation's engagement with science?
Would you like to shape the way the UK’s 50 member science and discovery centres, science museums, environmental centres and science engagement organisations work together to inspire the nation?
ASDC is now inviting nominations from all member centres for election to the board of trustees. Please click here for further details.
Ingenious grant scheme for creative public engagement with engineering projects is now open
Do you have an imaginative idea that helps engineers to communicate their expertise and passion for engineering with a
wider audience?
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Ingenious grant is a scheme for creative public engagement with engineering projects. The call is now open for proposals that aim to encourage deeper discussions between engineers and the wider public about the implications of engineering for society (for example, cultural and ethical impacts).
To date, Ingenious has funded over 50 projects, providing opportunities for over 1000 engineers to take part in thought-provoking activities, gain skills in communication, and bring engineering to the very centre of society.
Proposals are welcome from engineers and engineering organisations and institutions, universities, science and engineering communicators, public engagement specialists, colleges and schools. Funding is available from £3000 to £30,000.
Full details including case studies and previous projects are available on their website.
The deadline for applications is 29th October 2010.
Call to host the Ecsite Annual Conference 2013/2014
Ecsite is looking for Host institutions to co-organise its Annual Conferences in 2013 and 2014.
Institutions wishing to co-organise the Ecsite Annual Conference 2013 or 2014 should submit a proposal, following the guidelines on the attached pdf, by October 31st 2010 to Catherine Franche, Executive Director, Ecsite: cfranche@ecsite.eu
Science Centre's success noted in Parliament
The work of the Centre for Life in Newcastle is being supported by North East MPs who have been
responding to an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Chi Onwurah.
Chi Onwurah, the newly-elected Labour MP for Newcastle Central, recently visited the Centre for Life where she met with local school children taking part in science workshops, and tabled an EDM which congratulated the centre on its recent tenth birthday and believes it has been a leading force in studying and promoting the advancement of life sciences. 20 MPs including Alan Campbell, Labour MP for Tynemouth, have signed the Motion.
Since opening in May 2000, Life has gained international recognition for its work in scientific research and its public science centre, which hosts major science-themed exhibitions and events and welcomes around 225,000 visitors each year. Life also provides the largest number of science workshops in Europe, offering around 40,000 educational experiences to young people each year.
A series of public events is taking place in 2010 to mark Life’s 10th anniversary and celebrate the successes achieved over the last decade, details of which are provided on their website, along with the full press release from Chi’s visit.
Education Committee announce new inquiry: Behaviour and discipline in schools
Inspirational Out of school science experiences can be a powerful way to re-inspire students with learning and help them to
discover and explore the world around them.
If you currently work with young offenders, excluded students or students with behavioural difficulties, we would urge you to submit evidence to this enquiry on the work of your own organisations and science centres and museums in general.
The Education Committee is announcing an inquiry into behaviour and discipline in schools. Written submissions are invited, addressing the following points:
- How to support and reinforce positive behaviour in schools
- The nature and level of challenging behaviour by pupils in schools, and the impact upon schools and their staff
- Approaches taken by schools and local authorities to address challenging behaviour, including fixed-term and permanent exclusions
- Ways of engaging parents and carers in managing their children's challenging behaviour
- How special educational needs can best be recognised in schools' policies on behaviour and discipline
- The efficacy of alternative provision for pupils excluded from school because of their behaviour
- Links between attendance and behaviour in schools
- The Government's proposals regarding teachers' powers to search pupils, removal of the requirement for written notice of detentions outside school hours, and the extent of teachers' disciplinary powers, as announced by the Department on 7 July
The Committee asks for written submissions in accordance with the guidelines below by noon on Wednesday 29 September 2010.
Full details are available from the Education Committee's website.
Invitation to contribute: Ecsite strategic planning consultation
In the four years since this framework was adopted, the Ecsite Annual Conference has grown significantly, our field continues
to evolve in terms of types and number of organisations, the expectations of the public and the stakeholders are changing and
new legitimate demands from our members are becoming apparent. In response to these changes, the Board took the decision to
undertake a new strategic process, with the previous Decision making framework as a starting point.
