News for the UK’s Science & Discovery Centres
February 2009
Welcome to our February newsletter
A warm welcome to our February newsletter on these magnificently snowy days. We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent from our new offices on the Bristol Harbourside. Please do come and visit us here.
This newsletter is packed full of announcements and invites to events and meetings celebrating both science and the individuals involved. We're also delighted to see the Government celebrating the breadth and creativity of science in its new ‘Science: So What? – So Everything’ campaign described below.
Finally we give you the latest on the DIUS research into the UK’s Science and Discovery Centres, weblinks to the results of Government's UK Science and Society Strategy Consultation and of course a selection of funding and marketing opportunities.
Warm wishes
Dr Penny Fidler, Director of The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT
Government launches Science Campaign
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation has launched a nationwide campaign to improve the image of Science.
Science: So What? – So Everything went live on 28 January 2009 and aims to increase awareness about the value of science to our everyday lives and how ‘it is the key to our prosperity, and keeps Britain at the leading edge’. Please let us know if you can support or promote this campaign in anyway.
For further information visit:sciencesowhat.direct.gov.uk
Update on DIUS research into Science and Discovery Centres
Frontier Economics has now completed the data collection element of their Impact Assessment of UK Science and Discovery Centres. The results have been initially analysed and we expect the report to be available around March 2009.
Following the analysis of the questionnaires (returned by a very high proportion of our members), Frontier Economics undertook in-depth interviews with Thinktank, Explore-At-Bristol, Catalyst, Intech and Eden. We thank all centres who took part in this important study.
I will send the report to all members when it becomes available.
A Vision for Science & Society - consultation responses
Government has summarised the results of last year’s Science & Society Strategy Consultation, launched at Thinktank, Birmingham. The Consultation generated over 3000 responses (many from our members) and can be found hereinteractive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site
This report is simply a summary of responses and doesn’t yet represent Government strategy... To take just one quote from it, "The responses indicated support for more to be done by scientists, museums and science centres to engage with society".
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres response on this web site (PDF)
Community Infrastructure Levy
The introduction of a new tax, The Community Infrastructure Levy, is at the Committee stage in the House of Lords. This tax potentially will affect a number of us as it will be levied on the development of land and buildings, with no exemption for charities.
A Question and Answer fact sheetexplains how this new tax will work; how it will affect the Sector; and what you should do if you want to obtain an exemption.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
STFC Science in Society Funding Reminder
STFC funding is available to engage the public in areas relating to astronomy, planetary and solar science, lasers and nuclear and particle physics. STFC also encourage partnership projects and those that relate to current science and technology projects (e.g. the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the International Year of Astronomy 2009).
For full details visit:www.scitech.ac.uk/PandS/Fund/All/Funds.aspx
Wellcome Trust Society Awards
Deadline for preliminary applications is 9 April 2009
Society Awards are for ambitious and creative projects that engage people with developments in biomedical science on a regional or national scale.
Their aim is to encourage people of all ages and walks of life to learn about these developments and have an opportunity to consider, question and debate the implications and issues arising from such work. By inspiring, informing and involving whole communities, Society Awards enable people to consider and discuss issues that affect them, those close to them and the world in which they live.
www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/ Public-engagement/Grants/Society-Awards
Study Travel Scholarship
Deadline for applications: 27 March 2009
Applications for the Madeleine Mainstone Trust Study Scholarship are invited from museum staff in the European Union, or persons engaged in a post-graduate course in museum studies within the Union with the intention of taking up employment in museum.
The 2009 - 2010 Scholarship consists of a grant of £1000 towards travel and expenses, to be used to pursue a specific education services project in museums in the Netherlands or the UK.
For more information visit:ceca.icom.museum/ 01_cms/details.asp?ID=15
British Science Association – Media Fellowships
Can you write about science accurately, clearly and engagingly?
