Archive

Art and Science Project

Background
Newcastle is fast becoming an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the development of research and entrepreneurship in the field of sustainability and green energy, as well as being recognised as the most sustainable city in the UK.

Newcastle Science City is leading the way in supporting the development of business and innovation in this field, and through the Community Science Team at Centre West, is working to bring the city’s world class scientific and technological achievements into the lives of the people who live here.

Newcastle Science City has joined with Newcastle City Council’s Arts Development Team to create a collaborative project on the theme of ‘sustainability’.

The project will pair up two artists with two scientists who will then work with two community groups from Newcastle to create artworks and to educate about sustainability.

It aims to bring this vital area of scientific research to life for the people and communities of Newcastle by enabling them to access and engage with it in a practical, exciting and hands on manner.

Timetable
The project will start in the Autumn of 2011 and conclude by 31 March 2012

Proposals
We are looking for a science partner who would be interested in collaborating with an artist to work with a community group on an experimental and innovative project that inspires, educates and raises the profile of creativity and sustainability.

Proposals should include:
· Your CV
· Information about your science background / speciality / interest
· Why you are interested in the project
· Your experience of working with hard to reach communities

Please note: Successful applications will be subject to an enhanced CRB check and reference check before appointment

Budget
The overall budget for this project is £10 000 and we anticipate that it will be split equally between the science and art aspects of the project (£5 000 per area). The budget will cover all staff costs, materials, events, promotional materials etc.

Deadline for proposals: 30 September 2011
Interviews will be held on 12 October 2011

Please send proposals to:

Rhianne Dixon
Centre West
Community Science Team
28 Hawthorn Terrace
Newcastle
NE4 6RJ
rhianne.dixon@centre-west.com

Source: NESA group

Compare schools’ performance online

The Department for Education has launched a new web tool helping parents find and compare local schools’ performance. The ‘compare schools’ tool brings together a wide range of performance data in a single place.

Parents can find schools by name, keyword or location or browse via an interactive map. Each school has its own mini-site with a range of useful information such as spend per pupil and test and exam results. Parents can also compare their school with others nearby – or with any other school in England.

For more information, visit http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/search
Source: SchoolsNorthEast Newsletter 13/09/2011

Kick-Start Fund offers £200 for schools

British Science Association offers £200 for schools who are interested in organising an event in Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) in March 2012. Applications are open for schools in “challenging circumstances”.

In 2011, our Kick- Start Fund helped 500 schools run events and activities that reached over 85,000 people. Teachers reported that it:

•invigorated staff, pupils and parents
•raised the profile of science and technology at school
•engaged pupils with subjects across the curriculum
•stimulated disengaged pupils with science.

How to apply?
All you need is a basic idea for your own NSEW events and activities and the enthusiasm to get it off the ground. However, we can only fund 500 schools and this is a very popular scheme so you will need to ensure your ideas are sound.

Project ideas
Please check the website below.

Deadline
All applications must be submitted through the online form by 5pm on 28 October 2011.

Interested?
Visit British Science Association website for full details and supporting materials: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/NSEW/NSEWFunding/smallgrants.htm

Source: Science e-lert, September 2011

Training for science communicators

Title: Developing Demonstrations & Using Props Science Communication Training

This workshop is specifically aimed at those with more than 20 hours of experience of science communication over the past 5 years, but is open to anyone with an interest in developing their science communication skills. Please feel free to pass this information on as you see fit. Places are limited to a maximum of 20 to ensure that all participants are actively involved throughout the workshop. If you would like to participate in this training please book a place by completing the form available at: http://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=2171
This training session will be lead by Wendy Sadler & Gareth Smith from science made simple Ltd.

Date: Monday 26th September 2011
Time: 9.30pm – 4.30pm (Registration from 9.15am).
Venue: Room OC218, Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, Durham University Science Site, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Source: NESA group

Lab in a Lorry looking for volunteers

Lab in a Lorry is looking for STEM Ambassadors who woud like to help with activities in Scotland!

 “Lab in a Lorry is an interactive mobile laboratory which gives young people (11-14 year olds) the opportunity to explore science through open-ended experiments. Volunteers guide the students through the experiments (oil and viscous liquids, sound and resonance, light scattering and colours, climate change and energy sources, optoelectronics) and makes sure everyone gets to be involved through hands on experience.”

If you are interested please contact STEM Outreach or visit Lab in a Lorry website: www.labinalorry.org.uk for more details.