MAY 2008
Contents
WELCOME: Welcome to our May newsletter
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK: Ecsite-uk reports, Parliamentary debate on science centres: May 15th 2008, Ecsite-uk pre-conference session at the Ecsite Annual Conference
NEWS FROM ECSITE EUROPE: Ecsite newsletter: call for listings
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR: Museums & Galleries Month 2008 Debates, CREST Star Investigators, Royal Society Prizes for Science Books, Planet SciCast Awards, The 2008 National Brain Science Writing Prize
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS: INTECH Planetarium, All Formats Chartermark awarded to Thinktank
RESOURCES: Science policy and communication information, CORDIS, UK Museums Flickr group
WELCOME
Welcome to our May newsletter
We are delighted to announce the publication of three new reports by Ecsite-uk on the UK’s Science & Discovery Centres as part of a larger DIUS and DCSF-funded project.
The main report ‘Inspiration, Engagement and Learning’ includes the results of the 2007 survey of Ecsite-uk Science & Discovery Centres with recommendations and next steps for future benchmarking of our sector. It also contains a selection of case studies written by CEOs and Directors from centres across the UK sharing ideas and best practice that contribute to financial sustainability.
The second report focuses on ‘The Impact of Science Centres: A Review of Studies Worldwide’ and the third report focuses on five pilot consortia projects involving 14 science centres across the UK. All these reports are detailed below, please circulate to colleagues.
Finally, as we approach the Annual Ecsite Conference we warmly invite all our members who will be in Budapest to join our special pre-conference informal session in the beautiful Agricultural Museum on May 28th; details below.
Warm regards
Dr Penny Fidler, Director of Ecsite-uk
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 1
Inspiration, Engagement and Learning: The Value of Science & Discovery Centres in the UK
Value of Science & Discovery Centres page
This colourful report gives key findings from the 2007 Ecsite-uk survey, including that annually 19.5 million people visit the UK’s Science & Discovery Centres (including museums) and 56% of those visitors are female. The report reveals the impressive percentage of earned income achieved by larger science centres.
The report recommends a number of steps the UK’s Science & Discovery Centres could take together to benchmark the quality of the experience offered. To facilitate this Ecsite-uk has also set up an on-line tool which will be piloted and refined by centres in the first half of 2008 and aims to collect more consistent data across the sector for the future.
The final part of this report shares examples of best practice relating to financial sustainability through articles written by 13 CEOs and directors of UK Science & Discovery Centres.
The Impact of Science & Discovery Centres: A review of studies worldwide
Impact of Science & Discovery Centres page
This review summarises and highlights recent research into the impact of science and technology museums, zoos, aquaria and science centres, referred to collectively as Science & Discovery Centres. Comparable evidence from the informal learning sector as a whole including the arts, heritage and cultural sectors has also been included, where relevant.
Collectively, studies from around the world are presented and show that centres can:
- increase visitors’ knowledge and understanding of science;
- provide memorable learning experiences which can have a lasting impact on attitudes and behaviour;
- have wide-ranging personal and social impacts and promote inter-generational learning;
- promote trust and understanding between the public and the scientific community;
- have an economic impact.
And finally … The Consortia Project Reports
DIUS and DCSF also funded five excellent consortia project in 14 UK science centres which reached 26,678 students in 347 schools from Lands' End to Northumberland and across to North Wales. The reports and lessons learned from the projects can be found here
Consortia Project Reports page
All the above projects and reports were supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Children Schools and Families
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 2
Parliamentary debate on science centres: May 15th 2008
There will be a three hour debate on science centres following up from the Science and Technology Committee report in Westminster Hall (Houses of Parliament) on 15 May 2008. I will send further details when they become available to CEOs. Please bring this date to the attention of your own CEOs and senior staff.
The Public are welcome to attend, or watch the debate live www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Live.aspx
NEWS FROM ECSITE-UK 3
Ecsite-uk pre-conference session at the Ecsite Annual Conference
Reminder to all members attending the 2008 Ecsite Annual Conference.
The Chair of Ecsite-uk would like to invite you and your colleagues to an Ecsite-uk pre-conference session on Wednesday 28 May in Budapest from 4.30 - 6pm.
This pre-conference session is for all members of Ecsite-uk who would like to meet other members and to have a stake in the UK's national policy and regional activity. Following a short presentation by the Ecsite-uk Chairman, Dr Nick Winterbotham and the Director, Dr Penny Fidler, focusing on our recent discussions with Government, we will be answering your questions and hearing your ideas on how Ecsite-uk can best support you and your centre.
