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Contents
News from the Ecsite-uk Office: Brown signs
Developments in the sector 1: Stem Cell Exhibition available to
tour
Developments in the sector 2: Future Foods - A Dramatic Debate
Resources: Scott Keir offers this month's 'think bubble'
News from the Regions: at and beyond Techniquest, Cardiff
Diary Dates: 4-6 June 2003, Cheltenham Festival of Science
News from the Ecsite-uk Office: Brown signs
At last week's Tourist Attractions Forum meeting, the Department for Transport
commented their Proposed Revision of the Guidance for Tourist Signing', published
for consultation on 15 January
www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/tourist/local_roads (archived page - link removed)
I raised the vexed question of brown signs: zoos have an elephant, museums a Greek temple, the National Space Centre has a rocket, but there is no generic symbol for a Science Discovery Centre.
We are invited, as a sector, to propose a good, clear and recognisable symbol - and then to seek approval from DfT.
If you're interested and/or have design ideas, please let me know and let's
have a small-group brainstorm!
enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
Developments in the sector 1: Stem Cell Exhibition available to tour
An interactive exhibition for the general public - Embryos and Medicine in the 21st Century - focussing on the issues surrounding the debate on Embryonic Stem Cell, is available and is looking for Science and Discovery Centres to host it.
So far, it has been exhibited between January and March 2003 at the University of Barcelona where it was created by Rosina Malagrida (who works at the Barcelona Science Park, and formerly at the London Science Museum). Among the 2,700 visitors, 80% of those polled through one of its interactive features said they were in favour of doing research on embryonic stem cells.
At the moment the exhibition exists in Catalan and is being translated into Spanish. It can also be translated into English for a UK tour.
Specifications: It is elliptical, with maximum dimensions 17.5 x 9.5m The exhibition is interactive with videos, computer screens, and is made up of a modular space with each module dedicated to a specific question (see topics covered); it has a polling facility at the end to get feedback from visitors.
Topics covered:
1. The social debate surrounding the embryo (featuring a video from the EU)
2. What are stem cells and where do they come from?
3. New therapies for the 21st century
4. What do visitors think?
Costs: cost of translation to be covered by partner
Rental fee: negotiable.
For details check http://www.pcb.ub.es/expoembrions/eng/index_popup.htm [ archived page - link removed ]
Contact Rosina Malagrida, Head of Communication, Barcelona Science Park:
rmalagrida@pcb.ub.es T +34 93 403 4553
Developments in the sector 2: Future Foods - a dramatic debate
GM Foods - are you for it or against it? Future Foods: A Dramatic Debate is a theatrical performance and debate that explores the questions surrounding GM Food.
Actors and cleverly scripted scenarios take the audience on a journey, exploring the topic from different angles and allowing your thoughts and views on the scenes unfolding to direct the story and stimulating further debate.
These events coincide with the Government's current National Public Debate on GM Foods, but offer an alternative platform for discussion.
Future Foods: A Dramatic Debate is BIONET funded event - an EEC funded website developed by Ecsite partners that aims to encourage dialogue on the moral and ethical issues involved in the life sciences.
The debate will visit Birmingham, Bristol, London, Newcastle and Nottingham in April 2003 aimed at two separate audiences - teenagers and adults. For further details visit www.bionetonline.org [archived - link removed]
All events are free, unless otherwise stated. However booking is essential to avoid disappointment!
Tues 8 April: 1330-1430
THINKTANK, Millennium Point, Birmingham
Audience: 14-16 year olds & Post 16
Booking line: 0121 202 2244
Booking E mail: findout@thinktank.ac
Tickets: £2.50 per student (includes free entry to Science Centre)
Mon 14 April: 2000-2130
WAX BAR, 27 Broad Street, Nottingham
Audience: Adults
Booking line: 0115 959 0007 (for ticket and dinner reservations)
Booking E mail: wax-cafe-bar@barbox.net
NB: Those booking for dinner, please note that dinner will be a 7pm. Seats are
limited to 35, so book early!
