STFC SMALL AWARDS SCHEME
PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS IN ROUND 01B (AUTUMN 2001)
Mr D Bowdley, Abraham Darby School, Hill Top, Madeley, Shropshire TF7 5HX.
Tel: 01952 432081 Email: david.bowdley@physics.org|
£3,000 MULTIPLE SCHOOL BASED - LUNAR, METEORITE AND SPACE SCIENCE PROJECT.
A project to enable a wide range of Shropshire schoolchildren, from primary to sixth form level, to study lunar samples, meteorites and space science, based around the STFC Lunar Samples Loan Scheme. Teachers will have the opportunity to design activities around the samples without the need to take on the responsibility of individually borrowing the samples from STFC, and will be informed of the increasing number of resources now available to them for the teaching of astronomy and space science. Both teachers and students alike will learn of the work performed in the fields of astronomy and planetary science, and of the recent advances in knowledge.
Ms V A Brightman, National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS.
Tel: 0116 258 2114 Email: vickyb@spacecentre.co.uk|
2,822 THE DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH OF 'SWIFT' - RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS.
A project to inform visitors to the National Space Centre (NSC) about the forthcoming 'Swift' mission to study the phenomenon of Gamma Ray Bursts, and the UK's involvement both in this mission specifically, and within space missions and research generally. There will be a permanent but updateable exhibition panel within the 'Space Now' section of the NSC, linked to the 'Space Now' section of the NSC website. This will enable the public to follow a mission through development and testing, and through to a successful launch. Further activities are also planned for the actual day of the launch. British involvement is through Leicester University, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, and Southampton University.
Dr S K Dunkin, Space Science and Technology Division, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX
Tel: 01235 446861 Email: s.k.dunkin@rl.ac.uk|
£7,100 PROVIDING MEDIA RESOURCES TO PUBLICISE UK PLANETARY SCIENCE.
An Award to enable the UK Planetary Forum to raise the public profile of British planetary scientists and their activities via media leverage. A web-based resource and an annual media briefing will provide easy access for journalists and broadcasters to information about UK involvement in this area, and to ensure that UK planetary scientists are readily available as contacts to the media. The aim is to make the UK media more aware of the attractiveness of planetary science to the UK public.
Professor A Evans, School of Chemistry & Physics, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, University of Keele, Keele ST5 5BG.
Tel: 01782 583342 Email: ae@astro.keele.ac.uk|
£5,726 TAKING THE SUN TO A LARGER AUDIENCE.
An Award targeting 11-16 year olds, their teachers, and the general public. This will be achieved by taking a portable telescope to schools to display the Sun, by underlining the broader relevance of astronomy by demonstrating how the study of an object like the Sun impacts on many other aspects of young students' studies, and by extending Keele's public viewing periods at the University Observatory, by opening at weekends for solar viewing.
Dr G Farmelo, Science Communications Division, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London. SW7 2DD.
Tel: 020 7942 4800 E-mail: g.farmelo@nmsi.ac.uk|
£5,000 DIALOGUE EVENT CONCERNING ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE.
The underlying philosophy of science communication in the UK is changing from the traditional top-down model (in which scientists talk to the public) to a model in which the public can engage in an even-handed dialogue with scientists. This Award will fund two pilot events, these being 'Is There Anybody Out There?' on the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI); and 'Why Believe the Big Bang Theory?' The audience will be invited, assisted by a moderator, to quiz a group of scientists, with the aim of learning how the public can best benefit from such dialogue events.
Mr R J Fielder, Kelham Museum, Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8RY.
Tel: 0114 201 0613 Email: simt@argonet.co.uk|
£9,340 STAR MATTERS - ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AROUND 'BUILDING THE UNIVERSE'.
An Award to develop activities and teaching resources to enhance STFC's 'Building the Universe' touring exhibition, both during its visit to Kelham Island Museum and thereafter. They will be made freely available to other sites visited. Children aged 7 to 13 will be specifically targeted, although the resources are also expected to assist other children, teachers, and particularly family groups. The resources will also be offered to schools, with sessions, if required, on a self-financing basis.
Dr M B Hindmarsh, Dept of Physics & Astronomy, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH.