All are welcome, and there will be time to meet one another and be introduced to new members of Ecsite-uk. The session will be held immediately prior to the Speakers’ Reception which begins at 6.30pm, and will be at a location close by.
NEWS FROM ECSITE EUROPE
Ecsite newsletter: call for listings
The spring issue of the Ecsite Newsletter should be with you shortly. For the next issue, Ecsite would like to hear about the highlight of your institution’s summer programme. What is the project or event that will define your institution’s activities over the summer months?
If you have a summer project, new exhibition or event to publicise, please send a short outline for the listings section of the newsletter. Please note that listings should be:
- Specific projects/exhibitions/events which are taking place between June and August 2008
- Organised, co-organised or hosted by an Ecsite member
Please use the following format:
Title
two lines of description
70 words extra detail
contact email
website
a digital photo (as a separate attachment)
The deadline for copy is 9 May 2008. Please note that listings are limited to one per institution, due to space constraints.
Ecsite would also like to hear if you have a course, competition or conference (on any theme relevant to Ecsite members) to advertise on the back page of the Newsletter. These must be open to most Ecsite members to participate (i.e. on a European or international, rather than national level).
Please contact Michael Creek, Projects Coordinator for further details: mcreek@ecsite.net
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 1
Museums & Galleries Month 2008 Debates
Museums and Galleries Month is the UK-wide celebration of museums and galleries which takes place in May. A series of debates and discussions will be held throughout the month, taking inspiration from the Museums and Galleries Month 2008 theme: Ideas and Innovation.
Debates include: Can design save your life? at the Wellcome Collection, which will explore design innovation in medicine; Do Museums Matter? at Urbis, organised by Renaissance North West, exploring what museums do, embody and contribute that makes them matter today; and Beat the Panel: Save the Planet at the Science Museum’s Dana Centre, looking at innovations to reduce carbon emissions.
More information about Museums and Galleries Month, and the debates taking place is available at: www.mgm.org.uk
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 2
CREST Star Investigators
The BA launched a new primary award scheme, CREST Star Investigators in September 2007 to engage 5 to 12 year olds in science. To expand the reach of CREST Star Investigators and provide club organisers with more choices for activities, the BA are rolling out the accreditation framework to all science centres and museums to accredit their workshops. This means that children who attend a science centre/museum workshop can receive a star towards achieving their award.
The accreditation framework was piloted with support from At-Bristol, Glasgow Science Centre, Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester (MoSI) and Thinktank, who currently offer activities that are now accredited by the BA as CREST Star Investigators activities.
Anyone who would like the BA to accredit existing activities as part of CREST Star Investigators should contact ling.chew@the-ba.net for more information.
More information about CREST Star Investigators can be found at www.the-ba.net/creststar
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 3
Royal Society Prizes for Science Books
The six books shortlisted for this year's Royal Society Junior Prize for Science Books, the world's most prestigious award for science writing, were announced on 10 April. The winning book will then be selected entirely by young people, with groups of children from over 100 schools and youth groups forming a judging panel to choose the winner.
The six books shortlisted by the judges are:
- ‘Ask Dr K Fisher about Animals’ by Claire Llewellyn, illustrated by Kate Sheppard (Kingfisher)
- ’Big book of science things to make and do’ by Rebecca Gilpin and Leonie Pratt (Usborne)
- ‘How the incredible human body works by the Brainwaves’ by Richard Walker and illustrated by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar (Dorling Kindersley)
- ‘It's Elementary! Putting the crackle into chemistry’ by Robert Winston (Dorling Kindersley)
- ‘Serious Survival: How to Poo in the Arctic and other essential tips’ by Marshall Corwin (HarperCollins)
- ‘Why is Snot Green? Science Museum Question and Answer Book’, by Glenn Murphy (Macmillan)
For the seventh year running, the Royal Society Prizes for Science Books are collaborating with Ecsite-uk, the UK network of science centres and museums, to run the judging process.
For a full copy of the press release visit: royalsociety.org/news.asp?id=7589
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 4
Planet SciCast Awards
The winners of the first Planet SciCast Awards were announced at the end of April.
Prizes were awarded to adults and young people who had submitted short science film clips to the Planet SciCast website, and included titles such as: ‘Around the Universe in 2.5 Minutes’, ‘Grow Your Own Body Parts’, and the ‘Physics of Roundabouts’.
Planet SciCast are already taking entries for SciCast 2008/9.
For the full list of winning films clips go to: www.planet-scicast.org.uk/ archives/2008/04/ awards-2008-winners.html
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR 5
The 2008 National Brain Science Writing Prize
Do you have a passion for brains? Could you write a newspaper-style article celebrating the amazing world of brain science?