This new strategic process aims to reassess the Core and Strategic Values of Ecsite and produce an action plan for the next 3 years.
Having worked on the Core and Strategic Values, and proposed associated actions for each value, the Board now formally invites the members of Ecsite to give their opinions and submit ideas on the implementation of these values.
The online consultation page describes the three core values and four strategic values identified by the strategic planning committee. For each Value, the document identifies a number of signal behaviours; general activities we undertake as a network in order to put across these values. For each signal behaviour, the committee proposes a number of associated actions; specific, practical means of implementing these activities.
We warmly encourage you to share your ideas and to send your comments to the Ecsite office through the online consultation page. Please submit your suggestions before October 8th 2010. Thank you - we count on your strong input in order to put these values into action.
Bursaries available as The Little Event returns to Thinktank
The Little Event returns to Thinktank in Birmingham on Tuesday 7th September from 10am - 5pm and we have 15 bursaries available to cover your costs!
The Little Event is for people who are relatively new to STEM communication, whether they work in a science centre or museum, volunteer for a festival, are involved in university outreach, or do anything else to engage people with sciences. It’s a lot like the BIG Event, but a bit smaller, and all crammed into one busy day.
But of course it isn’t just about the sessions, it’s the people you meet there too. The Little Event also presents a great opportunity to meet people from across the UK working in similar roles and sharing similar experiences. The programme for the day will include sessions on Learning & Evaluation, Interacting with the public, Presenting and Careers.
The price is £45 for BIG members, and £95 for non-members. However, we also have some free places! Thanks to generous support from Graphic Science, StoryCog, and BIG, we are able to offer 15 bursaries to help those who would otherwise not be able to attend. Each bursary is worth £100 which includes 1 year’s BIG membership, registration fees for the Little Event and £25 towards travel expenses. Applying is simple, just tell us on the registration form why you would like the opportunity to come to the Event and how you think it will benefit your personal and professional development.
We appreciate that some of you may not be able to attend unless you receive a bursary. You will not be invoiced/charged until AFTER the bursary decision has been made when you will have the opportunity to withdraw your registration.
To book, please visit www.big.uk.com/events/little-event/.
Making Fire with Water - Science Demonstration wins top accolade
Staff from Newcastle’s Life Science Centre have scooped first and third place in a top industry competition. The British
Interactive Group (BIG) Best Demo competition was held at The BIG Event, an annual conference for people involved in
interactive science communication which this year was held at the Life Science Centre last week from 21-23 July.
The Best Demo competition involved over 20 science communicators, national and international, delivering three-minute demonstrations which were then judged on their scientific and educational content; visual appeal; ease of understanding and general entertainment factor. Farrah Nazir, of Heaton, Science Explainer at Life, took first place in the competition with her ‘Lighting a Match with Water’ demonstration.
“Using two blowtorches and a camping stove I showed that steam can be superheated to temperatures hot enough to ignite a match. Super-heated steam is hot but not wet and where there is oxygen, heat and fuel there is fire” she says.
“I'm thrilled to have won BIG's Best Demo competition - it's judged by our industry peers who have very high standards.”
The Life Science Centre aims to inspire curiosity in science through an imaginative programme of exhibitions and events, to raise standards in science education for young people and to engage everyone in contemporary science issues, such as climate change and stem cell technology. BIG is the UK’s organisation for people involved in interactive science communication activities.
The full story can be read here.
David Willetts delivers his first speech on the Government's vision for science in the UK
On Friday 9th July, David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, delivered his first speech on the Government's vision for science in the UK.
The talk was held at the Royal Institution's famous Farraday lecture theatre and is available to read in full on
the BIS website.
Royal Society launches seminal education report
A new report published by the Royal Society has found that the majority of England's primary schools do not have
the science specialist teachers needed to provide a high quality science education.
