News for the Science & Discovery Centre sector
JULY 2008
Welcome to our July newsletter
We are pleased to report that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has begun the commissioning process for their independent research into Science & Discovery Centres, as outlined in the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s Report. Further details of this research can be found below, and I will email the terms of reference to all CEOs in Ecsite-uk member institutions.
Evidencing what the UK Science & Discovery Centres do is an important next step in any future partnership with our Government. Ecsite-uk believes this research offers an excellent opportunity for our sector to showcase the excellent work we do, the vast diversity of funding streams we successfully secure, our value for money and how as the only national network of public venues dedicated to engaging and inspiring the public with science and nature, we can act as hubs for other STEM activities.
We would again like to thank MPs of the Select Committee led by the Chair Phil Willis for their continued support for our work.
Warm regards
Dr Penny Fidler, Director of Ecsite-uk
LATEST NEWS
Government begins Research Process
In June, DIUS began the first step of the commissioning process for research into the Impact and Effectiveness of Science & Discovery Centres.
The aim of the research is “To assess how effective Science & Discovery Centres are compared to other delivery agents at helping Government to meet both its STEM and public engagement with science goals”. To be clear, the research will be an assessment of the effectiveness and impact of centres at delivering against the Government’s Science and Society Goals.
The criteria used to assess effectiveness and impact have yet to be described and clearly this is an area of great interest to us given its fundamental effect on the outcome. We have of course discussed this issue with DIUS.
Ecsite-uk will circulate the terms of reference and the scope of work for the research to CEOs at each Ecsite-uk member centre. It should be made clear that whilst Ecsite-uk is in on-going dialogue with DIUS to represent the views of our member Science & Discovery Centres, this remains independent Government research. Ecsite-uk hopes the results will celebrate what our sector does and lead to a strong and fruitful future partnership with Government.
Updates will be sent fortnightly in the initial stages to CEOs, please call Penny Fidler if you do not receive these.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
Network of Science & Discovery Centre Representatives
To enhance communications and collaborations among UK Science & Discovery Centres, as well as to speed up information exchanges, we would like to create a Network of Representatives. There would be one Representative in each Ecsite-uk member organisation.
We envisage the Representatives would be fairly senior within each organisation, perhaps leaders of the future, who are passionate about the work of their own centre and of Science & Discovery Centres in general. They would network with Representatives in all the other UK centres, and would facilitate introductions of their colleagues through this network. They would also be the point of contact for communications from us and others, for example relating to funding, press or other opportunities, recognising what represents an opportunity for their organisation and routing information quickly to their most appropriate colleagues.
Where there is also benefit to their own organisation, we would hope these Representatives might act as ambassadors representing the sector at high-profile events.
If you would like to be considered as your Science & Discovery Centre Representative please discuss this with your Director or CEO, who will be asked to submit a single candidate by email to Dr Penny Fidler by July 31st.
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK
AGM in Liverpool
The conservation centre: Revealing the hidden stories of this Egyptian mummy
We would like to invite staff from all member institutions to our AGM in Liverpool on Thursday September 11th during the BA festival. We will review the year’s events, update you on the latest progress with Government, ask members to vote in the new committee and together explore ways we can work more effectively as a network.
Afterwards please join us for a buffet lunch where you will have the opportunity to meet directors and staff from other UK Science & Discovery Centres. This will be followed by behind the scene tours of the cutting-edge physics-based conservation work at this award-winning centre. Booking is essential via www.the-ba.net/the-ba/FestivalofScience from mid July.
Venue: The Conservation Centre, Liverpool Museums
| 10.30am | Coffee |
| 11am – 1pm | AGM |
| 1 - 2pm | Lunch and networking |
| 2 - 3pm | Behind the scenes tours with other Ecsite-uk members |
Seeking new Committee Members
The Ecsite-uk constitution stipulates that committee members must be re-elected every two years and may serve a maximum of six years.
Thus, after serving six great years, Professor Stuart Munro (OBE) steps down from the Committee. Also stepping down is Kelvin Boot who recently left the National Marine Aquarium to set up his own consultancy.