Deadline for applications: 10 March 2009
Spend 3-8 weeks with a media host on a summer placement, working with them to produce the news. Return to work understanding the media world, with more confidence about future forays into it. Develop your writing skills. Imagine producing funding applications and journal articles that are more concise, more readable and completed quicker!
For details about the Media Fellowships scheme, including an online application form, visit
[archived page - link removed]
Sponsored by BBSRC, EPRSC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, The Royal Academy of Engineering and The Royal Society.
MARKETING AND PR OPPORTUNITIES
National Science and Engineering Week
During National Science and Engineering Week (6-15 March 2009), thousands of events run throughout the country in schools, museums, shopping centres and even pubs.
Enter an event onto the online NSEW programme - you need to be a registered user.
If you are a registered user - enter an event in the programme.
Search the online events programme.
Science and Society Events Calendar
Have you visited The Science Policy and Communication Information website, www.scienceandsociety.info? It has recently been updated to include a Google calendar with science and society events for 2009.
If you would like to include a meeting, festival or event on the calendar please send the date, time, title and a brief description to Gillian Pepper, Science Policy and Communication Consultant:
gillian@gillian-pepper.org
Guidance on Applying for Brown Tourist Board Signs
For those that have asked us how to get these signs:
The Highways Agency's website provides useful details about how the brown traffic signs for tourist businesses are awarded in England:
www.highways.gov.uk/business/2147.aspx
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Embedding Dialogue and Debate – Great news for UK centres
At-Bristol, in partnership with The Association for Science and Discovery Centres, are being supported by the Wellcome Trust to deliver an exciting new professional development programme for professionals within UK Science and Discovery Centres.
Focusing on sharing knowledge and enhancing skills in dialogue and debate throughout the UK, the project aims to bring together and share expertise in dialogue between centres across the UK. The first step is a needs analysis and we will be in touch with all member centres over the coming months.
This project will provide funding for 150 science communication staff from centres across the UK to come together to participate in a continued professional development work programme, hosted by four different centres around the UK, and supported by a bursary scheme.
Watch this space for more info in 2009!
Earth Hour Event, 28 March 2009
Take part in the next Earth Hour event organised by WWF on 28 March 2009. Earth Hour is the worldwide event where individuals, businesses, and even cities turn out lights for one hour at 8:30 pm local time to demonstrate that people can make an impact on global warming.
We, along with ASTC and IGLO are asking members to participate in this worldwide event not only by turning out the lights, but also by planning special activities for Earth Hour at their own organisations.
For further information and ways that you can participate go to:www.astc.org/iglo
NEWS FROM EUROPE
Invitation to European Parliament Science Communication Event
The Ecsite network is developing its role of raising the profile of science centres and museums among the European institutions. In this context, Ecsite is organising an event at the European Parliament in Brussels on 18 February 2009 to promote the importance of our field to officers of the European Commission and parliamentarians. As part of this event, Ecsite will present a round table on the role of science centres and museums in European society with a range of high-profile speakers, alongside six selected best practices in informal learning and engagement activities from Ecsite members across Europe.
Detailed programme of the event [archived - link removed].
Latest Publications
American Report on Informal Science Education
The U.S. National Research Council has recently released its report Learning Science in Informal Environments: Places, People, and Pursuits.
According to the NRC, "tens of millions of Americans, young and old, choose to learn about science in informal ways - by visiting museums and aquariums, attending after-school programs, pursuing personal hobbies, and watching TV documentaries, for example. There is abundant evidence that these programs and settings, and even everyday experiences such as a walk in the park, contribute to people's knowledge and interest in science."
Working with the Wider Education Agenda
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has published its employer engagement strategy, Building Stronger Partnerships with Schools, Colleges, Children and Families as part of the Children’s Plan one year on document.
The strategy gives practical ideas for how employers can be involved with Schools and Colleges in new and exciting ways.
See 14-19 education and skills news archive section for further details.
Are Worksheets Effective?
The Institute of Biology (IoB) recently published an article in its Journal of Biology Education looking at the use of worksheets in museum education: ‘Acquiring knowledge about biodiversity in a museum – are worksheets effective?’
