Large awards scheme 2006 winners

Successful applicants in Round 2006

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Professor Brian Foster
University of Oxford, Department of Physics Denys Wilkinson Building Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH
Tel: + 44 (0)1865 273323

“Music of the Spheres: Einstein, music, particle physics & LHC”

Award - £86,564
This scheme builds on the success of the current Superstrings lectures which have been delivered throughout the UK.

A further lecture will be devised which will allow a direct linkup with the results from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) as they emerge and the build-up of the case for the construction of the International Linear Collider in 2010.

The lecture will present a picture of Einstein the man with an exposition of his science, using the things most important to him personally- music and the violin .Einstein believed many of the most basic questions which are still being asked in particle physics and cosmology to be very important. It is intended to demonstrate how the LHC might solve these fundamental questions.

The project will:

• Engage as large an audience as possible, with a target of 7,500 per year for three years, with particle physics and cosmology via a series of lectures in large venues such as concert halls and theatres in the main population centres
• To highlight and publicise the results of the LHC as they emerge and to justify the resources spent on building and exploiting the LHC
• To make the case for the construction of the ILC and more generally for large facilities for particle physics and astronomy
• To win a new audience not otherwise attracted to science lectures by means of live music played by one of the UK’s leading and most charismatic young violinists
• To develop TV and radio productions based on the ideas derived from the lecture concept and to interest production companies in realising them

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Mrs. J. Fox
Observatory House, 8 St. Radigunds Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2AA
Tel: + 44 (0)1227 459485

The kids in space disadvantaged schools tour

Award £43,056.00
This project delivers throughout the country quality space science education and enthuses young children in regions of the UK that suffer from financial and social deprivation.

150 of the most disadvantaged primary schools in the country will benefit from the tour and will have an opportunity to experience the “Kids in Space” science show. The tour will last three years; visiting 50 schools in a different region each year.

The “Kids in Space” show was created by Space fund to deliver good science to young children in a fun and memorable format. The show is neither a lesson nor a lecture but rather a dramatic performance with comedy, excitement, and colourful props. It is centred around education, but the approach is learning through fun. The information presented is as up to date as possible, and the show is constantly refined to keep up with the exciting pace of change within space science and to take advantage of new discoveries.

The “Kids in Space Disadvantaged Schools Tour hopes to make a tangible difference to science education in areas of the country where help is most needed; areas in which there are bright children filled with potential, yet financial and social conditions contribute to low educational achievement. The tour is ultimately designed to create an improved understanding, appreciation and awareness of space science in these disadvantaged regions, and in so doing to enrich the lives and education of a significant number of youngsters who would otherwise be without.

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Dr.T.J. O’Brien
The University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9DL
Tel: + 44 (0)1477 5711321

The hot spot: Innovative public engagement forum at Jodrell Bank

Award £99,962.11

This scheme will provide an exciting, events driven summer programme at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. The venue is a major cultural asset of Manchester University and has a significant point of contact with the wider community.

During the summer months a Marquee will be erected and thus provide accommodation for exhibitions festivals using literature, music, and the visual arts to widen the appeal for core scientific ideas.

The objectives for this three year project are:

• To develop a seasonal events programme at Jodrell bank which will use innovative approaches to engage with a wide audience of teachers, schoolchildren and the general public; raising their awareness of the work of scientists not only at Jodrell bank, but across the PPARC programme as a whole
• To provide real experience of science in action, inspiring school pupils, and encouraging them to pursue their studies of science and technology to a higher level
• To use publicity surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Lovell Telescope in 2007 and the “Dawn of the Space Age” to showcase a range of astronomy and space science, in increasing visitor numbers over the summer season by at least 15%
• To develop long-term partnerships with educators in schools, Local Authorities and the University, with representatives from industry interested in supporting inspirational science communication programmes, and with mass media
• To begin the process of forward planning, including audience building and programme development, for the proposed new Science Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank

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Dr. S.J. Barber
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute The Open University Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
Tel: + 44 (0)1908 659517

Space signpost: improving access to this successful public astronomy initiative

Award £21,740.76
A scheme to develop and build on the public astronomy initiative permanently located in Bristol. Space Signpost, is a completely new way to engage the public with astronomy and space science. A kiosk developed by Sci-Five and Futurelab, was installed in Bristol in January 2006. The general public had direct unmediated access to the universe around them and it is simple and easy to use. The project will distribute copies of the Space Signpost software and will test 1:1 scale design prototypes on the target audiences. The ultimate aim is to develop a miniature version that is available to every classroom and home in the UK.

The project will ensure that Space Signpost can develop into an asset for the astronomy and space science community. It will also ensure that the software developed by Futurelab and SCi-Five can be used freely and easily by teachers and science communicators. The smaller cheaper and mobile Signpost will:

• Enable many more people to experience a direct connection with space
• Help users’ understanding of space to grow and develop over time
• Add-value to teachers’ and science communicators’ present educational and outreach activities by creating direct connection between their audience and the objects they discuss
• Support the transition to personalised learning methods in science.(Personalised learning involves learners in shaping their own education and engaging with subjects on their own terms)
• Facilitate further innovation in the communication of astronomy and space science