Tel: 01273 678934 Email: m.b.hindmarsh@sussex.ac.uk|
£1,400 'A' LEVEL PHYSICS AND THE SUSSEX EDM CENTRE.
The Sussex Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) Centre will open during National Science Week in March 2002. This project will run a competition for 'A' level students participating in the 'USE-Physics' Lab experiments, concentrating on atom trapping technology. The competition winners will participate in a special experiment to inaugurate the lab, and will receive their awards at the official opening. The aim is to generate interest amongst 6th formers in the science behind the Centre.
Ms G M Leaper, Crossways Infant School, Knapp Road, Thornbury BS35 2HQ.
Tel: 01454 867280 Email: glbr30469@blueyonder.co.uk|
£500 SCIENCE YEAR AT CROSSWAYS INFANT SCHOOL.
An Award to finance the visit of the 'Explorer Dome' from the @Bristol Science Centre to Crossways Infant School. The visit is part of a Science Year plan of activities above and beyond the children's science curriculum, addressing the themes of 'Ourselves'; 'Materials'; 'Light/Dark'; 'Senses'; 'Food for a Healthy Life'; 'Changing Materials'; 'Animals'; and 'Plants'.
Professor A G Lyne, Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories, Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield SK11 9DL.
Tel: 01477 572640 Email: agl@jb.man.ac.uk|
£5,000 PUBLICISING THE REBIRTH OF THE LOVELL TELESCOPE.
A contribution to a project to produce a video and brochure promoting the £2.1M upgrade of the Lovell Telescope (LT) at Jodrell Bank Observatory (JBO). The video will feature a brief history of the telescope, the upgrade, and a look to the future. The finished video will be played continuously in the Jodrell Bank Science Centre, will be made available to schools, will be used at graduate and undergraduate fairs, and will provide a source of archival material for visiting TV and film crews visiting the JBO.
Dr D McMullan, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA.
Tel: 01752 232720 Email: dmcmullan@plymouth.ac.uk|
£3,600 EXPOSING THE ELECTRON.
A project building on the success of the 2001 National Science Week exhibition organised by the University of Plymouth's Particle Physics Theory Group at the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. This larger event will be centred on the theme of 'the electron' and will utilise appropriate elements from the PPEP collection, together with new display materials, with a scientist continually present to guide visitors and to answer their questions. These materials will also be used to support Masterclasses across the South West and public lectures, such as the programme of lunchtime lectures held at the City Museum. Assistance will also be provided with the costs of transporting school parties from the more rural areas of the South West.
Dr J Mason, Cambridge AWiSE, 12 Hills Avenue, Cambridge CB1 7XA.
Tel: 01223 247827 E-mail:jm148@cam.ac.uk|
£500 WOMEN AND SCIENCE DAY, 16/3/2002, IN CAMBRIDGE NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK .
Cambridge AWiSE is due to run its seventh 'Women and Science Day' during National Science Week 2002, in the Examination Room in the Arts School. This Award will support the running costs of the event, including the visit of a mobile planetarium.
Ms B Parker, Simon Langton Girls School, Old Dover Road, Canterbury CT1 3EW.
Tel: 01227 831425 Email: bparker@particle.demon.co.uk|
£5,000 NEW 'AS' LEVEL IN THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE.
Support for the development of STFC-related modules of a proposed new 'AS' level course in 'The History and Philosophy of Science'. This is intended to provide an attractive and accessible qualification to complement mainstream science courses for sixth formers and adult learners, which will hopefully attract students who otherwise would not have considered the wider ideas, excitement and workings of science. The course will focus on the human face of science, and will hopefully prove attractive to many students otherwise opting for humanities courses, as well as increasing scientific literacy.
Mrs J Poutney, Childrens' Music Workshop, 35 Brookfield Mansions, Highgate West Hill, London N6 6AT.
Tel: 020 8342 8900 Email: jpcmw@aol.com|
£5,000 LIVING ON ANOTHER PLANET - 'ALL SUMMER IN A DAY'.
'All Summer in a Day' is a short opera composed by Alec Roth for performance by children. Based on a Ray Bradbury story, it considers the impact of environment on a class of young children growing up as colonists on Venus. This project plans to bring together children from several schools to give a fully staged performance of the opera in the Great Hall at Imperial College (ICSTM). Input will be from a collaboration of the Childrens' Music Workshop and other artists and musicians, with three scientists from ICSTM who will provide science background briefings and notes for teachers. ICSTM students will also visit schools in a dual role as musicians/ scientists and engineers. Schoolchildren will also make presentations on the science they have learned at the performance, and a website will be maintained throughout by ICSTM.