Click here to read the report in full.
Change of Committee Name from the House of Commons
On 15th June 2010 The House of Commons decided that the Children, Schools and Families Committee should be renamed the Education
Committee, in line with the change of name of the Government Department.
The remit of the Committee will reflect that of the Department for Education and will continue to include policy on education and children's services. Full details of the Department's remit can be found at www.education.gov.uk. Responsibility for monitoring Government policy on skills and higher education remains with the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee.
Information on the Committee and its work will in future be found here.
The latest newsletter from Sciencewise-ERC is now available online
Sciencewise-ERC is the UK's national centre for public dialogue in policy making involving science and technology issues.
Their latest newsletter is now available online featuring articles on synthetic biology, animals containing human material,
ethical dimensions in Sciencewise-ERC... and many more. Click here to read the newsletter in full.
Biodiversity is Life
The latest newsletter from IYB-UK, the UK partnerships for the International Year of Biodiversity is now available with
highlights including conservation traineeships for young people, details of an exercise lead by the National Committee to
identify places in the UK that meet the new (2008) IUCN definition of &lsqui;protected’ areas, and forthcoming events and
conferences. To read the newsletter in full please visit the biodiversity is life website.
Nominations for the 2010 Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement now open
Nominations for the 2010 Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement are now open. The Josh Award is an annual
award that recognises excellence and innovation in science engagement. The winner will be announced and presented with the
award at the Manchester Science Festival this October.
The award is open to anyone involved in science engagement, who is recognised as an up and coming talent, with innovative and new ideas. As well as a cash prize and a trophy, the winner will be appointed Science Communicator in residence at the 2011 Manchester Science Festival.
Previous winners include Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists, Karen Bultitude from the University of the West of England and David Price from Science Made Simple.
To find out more and download the nomination form and guidelines head to the Manchester Science Festival website: www.manchestersciencefestival.com
Jodrell bank secure funding for their new Science Discovery Centre
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have confirmed
funding of £3.1 million to kick start the development of a new science and discovery centre at Manchester's famous Jodrell Bank
Observatory.
The announcement coincides with confirmation that the exciting redevelopment project has been granted planning permission by Cheshire East Council, meaning that work could start on site as soon as next month. The new-look centre is predicted to attract thousands of extra visitors to the Observatory every year and will help to generate an additional £26 million for the regional economy over the next decade.
Click here for the full press release: www.nwda.co.uk or visit the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre website to keep up to date with progress and latest developments: www.jb.man.ac.uk
The International Year of Chemistry 2011
The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its
contributions to the well-being of humankind. Under the unifying theme “Chemistry-our life, our future,” IYC 2011 will offer a
range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages. The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across
the globe, with opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and national level.
The goals of IYC2011 are to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. The year 2011 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie-an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science. For full details of events and how to get involved visit www.chemistry20111.org
National Marine Aquarium names new Managing Director
The National Marine Aquarium has appointed Dr. David Gibson as its new Managing Director, replacing Andrew Robertson who leaves
after two successful years at the aquarium.
Dr. Gibson, who took up the role at the beginning of the New Year, has been given a remit to establish the aquarium as the foremost public aquarium in the UK, not only in terms of being a world class visitor attraction but also as a centre of excellence for marine education, research and conservation. Dr. Gibson arrives with a wealth of experience gained from over fifteen years working in the Zoo and Aquarium community. Most notably he spent eight years at The Deep in Hull where he was Assistant Chief Executive. He joins the National Marine Aquarium from Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland, where he was the Executive Director.
David Pridden, Chairman of Trustees of the National Marine Aquarium, said ‘As a popular tourist attraction, the NMA is in great shape with a firm financial basis. We now want to take it to the next level - with education, research and conservation activities at the core. I believe David's expertise will allow us to develop stronger links and partnerships with organisations in research, science and learning’.
Dr. Gibson added ‘I am extremely excited about taking up my new role. The facility has tremendous potential and, working with the staff and management, I am very confident that the National Marine Aquarium can become internationally renowned as a centre of knowledge and expertise in the marine environment’.