[archived page - link removed]
New Open University Science Communication Books
The Open University now offers a new MSc course in science communication and the below associated books:
Practising Science Communication in the Information Age - Theorising Professional Practices
Innovation and Early Years Publications
Futurelab have produced two new free publications on innovative education and early years learning.
Supporting innovation in schools
The new handbook, ‘Promoting Transformative Innovation in Schools’, is designed to prompt debate around the nature and purpose of innovation in schools offering evidence, insights, ideas and recommendations.
Download at www.futurelab.org.uk/handbooks
Early Years Learning
A new report, ‘Perspectives on Early Years and Digital Technologies’ investigates the role of digital technologies in early years learning.
Download at www.futurelab.org.uk/openingeducation
DIARY DATES
Learning Outside the Classroom - Training
February and March 2009, Various Venues
The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge went live at the end of January 2009 and as leading out of the classroom providers we should all be signed up to this.
The Group for Education in Museums (GEM) will be delivering training in February and March 2009 to help with your application for the badge for those in the heritage, built environment and sacred spaces sectors.
Attendance at these events is free A maximum of two individuals can attend from any one organisation.
Please download the booking form from www.gem.org.uk or contact the GEM office: office@gem.org.uk. Places are limited to 30 per venue and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Please note, there will be a charge of £20 for any individual cancelling less than one week prior to the event.
Darwin Dates
12 February 2009 - Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday
24 November 2009 - Publication of ‘On the Origin of Species’
Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow
Workshop on Leadership and Organisational Development
19 February 2009, Place, Birkbeck University, Central London
Find out how you can join cultural institutions from across the museum, library, and archive sector to secure funding to develop the leaders of tomorrow and strengthen your organisation.
Applications are encouraged from the MLA Sector. For more information on this and other opportunities see www.culturalleadership.org.uk
The event is heavily subsidised by LCACE and the Cultural Leadership Programme. For further details please visit the LCACE website at: www.lcace.org.uk/events
BIG Event – Deadline for Session Proposals
Deadline for proposals: 20 February, 2009
Just a reminder that the deadline for submitting session proposals for the British Interactive Group (BIG) event 2009 is imminent!
This is a fabulous opportunity to participate at the 2009 Event held at the world famous Royal Institution of Great Britain on 22-24 July.
Guidelines for sessions can be downloaded from: www.big.uk.com/events and must be submitted by 20 February 2009.
Public Promotion of Engineering Medal
Closing date for nominations: 20 February, 2009
Call for nominations for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Public Promotion of Engineering Medal 2009.
The Public Promotion of Engineering Medal is awarded to an individual, small team or organisation who has contributed to the Academy's aims and work in promoting engineering to the public.
Please visit the Academy website at: www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/public where you can find details on the Award and how to submit a nomination.
Royal Society Awards for Science Communication and Public Engagement
Closing date for nominations for both awards: 23 February, 2009
Royal Society Kohn Award for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science
Nominate a colleague (or even yourself) for this prestigious award for engaging the public with science. Worth £10,000, it rewards UK-based early-career scientists or science communicators who have undertaken high-quality public engagement activities which has had (or will have) a strategic impact on institutions, organisations and cultures, and whose career and future public engagement activities will benefit from the award.
Full details of the Award, including eligibility requirements and how to nominate can be accessed at:
royalsociety.org/kohnaward
The Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize
Nominate a colleague for the Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize, the UK's premier award for science communication. The award was established by the Royal Society in 1986 and is given annually to the scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary.
Full details of the Award, including eligibility requirements and how to nominate can be accessed at:
royalsociety.org/faraday
The Big Bang – the UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair
4 & 5 March 2009, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London
The 2009 event is a collaboration between many science and engineering institutions led by the British Science Association and Young Engineers, with support from the ETB (Engineering Technology Board). It will comprise of the national celebrations for the CREST and Young Engineers schemes as well as interactive exhibits, demonstrations and shows for visiting school groups. The new National Science Competition’s final will be held at the Fair.
