JULY 2007
Contents
Seeking new Chair and Committee Members
Learning Outside the Classroom
Flooding hits science centres and museums
New UK Visitor Studies Group website
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 1
Seeking new Chair and Committee Members
Linda Conlon (right) ends her term as Chair of Ecsite-uk this year. Nominations must be made two months in advance of the AGM in York (see diary dates below), in accordance with Ecsite-uk’s constitution. If you wish to nominate a colleague for this position please contact Linda linda@life.org.uk by Friday 13 July.
In addition, at the AGM we will have up to seven committee vacancies to fill, five for election and up to two more by co-option.
To express your interest in standing for the committee, please contact Linda Conlon linda@life.org.uk by Friday 27 July.
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 2
Select Committee inquiry
The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into science centre funding will be holding a hearing on 11 July. Linda Conlon, the Chair of Ecsite-uk has been called to give oral evidence.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
Learning Outside the Classroom
Following the launch of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto in November 2006, a series of eight stakeholder groups are being set up. The Heritage Group is holding a conference on Monday 9 July in London. In this context, heritage includes botanical gardens, aquaria, zoos and science centres. The Manifesto covers 0-19 year olds learning during formal and informal visits to a huge variety of spaces.
Has your organisation signed up to the LOtC Manifesto? Visit
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/ resourcematerials/outsideclassroom/
to read the Manifesto and to see who is signed up.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
Government changes
Within the changes being introduced by the new Prime Minister, there are some that are likely to impact on the science centre and museum sector. There are three new departments: Children, Schools and Families, Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). The DfES and the DTI will be disbanded.
The DIUS takes responsibility for making Britain ‘one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation’. There will be an Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor within the department. New members of the cabinet include: Ed Balls (Children, Schools and Families), John Denham (Innovation, Universities and Skills), John Hutton (Industry) and James Purnell (Culture).
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
Flooding hits science centres and museums
Following the recent heavy rains across England, several science centres and museums, including Magna and Kelham Island Museum, have suffered damage.
Magna report that after the River Don burst its banks, the car park took a big hit. Although the basement has been flooded, most of the exhibition areas seem to be largely unaffected.
www.visitmagna.co.uk
At Kelham Island, things are looking worse. They were under four to five foot of water, mud and oil. The museum is currently closed but hopes to re-open for some educational visits in September.
Photos: Kelham exterior | Kelham interior
RESOURCE 1
Kids in Museums
The recent Great Museum Debate organised by Kids in Museums and the National Museums Liverpool is now available online as a podcast and a transcript.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/podcasts
The Kids in Museums Manifesto has also been published and is a simple, colourful tool to encourage a family-friendly day out, wonderfully illustrated by Quentin Blake. www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk
RESOURCE 2
Science & Public Affairs
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) has a quarterly publication: Science and Public Affairs.
This publication aims to promote awareness of the impact of science, technology and medicine.
It is available free online www.the-ba.net/spa
RESOURCE 3
New UK Visitor Studies Group website
The UK Visitor Studies Group has launched a new website at: www.visitors.org.uk
The new site gives access to the latest VSG news and events. There are resources including: articles, reports, case studies, practical tools, a consultants database, links and recommended reading, and a new members forum.
DIARY DATES
BIG Event 2007
25-27 July 2007 at Magna Science Adventure Centre
The BIG Event is relevant not only for people running science centres and museums, but for artists, presenters, archaeologists, educators, students, front of house staff, evaluators and anyone involved in interactive communication whatever their field.
Keep up to date with all the Event details at www.big.uk.com/events,
or join the mailing list by sending an email to event@big.uk.com
Ecsite-uk AGM
13 September 2007, University of York
The Ecsite-uk Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place on Thursday 13 September at the University of York campus, during the BA Festival of Science.
More details can be found on the AGM page.
The AGM is open to all members of Ecsite-uk.
BA Festival of Science
10-14 September 2007, University of York
The BA Festival of Science returns to the site of its first annual meeting. The first meeting took place in York in 1831.
This year, the Festival has over 400 events planned, covering topics from rocket science to roller coasters.
www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience
Engaging Black and Minority Ethnic adult learners in museum and gallery education
20 September 2007, Merseyside Maritime Museum
Part of the national commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade, this conference focuses ion including non-traditional learning in education programmes delivered from museums, libraries and archives.
A complementing theme explores black history and how this can be used to encourage non-traditional learners to participate in, for example, museum education programmes.
The conference is a partnership event between NIACE and National Museums Liverpool. www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/whats-on-offer.htm
Museums Association Conference and Exhibition
22-24 October 2007, Glasgow
Glasgow is the host for this year’s Museums Association conference.
Keynote speakers include John Falk and Lynn Dierking, Will Hutton and Muriel Gray.
www.museumsassociation.org/conference
Ecsite-uk
Dr Louise Webb
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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