AUGUST 2006
Contents
Einstein exhibition opportunity
On-line tool enhances students' visits
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK
Gift Aid, continued
Many thanks to those who completed the Gift Aid questionnaire (July eNews).
HMRC have written a letter dated 24th July 2006 advising charitable attractions to take care that they are operating correctly within the new rules, and specifying current shortcomings they have observed.
If you are operating a Gift Aid Admissions scheme, or are contemplating doing so, please read the letter.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Einstein exhibition opportunity
Move Over Einstein, the hugely successful travelling exhibition, developed by PPARC EPSRC and IOP will end its 18-month tour of the UK this September.
The UK Research Councils are keen to see the exhibition find a permanent home in a suitable public venue in the UK and are prepared to offer financial support to enable this to happen.
Developed by Science Museum Solutions and featuring seven interactive units, the exhibition is designed to appeal to young audiences and families and occupies approximately 150 square metres. It is currently on show at the National Space Centre in Leicester.
Preference will be given to the first venue that expresses an interest and can take the entire exhibition, though it is possible that its components will find homes in different venues.
Ownership and responsibility for future maintenance of exhibition will be vested with the venue that takes Move Over Einstein.
For further information please contact John Williams, Project Manager for the Move Over Einstein Exhibition, IoP, 0161 434 1727 museumsconsult@aol.com before 30 September 2006.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
On-line tool enhances students’ visits
Culture Online, part of the DCMS, has recently launched an interactive service, linking students and cultural venues with the use of technology.
Designed for pupils aged 8 to 14 and above, OOKL enables them to get the most out of a visit to cultural venues by exploring, ‘collecting’ and sharing their experiences using mobile phones and the Internet. Created by innovation agency, the SEA, it allows visitors to create an online gallery, complete with personal thoughts and stories of the visit. Students act as ‘virtual curators’ and are able and share the results with friends and family.
The service also works for family visitors enabling children to engage with objects using familiar technology.
We're looking for museums/science centres interested in trialling OOKL.
For details, check www.ookl.org.uk
and contact Dan Medicoff at dan.medicoff@the-sea.com
RESOURCE
Engaging Science book
A major new book on public engagement with science in now available from the Wellcome Trust.
‘Engaging Science: Thoughts, deeds, analysis and action’ features essays from leading researchers, practitioners and commentators. It examines what we have learned about the relationships between these groups over the past decade and what the implications are for future practice.
Topics include public attitudes to science, the role of the media in public engagement, the scientists' perspective, implications for education, linking the public to policy making and the role of campaigning groups.
Engaging Science also includes summaries of key Wellcome Trust-funded projects and initiatives supported over the past decade.
Copies are available free of charge.
To order your copy, visit: www.wellcome.ac.uk/publications
RESOURCE
Every Child Matters booklet
How can science centres and museums contribute to DfES’ Every Child Matters agenda?
‘Every Child Matters… to Museums’ booklet encourages schools and museums (and science centres, etc) to work in partnership and links museum learning to the new Ofsted school SEF (self-evaluation form). The publication is aimed at LEA Advisers, for them to use with head teachers and schools. The section entitled ‘What schools need and museums can contribute’ is most relevant to Ecsite-uk members.
An accompanying DVD contains further supportive evidence, from both museum professionals and a core group of LEA Advisers, as to how museums can contribute to the Every Child Matters agenda.
Produced by MLA South East in partnership with a group of LEA Advisers who champion museum learning in the South East.
For a hard copy of the booklet and DVD, please contact Glynis Dear at
glynis.dear@mlasoutheast.org.uk
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Explore the universe
Intech, Winchester, has just opened an interactive exhibit based on images from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and other observatories.
The exhibit is funded by PPARC, with further support from the University of Portsmouth whose spokesman said (on behalf of the team):
"It really is a great way to explore the wonder of the SDSS images and Intech attracts over 50,000 students a year. It was a fun collaboration between teachers, researchers and science centre staff. We plan to do more."
www.dsg.port.ac.uk/~nicholb/intech
DIARY DATES
Ecsite-uk AGM
7 September, Norwich
This Ecsite-uk Annual General Meeting is being held in Norwich this year, to coincide with the BA Festival of Science, taking place at the University of East Anglia in the same week.
The AGM gives members of Ecsite-uk the opportunity to vote for candidates standing for the Executive Committee, as well as the chance to visit Inspire science centre, to discuss current issues and network with other members.