Tues 15 April: 1800-1930
NEWCASTLE SCIENCE FESTIVAL, Darwin Room, Bio Science Centre, LIFE, Newcastle Upon
Tyne
Audience: Adults
Booking line: 0191 243 8292
Booking E mail: jeanette.ives@centre-for-life.co.uk
Wed 16 April: 1000-1100
AS ABOVE
Audience: 14-16 year olds
Booking details: as above
Wed 16 April: 1200-1330
AS ABOVE
Audience: Adults
Booking details: as above
Wed 30 April: 1100-1200
THE STUDIO IN EXPLORE, At-Bristol
Audience: 14-16 year olds
Booking details at: www.at-bristol.org.uk
Wed 30 April: 1330-1500
AS ABOVE
Audience: Post-16
Booking details: as above
Thurs 1 May: 1045-1200
SCIENCE MUSEUM, London
Audience: KS4
Education booking line: 020 7942 4777
Booking E mail: edbooking@nmsi.ac.uk
Thurs 1 May: 1245-1400
AS ABOVE
Audience: Post-16
Booking details: as above
Thurs 1 May: 1930-2100
AS ABOVE
Audience: Adults
Booking line: 020 7942 4906 (from 2 April 2003)
Booking details: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience
(from 4 April 2003)
Resources: Scott Keir offers this month's 'think bubble'
In 1996, Copus published 'So Did it Work?', guidelines on evaluating science communication events at http://www.copus.org.uk/pubs_guides.html
Since 1996, the range and diversity of science communication projects has evolved, and there has been a shift in focus from 'understanding' to 'engagement'. 'So Did it Work?' remains a practical starting point for people organising science communication events, but there is much experience and advice available from other sectors - e.g. arts or environment: with sensitive adaptation, many lessons are transferable. After all, isn't any well-formed project a well-formed project?
As Copus Grants officer, there are two evaluation guides that were developed with other sectors in mind, which I frequently recommend to applicants to the Copus Grant Schemes:
1) The Arts Council of England's 'Partnerships for Learning' guide to evaluating arts projects [archived - link removed] emphasises that questionnaires are not the only fruitful way of gathering evaluation data, especially for projects with certain target audiences.
2) Interact's Evaluating participatory, deliberative and co-operative ways of working' paper suggests a framework for evaluating participatory (dialogue) projects, using case studies from environmental consultations www.interactweb.org.uk/papers/discussion.htm
News from the Regions 1: at and beyond Techniquest, Cardiff
Do you have a Science degree? Have you considered a career in Science Communication?
If so than apply now for the one-year, full-time MSc in Communicating Science commencing September 2003. The course is run jointly by Techniquest in Cardiff, Wales, and the University of Glamorgan, situated a few miles outside Cardiff. Students are based at Techniquest, the interactive visitor attraction with an international reputation for innovation in the field of 'hands-on' science. The facilities of Techniquest are the students' living laboratory and the focus for wide-ranging practical experiences that form an essential part of the MSc course.
For further information visit [archived page - link removed] or contact Dr Sue Cavell, suec@techniquest.org T 029 2047 5475
News from the Regions 2: Techniquest @newi
Techniquest opens its first North Wales facility at Wrexham on 11 April.
It is located at the NE Wales Institute of Higher Education, and will be open every day. An exhibition has been created with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government, together with a regularly changing menu of educational and public programmes. The centre has core funding for 3 years from the Welsh Assembly Government. Techniquest @newi manager is Rachel Mason.
More information from http://www.techniquest-newi.org
Diary Dates: 4-6 June 2003, Cheltenham Festival of Science
After the phenomenal success of the first Festival, this year's programme once again offers an exciting and challenging experience of science. The 2003 theme is time and space in all its forms, from exploring the cosmos, to the science of ageing, from looking at our planet's past to its possible future.
Check www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk and click on <science>
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