Having been in post for two years both Peter Trevitt (Treasurer) and Heather Mayfield are both standing for re-election.
To express your interest in standing for the Ecsite-uk committee, please contact Nick Winterbotham by email or on 0121 202 2201 by Friday 18 July.
Sharing best practice: Reaching Teenage Audiences
We are extremely grateful to The Potential Trust for funding another specialist meeting for members of the Ecsite-uk network. The purpose of this informal gathering is to enable members to share best practice, experiences and ideas, and to discuss issues relating to reaching and engaging with teenage audiences. What programmes have people developed to meet those audiences’ needs? What methods have been used to market them?
This meeting will take place from 30 September to 1 October at Hawkwood College in Stroud. Booking details and further information will follow in the next Ecsite-uk e-newsletter.
Royal Society Prizes for Science Books
The winners of the 2008 Royal Society Prizes for Science Books were announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on the evening of Monday 16 June.
The Junior Book Prize is judged from a shortlist, by panels of children and young people across the UK. For the past seven years Ecsite-uk has worked with the Royal Society to co-ordinate this process. This year almost 1200 young people from over 120 organisations, science centres, schools and youth groups from across the UK were involved. Children in Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Thailand and Malaysia also took part in the judging process.
The winner of the Junior Prize, ‘The Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do’ shows that young people really do love hands-on activities. Science & Discovery Centre shops might wish to consider stocking the winning and short-listed books for Christmas.
More at: royalsociety.org/news.asp?year=&id=7835
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR
Wizz-Bang Roadshow 2008
The 2008 WIZZ-BANG Roadshow will tour 18 large venues in the UK, bringing science and technology alive through the medium of a highly professional show underpinned by rigorous classroom support. This year’s topic is Power and Energy and the tour starts in Liverpool on 23 September and ends in Birmingham on 17 November 2008.
There will be three shows per city, with each show welcoming up to 2000 pupils and their teachers. This not-for-profit organisation is keen to work in partnership with local Science & Discovery Centres so if you’d like to collaborate (eg showcasing your programmes at their events) contact Neil Johnson, the Director, on 01749 676267.
Science Centre World Congress - Toronto Declaration
Leaders from Science Centres and Museums around the world met in Toronto, Canada from June 14-19 2008 for the 5th Science Centre World Congress. 400 delegates from 51 countries participated, continuing the dialogue from previous gatherings in Finland (1996), India (1999), Australia (2002) and Brazil (2005).
At the closing ceremony the Toronto Declaration was issued. This landmark event sets an inspirational agenda and positioning for science centres around the world.
We strongly suggest all Ecsite-uk members show their support by signing up to this Declaration.
www.5scwc.org/TheTorontoDeclaration/tabid/133/Default.aspx
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Scottish Climate Challenge Fund
A new £18.8 million fund to help communities take local action to tackle the global threat of climate change recently opened for business.
The Climate Challenge Fund, which will support community-led action to reduce emissions, was officially launched by Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead and Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie.
www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/03101154
Wellcome Trust Grants workshops
July and September, 2008
Join the Wellcome Trust team to find out more about their Engaging Science grants programme:
- Bristol on Wednesday 9 July 2008 at The Watershed
- York on Thursday 18 September 2008 (venue tbc)
Please email engagingscienceworkshops@wellcome.ac.uk if you would like to attend a workshop, stating which one you are interested in attending. Workshops are free of charge.
You will find further information on the Engaging Science grant schemes at www.wellcome.ac.uk/engagingscience
Fundraising from Trusts and Foundations
Museums Libraries and Archives London,
Museum of the Order of St. John, London: 16 July
For staff and volunteers in museums, libraries, and archives involved in fundraising or wishing to learn more about fundraising.
This course aims to provide delegates with an overview of trusts and foundations that are relevant to them, examine what trusts and foundations are looking for, develop strategies for fundraising from trusts and foundations, and how organisations can effectively apply for funding from them.
For further information go to www.mlalondon.org.uk, or download a booking form at: www.mlalondon.org.uk/uploads/documents/ MLAL_Booking_Form_2008.doc
RESOURCES
The Third Scottish Survey of Achievement
A new survey has highlighted the challenge Scotland faces to improve young people's knowledge and understanding of science.
