April 2006
Contents
Science festivals in Edinburgh and Cheltenham
DIARY DATES: Ecsite Annual Conference 2006; Science Communication Conference; BIG Annual event
NEWS FROM ECSITE
AC2006 in Mechelen
Hotels are booking up fast, thanks to a juicy-looking programme and the prospect of an Annual Conference that’s only a Eurostar-ride away!
For details see the dedicated conference website:
www.technopolis.be/ecsite2006.
for all the most up-to-date information.
The direct email address for conference details is ecsite@technopolis.be
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
TiLEZone in London
TiLEZone was held at the DTI Conference Centre in London’s Victoria, on Tuesday 14th March – a full day’s programme of challenging subjects discussed and lively question and answer sessions throughout the day. Typical delegates came from The Tussauds Group, Shakespeare’s Globe, Wicksteed Park, BT Travel & Leisure and The Natural History Museum.
TiLEZone complements the main TiLE event, this year in Maastricht, 20-22 June.
TiLE can offer Ecsite members a 20% reduction in delegate fee if you book before 1st June 2006, and a 10% reduction if you book after 1st June 2006 – this is in support of TiLE being in an Ecsite-Conference Promotion Co-operative.
For further information see www.andrich.com/tile
And contact Paul Grinall, paul@andrich.com
RESOURCE
1001 inventions
The ‘1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World’ exhibition is on show at the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester till 4 June. This month’s ‘resource’ is the gorgeous, glossy, coffee-table tome that accompanies the exhibition: the 1001 Inventions Book.
Packed with excerpts and illustrations recreated for the first time from ancient manuscripts, it showcases the Muslim-inspired inventions and innovations that affect our lives in spheres domestic and universal.
It’s a limited edition. Go place your order at:
[archived page -link removed]
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Science festivals
The Edinburgh International Science Festival opens this week. The Cheltenham Science Festival clashes with the Ecsite Annual Conference – ouch!
In Edinburgh "The impossible starts April 5th...
Really. How about the latest on new powers to control human behaviour? Or why 70% of Americans believe in angels? Throw in the secret life of sperm whales and you'll begin to see what we mean!"
For details: www.sciencefestival.co.uk
In Cheltenham, they’re celebrating the festival’s 5th birthday: "Can you talk to your dog? Is time travel possible? Was the Apollo landing a hoax? Indulge your curiosity and let us take you on a journey through parallel universes, what makes us human and why we believe in luck with some of the leading scientists, authors, chefs, journalists and explorers of today."
For details: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/whats_on/science_festival.html
DIARY DATES
Ecsite Annual Conference 2006
8-10 June 2006, Mechelen
The Ecsite Annual Conference 2006 is in Mechelen (just outside Brussels), hosted by Technopolis, the Flemish science centre.
The themes for 2006 are:
- Trends and challenges in cutting edge research and technological development
- Science centres: children only?
- What are they really learning?
Ecsite Conference 2006 first announcement (PDF file)
For details, contact conference@ecsite.net and watch the website for announcements www.ecsite.net
Science Communication Conference
13-14 July 2006, London
The 2006 Science Communication Conference will take place at the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, London.
Plans are to split the conference into three strands looking at:
- Science Education - linking formal and informal learning
- Science Communication - science and the media, science PR and science events
- Science in Society - public engagement, policy through dialogue, SIS strategy
There will be a mixture of plenary, group and workshop sessions as well as lunchtime discussions and working lunches covering more practical skills. As in previous years there will be a drinks reception and conference dinner.
Draft versions of the programme will be circulated via the psci-com e-mailing list for comment, if you would like to make suggestions of sessions, projects or speakers please contact nick.hillier@the-ba.net.
BIG annual event
26-28 July, Manchester
Hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the BIG Event offers a great opportunity for people working with interactivity to meet, discuss and show off their latest work.
Join exhibit developers, performers, science centre and museum staff from across the world in the Event’s unique mix of thought-provoking conference sessions, entertaining live science shows and off the wall events, including the famous Best Demo competition.
The full conference package costs just £260 for two-and-a-half days of sessions, conference dinner, lunches and access to the marketplace. Single day and concession rates are also available.
To book your place contact Savita Custead at savita@scizmic.net or 02920 252706
For more information check www.big.uk.com/events
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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