Facilitation Skills Workshops
10 August; 19 September; 4 October, 11 October
The Facilitation Skills Workshop is designed to teach new skills and build confidence in those leading debate and discussion activities with young people. This participative three hour session examines facilitation styles, stimulating and managing discussions, and dealing with challenging behaviours. It has been developed in consultation with science centre educators, engagement specialists, and professional facilitators. This is a foundation level workshop.
Dates/locations:
10 August, The Oxford Trust
19 September, Glasgow Science Centre
4 October, Techniquest, Cardiff
11 October, the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Free to Ecsite-uk members. For further details, and to book a place,
contact seminars@ecsite-uk.net
Education/Programming Managers Meeting:
Digital Technologies
26-27 September, Glasgow Science Centre
This event is designed to provide a forum for managers to discuss issues relating to education and programming in the sector. Following requests from the inaugural meeting last year in Liverpool, the theme for day-two of this meeting is 'digital technologies'.
Although this meeting is free to Ecsite-uk members, in the first instance places are limited to one per institution. Applications from other institutions will be considered. NESTA will reimburse reasonable travel/accommodation costs for participants attending from outside Glasgow.
The deadline for bookings is 15 September.
For further information, and to book a place for your institution, please email seminars@ecsite-uk.net
Conference of Visitor Attractions
11 October, London
The Third National Conference of Visitor Attractions, will be held at the QE11 Centre on 11th October.
The main themes are: ‘Attracting Tomorrow's Customers’ and ‘Improving our Attractions’.
Before and after the main plenary sessions there will be four specialist Seminars, addressing the topics: The Cultural Olympiad, The Law and Attractions, Gift Aid reviewing how to succeed under the new rules, and a chance to compare performance with the latest Industry Data.
This is not a commercial conference, it is run by the industry, for the industry. It is a prime networking opportunity: around 400 delegates attended on each of the first two years.
More details of the event and arrangements for booking can be found here on the website: www.vac2006.co.uk
Futurelab conference
Spaces, Places and Future Learning:
Using innovative technology and practice to re-imagine learning spaces
1-2 November, London
Rich Mix, London (www.richmix.org.uk)
This two-day conference organised by Futurelab will provide an opportunity to challenge our preconceptions of the places in which we learn, both in and outside of school, and to re-imagine how they could be designed through the use of technology and innovative practice. With projects such as Building Schools for the Future (BSF) currently on the horizon, the conference will give delegates a timely opportunity to re-examine what we want our schools to be in the future and to ensure that any new set-up, in terms of both building and infrastructure, will fulfil learners’ needs now and in the future. It will also provide an opportunity to consider potential learning environments outside of school as well as to discuss learners of all ages.
Speakers include Lord David Puttnam, former film producer and BAFTA Academy Fellow for 2006; Bruce Jilk, Educational Consultant and CEFPI Planner of the Year for 2005; Edith Ackermann, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Jeffrey Revoy, Senior Director of Yahoo! Europe Search and Local; and Steve Moss, Partnerships for Schools (Building Schools of the Future).
For further information and to book your place please contact Futurelab on 0117 915 8200 or go to www.futurelab.org.uk/events/learning_spaces where you can book online.
GEM-SET Conference
23 November, Newcastle
Gender & Ethnic Minority Issues in Science, Engineering and Technology: This high profile conference aims to bring together ESRC Science in Society researchers, HE ESF National Programme members, other academics, practitioners, industrialists and policy makers to discuss, understand and identify the benefits, barriers and solutions related to greater participation of women and ethnic minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology, both in public and private sectors, as well as discussing wider and emerging themes.
One theme is specifically concerned with the role of Science Centres/Museums in promoting greater participation of girls and members of the ethnic minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
The conference is hosted by Life science centre.
More information is available at www.ncl.ac.uk/seru/conference2006.htm
Abstracts should be mailed to seru@ncl.ac.uk
before 31st of July
Science and Society: Closing the Gap
19-21 January 2007, Boston MA
A conference to explore the critical role of science and technology in today’s world and develop strategies for better informing and involving the general public.
Science + Society: Closing the Gap is an important addition to the international calendar of science-related conferences. It's one of the first to involve the public in a high-level conversation—with scientists, educators, media professionals, policymakers and others—about effective and practical ways to improve science communication and enhance science literacy. Rather than target a specific group or membership, Science + Society invites the widest range of stakeholders to the table, recognizing that success depends on cooperation and conversation not only across disciplines but also between the scientific community and the public it serves.
The conference is free, but space is limited.
Details and registration at:
www.scienceandsocietyconference.com
Ecsite-uk
Dr Melanie Quin, Executive Director
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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