The third Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA), which was conducted between April and June 2007, had a focus on science, science literacy and core skills. The survey gives a snapshot across primary and early secondary pupils:
www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/09101055
Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen become Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland will inherit the resources (including the staff) and general purposes of two existing public bodies, the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
This link below is to the Scottish Parliament, Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee Stage 1 Report on the Creative Scotland Bill
www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/ellc/reports-08/edr08-03-01.htm
Get a little EXTRA
EXTRA is the European online database for travelling science exhibitions
This brand new service offered by Ecsite allows you to search for a travelling science exhibition on a specific topic and to promote your own exhibitions. Sign up for free and see what’s on offer.
Science & Public Affairs
The latest edition of Science & Public Affairs is available to read online at www.the-ba.net/spa. The magazine recruits some of the leading figures inside and outside the scientific community to author articles and has a new focus highlighting public engagement in science. Contributors explain their research, report their experience, disclose their doubts and argue about the way forward. The result is a challenging and authoritative update on progress in the field.
VITAL STATISTICS
Each year, 290 million citizens actively participate in the exhibitions, programs, events and outreach initiatives organized by 2,400 Science & Discovery Centres worldwide.
This data was collected across the world in 2008 for the 5th world congress in Toronto by the following regional networks:
ASPAC – Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres
ASTC - Association of Science-Technology Centers
Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums
ECSITE – European Network of Science Centers and Museums
NSCMIN - National Council of Science Museums India
RedPop – Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean
SAASTEC – Southern Africa Association of Science and Technology Centres
DIARY DATES
The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2008
London: 30 June - 3 July
The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2008 will take place from Monday 30 June – Thursday 3 July 2008. It is open to everyone and free to attend.
The interactive exhibits cover topics from how electrical stimulation of the skin can reduce pain, to whether picture passwords are the solution to identity fraud, and you get to meet the scientists behind some of the UK's latest scientific advancements. Details of all the exhibits are online at www.summerscience.org.uk
National Archaeology Week
12 – 20 July, 2008
Discover and explore the archaeological heritage of the United Kingdom during National Archaeology Week. 'The aim of this annual event is to encourage everyone, and especially young people and their families, to visit sites of archaeological and historical interest or museums, heritage and resource centres, to see archaeology in action and to take part in activities on-site'. www.britarch.ac.uk/naw/
Visitor Studies Association Conference
Houston, Texas: 15 – 19 July
Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Visitor Studies Association Conference. Go to: www.visitorstudies.org/conference_about.htm for more information and the conference programme.
Euroscience Open Forum 2008 (ESOF2008)
Barcelona: 18 – 22 July
ESOF 2008 is made up of 83 scientific sessions from 10 scientific themes, 10 career sessions for young researchers and 70 outreach activities for the general public, allowing participants to have a unique overview of European Science and to benefit of numerous networking opportunities. This summer the event will welcome more than 450 speakers and session organisers from 30 countries and is expected to attract about 3000 participants among scientists, policy makers, industry, students, educators as well as journalists and the general public.
BIG Event
Techniquest@NEWI, Wrexham: 23 – 25 July
The Annual Event for the British Interactive Group
The BIG Event is relevant for staff at Science & Discovery Centres and Museums, as well as for all others involved in interactive communication, including artists, presenters, archaeologists, educators, students, front of house staff and evaluators.
To find out what delights await and to register, go to: www.big.uk.com/events
The BA Festival of Science 2008
Liverpool: 6 – 11 September
In September 2008, the Festival of Science will visit Liverpool, European Capital of Culture '08, hosted by the University of Liverpool.
Find out about current research in scientific issues which affect us all; bring along the whole family to take part in the Science Explosion at the World Museum; or join the 'Magical Memory Tour' where you can relive your youth through memories of The Beatles. And make sure you don't miss some of the best speakers from around the world. To find out more visit: www.the-ba.net/the-ba/FestivalofScience
Ecsite-uk AGM 2008
Liverpool: 11 September
We look forward to welcoming you to our Annual Meeting. Details above.
Ecsite-uk
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