|
|
Contents are
News from the Ecsite-uk Office: Advocacy for the sector
Developments in the sector: Planet Science Outreach Programme -
call for proposals
Resources: 'UK Goes to the Planets' programmes c/o PPARC
News from the regions: 'Life of Mammals' exhibition on tour
Diary dates: 5-6 March 2003, 'Digital Childhoods - the Future
of Learning for the Under-10s'
News from the Ecsite-uk Office: Advocacy for the sector
One of Ecsite-uk's purposes is to raise the profile of Science and Discovery Centres, by representing the opportunities the sector represents and the funding challenges it faces to civil servants, politicians and opinion formers.
Many thanks to all those who supplied data in the October survey. This informed the SDCs' Report submitted to OST/DCMS/DfES for Ministers' consideration this month. The data set has also been copied to all those who contributed, to support their own local/regional fundraising strategies.
The Report was distilled into a 2-page briefing document and sent 4 January to all science, education, and culture-related MPs, peers, and heads of research councils. If you would like more information, please email enquiries@ecsite-uk.net
Developments in the sector: Planet Science Outreach Programme - call for proposals
Planet
Science (formerly Science Year) is inviting applications from organisations to
deliver its outreach programme.
There will be a meeting in London on 6 February for organisations interested in applying. For full information, email outreach@planet-science.com
Resources: PPARC (the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council) offers this month's 'Think bubble'
Science Centre colleagues may like to know of a peak of activity, with strong UK involvement, in space missions to the planets between 2003 and 2005. PPARC are leading a campaign under the title 'UK Goes to the Planets', together with a consortium of planetary scientists, the BNSC, industry, communicators, the European Space Agency and the National Space Centre at Leicester.
The stories/events we can help you with cover not only the science and exploration, but also the engineering and UK innovative technology behind some of the instruments and the spacecraft platforms carrying them. The overall science story is of exploring our Solar System to understand the origin of the planets and of life. The missions include Rosetta, SMART-1, Mars Express, Galileo, Genesis, Stardust, Cassini/Huygens and Venus Express.
There is a (still-simple) introductory WEBSITE, with links and maps of UK sites of involvement, at http://www.uk2planets.org.uk
Our CO-ORDINATOR Anita Heward has compiled information on these missions, including UK scientific contacts, UK instruments, UK industrial involvement in the spacecraft and the instruments, the science programmes, innovative engineering, etc. She can let science centres, exhibition managers, writers, etc have information needed, and can advise on free publications and artwork available from PPARC.
Contact Ms Anita Heward, Accentuate Events, Braemar House, Braemar Close, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1SA on 01483 420904 or email anitaheward@btinternet.com
News from the regions: 'Life of Mammals' exhibition on tour
BBC Learning is taking The Life of Mammals on the road with a touring exhibition
visiting Science and Discovery Centres between January and March 2003. The 100m2
exhibition gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the series was made - with talks
from the programme-makers, previously unseen footage, and opportunities to sample
online and interactive content. It also offers a range of hands-on exhibits and
activities, inviting families to examine mammal behaviour and to see how as humans
we belong to the world of mammals. Launched on 8 January at the Natural History
Museum, London, the exhibition visits:
| 16 - 19 January | At-Bristol |
| 23 - 26 January | Glasgow Science Centre |
| 30 Jan - 2 February | W5, Belfast |
| 14 - 19 February | Thinktank, Birmingham |
| 21 - 24 February | Techniquest, Cardiff |
| 26 Feb - 2 March | Centre for Life, Newcastle |
| 7 - 16 March | Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester |
BBC Educational Publishing has produced The Life of Mammals Teacher's Activity Pack for teachers to use in class with their pupils. This pack marks the first time that content from a major BBC natural history series has been especially adapted for use in schools. It provides ideas and photocopiable worksheets including five full colour A2-size posters and 32 full-colour photocards of different mammals. Cost £14.99.
If your science discovery centre is planning mammals-related events this Spring, please make a display copy of the The Life of Mammals Teacher's Activity Pack available to teachers!
Packs and videos/DVDs of the television series can be ordered by calling 0870
830 8000.
For further information, please contact Helen Rognaldsen in the BBC Worldwide
press office on 020 8433 2257 or email helen.rognaldsen@bbc.co.uk
Diary dates: 5-6 March 2003, Robinson College, Cambridge
'Digital Childhoods - the Future of Learning for the Under-10s'
We have only just begun to realise the potential of digital media to motivate young learners. With interactive technology now playing a central role in children's lives, there is a growing need to create learning environments that are relevant to the new 'digital generation'.
Bringing together creative, technical and educational experts, Digital Childhoods - NESTA Futurelab's 3rd Conference - explores how children's interaction with technology can provide useful insights when developing learning resources for those aged 0 to 10.
Centred around five main themes - Play and Learning, Children as Co-designers, Home-School Links, Early Years and Tangible Interfaces - Digital Childhoods gives you new insights into how the combined talents of the media, education and technology communities can shape a rich new learning landscape for children in their first decade.
The conference is sponsored by LEGO and Cambridge University Press, and TES are media partners for the event.
|