PPARC Science Centre Awards winners for Spring 2005A

PPARC's Science Centre Awards Scheme funds projects at UK Science Centres with emphasis on promoting PPARC science to 11-16 year olds.

Successful applicants in Round 05A (Spring 2005)

Mr MS Di Maggio, Thinktank Trust, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG,
Tel: 0121 202 2283
Email: Mario.di.maggio@thinktank.ac

PARTICLE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
Award £21,500

A contribution towards the creation and delivery of an extensive new schools programme for Key Stages 3 & 4 specialising in Particle Physics and Astronomy. The project aims to excite and engage 11-16 year olds in these subjects and hopes to inspire young people to consider science careers. The proposed Schools Programme and Resources will include a menu of innovative and interactive activities for pupils studying the Earth and Beyond National Curriculum topic. These activities will provide teachers with a series of options which include events at Thinktank, outreach visits or webcasting.

Mr J Stewart, W5 WhoWhatWhereWhenWhy W5, W5 at Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast. BT3 9QQ
Tel: 028 90467801
Email: jamesstewart@w5online.co.uk

SPACE DETECTIVES CHALLENGE DAYS AT W5

Award £21,325

A contribution towards developing a Space Detectives Challenge, which will be delivered over 14 times to young people aged 11-16 at school and in youth groups such as Girl Guides and Scouts who are making subject choices for GCSE. The Space Detectives Challenge will demonstrate to young people the nature and relevance of experimentation, scientific recording, analysis and deduction used in space exploration and how this relates to the science that they are doing in school particularly maths, physics and earth science.

Dr ST Townsend, At Bristol Science Centre, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB
Tel: 0117 915 7170

EARTH AND BEYOND

Award: £16,000

A contribution towards a project that aims to develop and deliver a programme of space science activity days for 11-16 years olds in regional schools and varied community groups. The programme will use a combination of exciting informal learning environments and specialist equipment to increase knowledge, understanding and appreciation of astronomy and space science among the target audiences. It will include a combination of masterclass presentations of topics in astronomy and cosmology and hands-on experience using optical and radio telescopes.