ASDC & BBC Focus launch smartphone channel Find Focus
BBC Worldwide's popular science and technology magazine Focus has teamed up with The Association for Science and Discovery Centres to launch
a smartphone channel called Find Focus, which allows users to locate science and discovery centres around the UK.
This exciting new initiative uses ’augmented reality‘ technology and aims to promote science and technology to users.
Wherever you are in the UK, your smartphone will be able to show where your nearest centre is. The channel will also
provide a real-time retail locator for Focus, which is a first for the magazine industry. You will be able to download
the Find Focus channel through the Layar smartphone app from 3rd June 2010. Full details will be
available at www.bbcfocusmagazine.com
Wellcome Trust publishes 10-year Strategic Plan
The Wellcome Trust supports research of the highest quality with the aim of improving human and animal health, and their
Strategic Plan provides the framework for how they intend to evolve their support to be even more effective in achieving this
aim.
Their decision to develop a ten-year Strategic Plan for 2010-12 reflects the long-term view they take in supporting research and the complex and global nature of the challenges that we face. The document can be veiwed in full on their website: www.wellcome.ac.uk
ASTC Lee Kimche McGrath Worldwide Fellowship Application Available
The 2010 application for the ASTC Lee Kimche McGrath Worldwide Fellowship, supporting participation in the ASTC Annual Conference by individuals from science centres and museums outside the United States, is available. Details and application can be found at www.astc.org
This year's annual conference will take place October 2-5, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii and is hosted by the Bishop Museum. For more information on this year's conference program, visit the conference page at www.astc.org/conference
The fellowship offers complimentary registration to the 2010 ASTC Annual Conference, and a stipend of up to $1,500 US toward cost of conference travel and lodging.
Deadline for submission is May 28, 2009.
We look forward to a strong international presence at this year's conference, and hope the Fellowship will offer an opportunity for members of the UK science and discovery centres network that might not otherwise consider attending.
New FREE Alumni Network for CREST Award winners
Do you have a CREST Award?
Do you know someone who does?
In the past 23 years over 300,000 people in the UK have achieved a CREST Award and we would like to invite all of them to become members of the FREE CREST Alumni Network.
All members of the CREST Alumni Network will receive our biannual newsletter, edited by a CREST alumnus, giving them news and updates on the CREST scheme, information about British Science Association events and how members could get involved and updates of other opportunities through our partners. The network will provide many other benefits including the ability to get back in touch with lost CREST friends, and inspiring future generations of students to take up creative & investigatory projects.
For full details and to sign up to the alumni network please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/crestalumni
Centre of the Cell wins Educational Initiative Award
Centre of the Cell, the science education centre at Queen Mary, University of London, has won the
Educational Initiative award at the 2010 Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence.
The ‘Oscars’ of the museums' world, the awards represent the very best of the sector, and the winners were announced last night in a prestigious ceremony at Church House, Westminster.
Centre of the Cell is the first science education centre in the world to be located within biomedical research laboratories, part of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary. The Centre provides young people with a unique interactive insight into what scientists do and how their work influences real life.
Centre of the Cell has been applauded for its novel approach to science education since it was opened in September last year and has run 340 shows since opening. Sessions are available for schools during term time and for families and the general public during school holidays.
To read the latest update about exciting new resources and upcoming events at Centre of the Cell, click here
Latest news and events from Ecsite Europe
The latest newsletter from Ecsite Europe is now available with specific highlights including; booking details for their
June conference, news from the Ecsite Projects (including Time for Nano), and various other events across Europe and the UK.
To read the full newsletter please click here: www.ecsite.eu
Latest news and events for the International Year of Biodiversity 2010
The latest developments, news and events for the International Year of Biodiversity are
available here: www.biodiversityislife.net. Articles include the Young
Darwin Prize, competitions and festivals, and news of media recognition of the pending International Day of
Biodiversity on May 22.