At-Bristol, The European Dana Alliance for the Brain and The British Neuroscience Association have joined forces with BBC Focus magazine to find the best brain communicators in the country.
Visit At-Bristol’s award-winning ‘Your amazing brain’ website for details
www.youramazingbrain.org/writingprize.htm
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 1
INTECH Planetarium
The INTECH Science Centre now boasts a new addition: the UK's largest capacity planetarium. Using the latest digital technology, six projectors display pre-recorded films or live content on the huge 17m domed screen. The installation was funded by SEEDA and carried out by Global Immersion within the existing dome-roofed auditorium.
Currently screening two pre-recorded shows and the INTECH/Global Immersion production “Neighbourhood Earth” (a presenter-led show), it is also possible to fly in real time through a model of the observed universe – an amazing experience for pilot and audience alike! The seating can also be sat upright for corporate events and traditional science shows.
The planetarium opened on Good Friday and received impressive press coverage, including GMTV, ITN, BBC, the Guardian and local news media. Since opening, it has been selling out with audiences of up to 1,000 a day. This has been a huge boost to INTECH as a whole, with total visitor numbers sky-rocketing.
www.intech-uk.com/folders/planetarium
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 2
All Formats Chartermark awarded to Thinktank
Congratulations to Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, who were recently awarded the ‘All Formats Chartermark’ for increasing their access for visitors with visual impairment. www.qac.ac.uk/news/news-item.asp?id=9
After a process of consultation with both students and staff from Queen Alexandra College, and with support from the Conurbation Small Grant Scheme 2006-7, Thinktank now have the following in place:
- Braille, Large Print and Audio guide introduction to Thinktank services and general visitor information linked to city-wide schemes including the wayfinding listening posts
- Staff trained in guiding visitors with visual impairment
- On gallery handling objects to create greater access to exhibitions
- Presenter-led planetarium show is accompanied by a Braille and tactile images of the stars
- Magnifying glasses available for visitors to gain greater access to the on gallery text.
Working in partnership with Queen Alexandra College to develop what Thinktank do has been key to gaining this award. It has also increased visitor numbers and has led to some great press coverage, including BBC Radio 4 In Touch programme. www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/intouch_20080408.shtml
RESOURCES 1
Science policy and communication information
An on-line ‘Science policy and communication information - a directory’ has been launched at: www.scienceandsociety.info.
The directory covers a number of areas including science policy, media, education and communication.
The site is still developing and feedback and additional information is welcomed.
RESOURCES 2
CORDIS
CORDIS, the Community Research & Development Information Service, a service of the Publications Office of the European Union, offers access to research and development funding programmes of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
CORDIS keeps you up-to-date with the latest news, progress and initiatives in European research and development activities and funding opportunities for SMEs.
Find out more about CORDIS at: cordis.europa.eu
RESOURCES 3
UK Museums Flickr group
A new Flickr group has been set up called UK Museums.
This is intended to show good examples of museum displays throughout the country so that other museum professionals can see what others are doing when they are thinking about new displays of their own.
You can find it at: www.flickr.com/groups/ukmuseums
VITAL STATISTICS
The 2008 Ecsite-uk Survey showed that:
19.5 million people visit a UK Science & Discovery Centre annually
56% of visitors to UK Science & Discovery Centres are female
DIARY DATES
Better media coverage from science festivals
The University of Manchester: 15 May 2008
Organised by Stempra, The University of Manchester and the BA, this event offers advice on how to make the most of the media opportunities that science festivals provide, and introduces you to some of those who can help boost your coverage at this year’s BA Festival of Science in Liverpool. With talks from Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS, Becky Morelle of BBC News and Lisa Hendry of the BA press office as well as plenty of opportunity for discussion and networking.
As part of Stempra’s new programme of regional events this will be free to both Stempra members and newcomers. To register please email: events@stempra.org.uk
Adult Learners’ Week 2008
17 – 23 May 2008
Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) is the UK’s largest celebration of learning. A new ALW website will be launched shortly, but further details about the campaign can currently be found at: www.niace.org.uk/alw/2008
Science Communication Conference
London: 19 – 20 May 2008
The 2008 Science Communication Conference will take place on 19 and 20 May at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Savoy Place, London.
Further details including conference strands, the draft programme and an on-line booking form will be available in early 2008.
To sign up for an e-lert please visit the conference web pages at:
www.the-ba.net/ScienceCommunicationConference
Ecsite Annual Conference 2008
Budapest, Hungary: 29 - 31 May 2008
The central focus of the conference will be to investigate the commitment of science centres and museums for a sustainable society. Discussions will include our role, our actions, and our impact in the coming decades.
