October 2005
Contents
Brussels office needs new executive
Gulbenkian Prize entries invited
Newcastle Director is new Chair of Ecsite-uk
NEWS FROM THE ECSITE-UK OFFICE
AGM elects new Committee
The Ecsite-uk AGM, hosted by the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, elected a new Chair and five new Committee members, then engaged in animated discussion to inform the future direction and strategies of our network.
The minutes of the AGM are on this website: AGM minutes 2005
Please give them your attention and send us your thoughts - have your say by email to enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
NEWS FROM ECSITE'S BRUSSELS OFFICE
Ecsite (Europe) seeks a new executive
Walter Staveloz, charismatic director of Ecsite for ten years, is leaving the Brussels office to set up an international division at the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). He relocates to Washington DC, commencing in his new role on 1 January.
The position of Executive Director is advertised in a pop-up window at www.ecsite.net, and at www.sciencecentres.org.uk/jobs
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Science writing competition!
Do you or your visitors have a passion for brains? Want to share share the excitement, intrigue and possibilities of brain science with a wider audience?
Well here's the opportunity.
At-Bristol's amazing brain website, the European Dana Alliance for the Brain and The British Neuroscience Association have joined forces to create a new national prize to celebrate the amazing field of brain science.
Together we will be offering people the opportunity to write a newspaper style science article of around 650 words on the subject of brain science. The winners will have their articles published and receive a cash prize.
The competition has two categories:
- The General Prize which is open to everyone from school students to professors, to write an engaging article on any area of brain science.
- The Researcher's Prize which is open to everyone engaged in brain science at any level, to write an article conveying the excitement, intrigue and possibilities of their research.
The closing date is October 31, 2005.
All details of the competition can be found at [archived - link removed]
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Gulbenkian Prize entries invited
Entries are invited for museum and gallery projects undertaken in 2004, with emphasis on imaginative building or display design, creative use of technology, unusual approaches to to curation or work with new audiences.
Closing date is 1 November.
Last year's £100,000 prize went to the Big Pit: National Mining Museum of Wales in Blaenafon.
For details, visit: [archived - link removed]
RESOURCE
Gift Aid guidance
From 6th April 2006, new legislation will enable a broader range of charities to claim Gift Aid on donations which attract a right of free admission to a charity property.
New detailed guidance notes have been prepared in advance of the new legislation taking effect in order to assist charities in forward planning for the application of the new legislation.
The new guidance incorporates statutory cross references, VAT guidance and a series of Frequently Asked Questions covering common scenarios which should help to clarify issues of concern for most charities.
This guidance will be incorporated into the body of the Chapter 3 Gift Aid guidance as of April 2006.
Already, the Detailed Guidance Notes are available as a link from Chapter 3.48. See, and click on the link at www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/chapter3-insert.htm
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Newcastle Director is new Ecsite-uk chair
Newly-elected chair of Ecsite-uk is Linda Conlon, Director of Life Science Centre in Newcastle.
Currently also a board member of Ecsite (Europe), Linda has been a committee member of Ecsite-uk since its foundation in 2001. She succeeds John Durant (former CEO of At-Bristol), and her term of office runs to September 2007.
The Centre for Life is an independent, not-for-profit, educational institution situated on a 10-acre site in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. Through its core elements of education, research and commercial application, the Centre aims to share and interpret new discoveries in the life sciences. Opened in May 2000, Life Science Centre is - quite simply - the exhibition-based visitor attraction at the heart of this 'science village', bringing together science and biotechnology, research and education, entertainment and ethics.
DIARY DATES
Research Showcase
5-6 October, Birmingham
Did you know that researchers at Birmingham are making developments in the treatment of tuberculosis, Alzheimer's, Huntington and nvCJD? Did you know that nanotechnology is developing decontamination processes of Britain's streams and soils? Do you want to know how your business could benefit from working with world-class researchers? Did you know that Birmingham archaeologists are using technology to visually recreate the past? Do you want to know more?
The University of Birmingham is holding a 2 day interactive event 5-6 October, showcasing some of our best research and is open to all.
For further information please visit www.events.bham.ac.uk or call 0121 414 2950
Specialist Meeting on 'Working with science clubs and non-school youth organisations'
19-20 October, Stroud
There is a growing interest in talking about the (best) ways of running a science club and, more generally, working with non-school youth organisations. The purpose of the specialist meeting is to share ideas and experiences - success stories and lessons learnt, and to network face-to-face. Priority will be given in the first instance to Ecsite-uk members, but applications from other organisations are also welcome.
The specialist meeting is supported by the Potential Trust - there is no registration fee BUT places are limited to one per venue.
For further information contact Dr Louise Webb (Ecsite-uk Project Manager) at louise@scizmic.net
ReDiscover conference
28 October, London
ReDiscover is a £33 million venture between the Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and the Wolfson Foundation. This science centre and museum renewal fund has supported the development and production of a wide range of interactive and innovative exhibitions.
A one-day conference is being held to mark the end of ReDiscover and will bring together the science centre and museum community and the ReDiscover grant holders to showcase some of these initiatives, stimulate new thinking and share learning of the projects.
If you would like to attend, please send an email to conferences@wellcome.ac.uk (insert "ReDiscover" into the subject line) for a registration form and conference programme.
NESTA science education conference:
Science, Society and Sims: the future of science education
2-3 November, Coventry University Technology Park
So, how should science be taught? How can we best learn scientific principles and attain the skills to apply them to the world around us? Who is best placed to help us all to develop these skills? What role should technology play and what innovations are on the horizon to revolutionise the way we learn about science?
This conference addresses these questions, exploring possible options and investigating the implications of policies that could flow from them. Through a mixture of keynotes and case studies from inspirational speakers including leading light futurologist Peter Cochrane, delegates examine the challenges for science education in the future and discover how new technologies could assist in overcoming those challenges. With a scheduled debate and two active workshops, this conference acknowledges 'the audience as experts', providing the opportunity to have 'your say' and to take the lead in setting the agenda.
Aimed at:
- Scientific community and science centres
- Technology, software and creative industries
- Teachers, educational specialists and academics
- Education policy makers and opinion formers
For more information or to book your place, go to www.nestafuturelab.org/events or contact NESTA Futurelab on 0117 915 8200 or e-mail events@nestafuturelab.org.
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-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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