Volunteering support for Science and Discovery Centres
Science and discovery centres across the UK regularly utilise volunteers
to help deliver their services, and these volunteers offer a diverse range
of skills and experience that enhance centres and what they can offer the community.
Volunteering England is the national volunteering development agency & can help can help science and discovery centres with their volunteering provision. They represent and support organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in England and offer information on good practice, research and impact assessment, and policy in the involvement of volunteers. Visit their website for an excellent bank of resources including research publications, information sheets, latest events and opportunities; www.volunteering.org.uk
A Wellcome Trust public survey reveals public support for research
The Wellcome Trust have recently published a large-scare report on public support for medical research. The report includes a look at the scientific literacy of the cohort they examined (nearly 1,200 adults and nearly 400 4-18 year-olds). Some interesting points were raised including:
- More than half (55%) of young people had visited a scientific place of interest in the last year; the most popular places included zoos and 'science museums'
- 69% of adults and 81% of young people said they found science lessons very or fairly interesting at school
To view the complete report, visit the Wellcome Trust page
Making Science Matter: Collaborations Between Informal Science Education Organisations and Schools
A newly published report is now available from CAISE which examines collaborations
between informal science education organisations and schools.
CAISE - The Centre for Advancement of Informal Science Education, focuses its work on
improving informal science education practice, documenting evidence of impact, and communication
the contributions of informal science education. The report is available to read on their
website, Caise resources
Jodrell Bank plans new ‘live science’ visitor centre
A new Discovery Centre to inspire budding young scientists and showcase cutting-edge research ‘as it happens’ is being planned for The University of Manchester's famous Jodrell Bank Observatory.
A formal planning application has been submitted and funding is being sought for the plans, which are part of a wider development of the visitor facilities including a 'Planet Pavilion' entrance building, a new multi-purpose exhibition and events and education space, and landscaping of the Arboretum including a new Galaxy Maze and Space Garden.
The plans are predicted to attract thousands of extra visitors to the site which is part of the University's School of Physics and Astronomy. Anyone wanting to keep up to date with progress and latest developments can visit the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre website at www.jb.man.ac.uk/visitorcentre. People also have the option to join the New Friends of Jodrell Bank scheme.
New website developed by MLA to assist your work with Schools
The MLA has recently developed a web based tool to assist you in planning strategically, particularly around your work with schools.
This tool is an online database that can analyse your school booking details around attainment figures, frequency of visits to your venue, driving distance, socio-economic data, index of deprivation and ethnicity. For example if you would like to work with schools who haven't visited you before, who are 30 minutes away, and who have low science scores this tool can tell you - it'll even help you print the mailing labels! Click here for further details: www.mlaschools.org.uk
The Living Rainforest's Sustainability Conference: Feedback and Materials
After the successful conference hosted by The Living Rainforest several people asked for copies of
the powerpoint presentations. These are now available at www.livingrainforest.org/charity/seminar-downloads/
The feedback received so far has been much appreciated & suggests that the majority of attendees found it a stimulating and useful event. Much of this feedback will be used to help organize the follow-up conference:
Embedding Sustainability: Practical pathways for operational and educational practice in public education/engagement institutions (29 September.
We hope you'll join us again and let others know as we move from considering wider strategic questions to examining practical issues facing the public education/ engagement sector.
Further details and booking forms available here
Futurelab prepare to publish conclusions of its latest research into home-school relationships and digital participation
Two handbooks are due to be published shortly by Futurelab on ‘Developing the home-school
relationship using digital technologies’ and ‘Digital literacy across the curriculum’.
The first seeks to understand the needs and aspirations of teachers, parents and children for
effective relationships between home and school. The second is aimed at teachers and school leaders who are
interested in creative and critical uses of technology in the classroom.
For more information on the project and to pre-order your FREE copy please click on the appropriate link below or email Claire Denney with the number of copies required and the date by which you would need them. The handbooks can be viewed here:
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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