Mrs D Renney, Cheltenham Science Festival, Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA.
Tel: 01242 775874 Email: drenney@countryside-inter.net|
£3,000 DIALOGUE EVENT AT CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL ON 'LIFE IN SPACE'.
A contribution to a dialogue event to be held at the first Cheltenham Festival of Science, being organised by Cheltenham Arts Festivals. The event will be entitled 'Is There Intelligent Life in Space, and Should We Spend Money Trying to Find Out?' The dialogue will be between the audience and a Panel of experts known to have differing views on the subject. This pilot study should help event organisers and STFC to develop effective methods for dialogue
Mr D J Smith, Armthorpe School, Mere Lane, Armthorpe, Doncaster DN3 2DA
Tel: 01302 831582 Email:n/a
£600 MEASURING THE HALF-LIFE OF MUON PARTICLES IN COSMIC RAYS.
A contribution to a project by a group of 'A' level students to measure muon half-life using 'cosmic ray telescopes' at different heights. The students devised the project by using the internet to interrogate a network of contacts to generate ideas. The students, from a Doncaster pit village with no culture of scientific understanding, will be encouraged to present their results to a variety of audiences, including fellow students, families, and the local community.
Mr D R Smith, Physics & Astronomy Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH. Tel: 0116 2523519 Email: drs@star.le.ac.uk|
£1,000 EDUCATIONAL SATELLITES CARD GAME.
An Award to fund a pilot study to develop a card game entitled 'Voyager: Satellites', aimed at providing secondary school children and the general public with information about the large number of Earth-orbiting satellites in an entertaining way. Astronomical, Space Science and Earth Observation satellites will be featured, whether past, current or future. A successful pilot study could lead to the development of further games, including possibly 'Voyager: Interplanetary Probes'.
Dr D I Steel, Joule Physics Laboratory, University of Salford, University Crescent, Salford M5 4WT.
Tel:0161 295 3981 Email: d.i.steel@salford.ac.uk|
£2,000 ROCKET SCIENCE FOR THE MASSES.
An Award principally to fund Dr Steel's weekly 'Ask A Rocket Scientist' column published in the Manchester Evening News on Saturdays. This is used to distribute information largely about astronomy and space science, particularly British activity in these fields, to a large audience. The Awards will also assist in the funding of Dr Steel's public talks and visits to schools to give presentations and demonstrations.
Mr R Taylor, The City Technology College, PO Box 1017, Cooks Lane, Kingshurst, Birmingham B37 6NZ.
Tel: 0121 770 8923 E-mail: rod.taylor@kingshurst.ac.uk|
£2,000 OUT OF THIS WORLD.
A contribution to a joint venture between The City Technology College and The Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University, to develop the personal capabilities of children from eight primary schools through cross-curricular project work. Each participating school will receive funding for textbooks on the subject of space, to be used during the schools' literacy hours in order to extend the usual science curricular content. The work of the pupils will then be demonstrated at a 'Celebration day' when pupils from all eight schools and the City Technology College, together with families, will come together using the remaining funding from the project. The College and schools will disseminate project results to other schools.
Mr M Woolcock, CPR Success Zone, Camborne Community College, Trevu Road, Camborne.
Tel: 07866 129090 Email: woolcock@camborne-comm-coll.cornwall.sch|
£7,450 MARTIAN MINING OPERATIONS AT THE CAMBORNE 'EDUCATION THROUGH SPACE CENTRE'.
A project to equip the College's new educational facility with a range of robotic equipment, to create a 'Martian Mining Base' that schools can use as a highly themed setting for hands-on science and technology lessons. A fixed 'Martian landscape' will be created within a state-of-the-art 'Classroom of the Future' being built at Camborne Community College, and the project will be expanded to work with Camborne School of Mines' Holman Test Mine facility. Students will be introduced to the principles of planetary exploration, space science, robotics, engineering, and astronomy, using for example, the Faulkes and Liverpool Telescopes.