For forthcoming announcements visit the Ecsite conference website: www.ecsite-conference.net,
or contact the Ecsite Executive Office at: info@ecsite.net.
Cheltenham Science Festival
4 – 8 June 2008
The Cheltenham Science Festival is a five-day celebration of science, engineering and the arts. This year’s Guest Director is Nick Ross, and Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Robert Winston, Colin Blakemore, John Beddington, David King and Martin Rees are among the big names in science who will be taking part in the Festival. They will be joined by other well-known people including A C Grayling, Time Team’s Tony Robinson, and Richard Hammond from Top Gear.
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/whats_on/science_festival.html
Bristol Festival of Nature
Bristol Harbourside: 7 – 8 June 2008
Bristol's Festival of Nature is the UK's biggest celebration of the natural world. This year there will be a special launch event on the eve of the Festival. A Celebration of Wildlife Film and Music takes place at St Georges Bristol, with live music played to archived and recent BBC Natural History Films.
For further information on how to book tickets and a festival programme visit: www.festivalofnature.org
World Ocean Day
8 June 2008
This year’s theme is: "helping our climate - helping our ocean", with a special focus on coral reefs to take advantage of International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008.
For further information go to: www.theoceanproject.org/wod
CASC 2008: Canadian Association of Science Centres 6th Annual Conference
London, Ontario: 12 – 14 June 2008
Canada's community of science centres invites you to their most important annual event. The CASC 2008 Conference will be hosted by the London Regional Children's Museum in London, Ontario - just a short two hour train ride from Toronto.
The 2008 conference theme is ‘Learn to Play! Play to Learn!’, taking a light-hearted approach to the serious issue of creating a truly innovative society in Canada. You are invited to share experiences and learn techniques about engaging audiences through play, to have your own fun exploring emerging issues and opportunities, and to celebrate all that is exciting, inspiring and successful about science centres in Canada and around the world today.
For a programme and registration information visit www.casc2008accs.ca
5th Science Centre World Congress
Ontario Science Centre, Toronto: 15 – 20 June 2008
Registration for the 5th Science Centre World Congress is now open.
Visit www.5scwc.org to find out more.
Science and the Public Conference
Manchester: 21 – 22 June 2008
The third annual conference on Science and the Public will take place on 21 and 22 June 2008, hosted by the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM) at the University of Manchester.
For further information about the conference please visit:
www.chstm.manchester.ac.uk/ newsandevents/conferences/ scienceandthepublic
Wellcome Trust Grants workshops
July, September 2008
Engaging Science is a grants programme - upcoming free grants workshops:
- Bristol on Thursday 9 July 2008 at 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.
You will find further information on the Engaging Science grant schemes at:
www.wellcome.ac.uk/engagingscience
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 2008
Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Visitor Studies Association Conference. The theme for the 2008 conference is ‘Theory, Practice, & Conversations’. Presentations and conversations will focus on creating bridges to understanding among researchers, evaluators, and those who apply research and evaluation within organisations.
Early bird registration deadline is 15 May. Go to: www.visitorstudies.org/conference_about.htm for more information about the pre-conference workshops, conference programme, and registration.
BIG Event
Techniquest@NEWI, Wrexham: 23 – 25 July 2008
The first draft of the BIG Event 2008 programme is now live (updated programmes will be available regularly until the event in July). For further information and a registration form go to: www.big.uk.com/events/
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.
The BA Festival of Science 2008
Liverpool: 6 – 11 September 2008
In September 2008, the Festival of Science will visit Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, 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/
European In-Service Training Course for Teachers and Museum Educators
Fourth edition, Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany: 7 – 14 December 2008
The European in-service training course school and science museum: cooperation to improve teaching, learning and discovery is aimed at primary school teachers and at museum educators. The objective of the course is the development of knowledge and competences in science education, using museums as educational resources.
The course participation fee is 600 Euros (cancellation fee 100 Euros).
Citizens of the countries participating in the Socrates programme (now called Lifelong Learning 2007-2013) can take part in the course and apply for funding of the expenses through Comenius or Grundtvig grants. People interested in participating can find information about the application procedures via the websites of the Socrates National Agency of their own country. To find out the website of the Socrates National Agency in your country, please visit ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/national_en.html. The application deadline is the 30 June 2008, for both programmes and in all countries.
For information about the course, please contact:
Ms Traudel Weber at the Deutsches Museum: G.Weber@deutsches-museum.de
Dr Maria Xanthoudaki at the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci: xanthoudaki@museoscienza.it
Ecsite-uk
Dr Louise Webb
Ecsite-uk: the Network of Science Centres and Museums
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