National Science and Engineering Week
6 - 15 March, 2009
National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten day celebration of science, engineering and technology. Some of the activities happening during 2009 include:
- 'Save our Bees' campaign:
www.saveourbees.org.uk - Change Exchange - online mass participation activity where you can talk to scientists and engineers about where you would like, or think that, science and technology can take us in the future:
www.changeexchange.org.uk - Darwin in space - an imaginative nationwide school competition to explore what Darwin had travelled to another planet.
- 2009 Climate Diary - a project collecting stories, photographs and memories of the small and large ways climate change is affecting us all in the UK.
- How unique are you? - an online activity to look at a set of distinctive but easy to measure characteristics which are controlled (mostly) by your DNA.
Information about all of these can be found at www.nsew.org.uk.
UKRC 2009 Photographic Exhibition Launch
11 March, 2009, Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London
Annette Williams, Director of the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) cordially invites you to our launch reception to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in SET:
www.ukrc4setwomen.org/html/ news-and-events/events/?event_id=1025
UKRC Annual Conference – Science, Engineering and Technology – A vision for 2030
12 March, 2009, Hotel Andaz, Liverpool Street, London
www.ukrc4setwomen.org/html/ news-and-events/events/?event_id=976
Brain Awareness Week 2009
16 - 22 March, 2009
Evolving Science Communication Symposium: learn, adapt, collaborate
26 & 27 March, 2009, Watershed Media Centre, Bristol
The Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, Bristol is delighted to announce the Evolving Science Communication symposium.
The symposium will be a meeting ground for academics and practitioners in the field of Public Engagement with Science and Technology. The symposium will explore key issues facing the sector including:
- transferability
- sustainability
- demonstrating impacts
- sharing knowledge
- collaborative working
This event is supported by the Wellcome Trust. For further information go to:
scu.uwe.ac.uk/index.php?q=node/182
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres team would be happy to meet with any UK members after the event on the 27th, just let us know.
Adult Learners’ Week 2009
9 - 15 May, 2009
Use Adult Learners' Week to celebrate and market your family and adult learning activities!
Adult Learners’ Week, which is the UK’s largest festival of learning. Coordinated each May by NIACE (the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education), it promotes the benefits of adult learning to adults in all their diversity.
Adult Learners’ Week inspires thousands back into learning every year by celebrating outstanding adult learners and by running events and activities across England to encourage others to have a go.
For more information on how you can get involved and make the most of Adult Learners’ Week, visit the campaign website now at www.alw.org.uk.
Ecsite Annual Conference 2009
4 - 6 June, 2009, Milan, Italy
Join Science and Discovery Centre staff from across Europe for the Annual Ecsite conference in Milan next June. Visit the website for further details: www.ecsite-conference.net.
Science Communication Conference 2009
22 & 23 June, 2009, Kings Place, central London
The Science Communication Conference, organised by the British Science Association in partnership with the Wellcome Trust, will address the key issues facing science communicators in the UK.
This year’s central focus is ‘Behaviour and Choice’ - exploring the role that we should or could play as influencers of behavioural change. There will also be speakers from the Science & Discovery Centre sector.
Science Communication Conference 2009 website
BIG Event 2009
22 - 24 July, 2009, Royal Institution of Great Britain, London
The BIG Event 2009 will be held at the world famous Royal Institution, the birthplace of science communication.
Registration for the event will open on 1 March 2009.www.big.uk.com/events
2009 is...
2009 is The International Year of Astronomy:
www.astronomy2009.co.uk
And 2009 is being celebrated as The Year of Science in North America:
www.yearofscience2009.org/about.php
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
Contact us with news or feedback>
Want to know more about The Association for Science and Discovery Centres?Find out about The Association for Science and Discovery Centres>
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres members include science and discovery centres, museums and companies providing services to the sector.Join The Association for Science and Discovery Centres>