Report on Round 2007A of the Small Awards and Science Centres Scheme

Report on behalf of the Chair of the Small Awards Judging Group

The STFC Science in Society Small Awards and Science Centres Scheme Judging Group met on 6^th June 2007 to assess the applications submitted to the 2007A round. In total 30 small award and 2 science centre applications were received.

Each proposal was initially marked, prior to the Judges’ Meeting, by four judges and was then ranked according to its average score. Funds were then allocated following more detailed discussions by the judges, each application being introduced by its principal assessor. Of the applications received two science centres (totalling £33,162) and 12 small awards (totalling £111,032) were given.

Seven of the successful projects were addressing particle physics, three of which concentrated on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN and the remainder were astronomy and space science projects. On this occasion there were no applications specifically for nuclear physics based activities.

As in previous rounds the demand and quality were high and there were significantly more good quality applications than could be funded. The proposals received showed a high degree of diversity and the panel were pleased with the high proportion of particle physics themed proposals compared to previous rounds. It is thought that the impending launch of the LHC may have presented the community with more opportunities and inspiration for particle physics themed activities.

The judges noted the geographical distribution of previous awards, the spread of organisations applying and the distribution across the sciences within STFC’s remit. For future rounds the panel would like to encourage applications from schools, applications involving nuclear physics and applications for involving discussion and debate about STFC science areas.

Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to consider revising their applications and submitting again in future rounds of the award scheme. Feedback on individual applications can be obtained by telephoning Gareth James at the Science in Society Unit at STFC on 01793 442175.

The judges were:

• Prof Malcolm Coe (Chair) - University of Southampton
• Dr Tim Greenshaw - Liverpool University
• Ms Helen Reynolds - Gosford Hill School, Kidlington
• Ms Becky Parker - Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Canterbury
• Ms Anita Heward - UK Goes to the Planets
• Dr Ros Mist - ECSITE UK
• Dr Marek Kukula - University of Edinburgh
• Dr Valerie Jamieson - New Scientist

In Attendance:

• Mr Gareth James - STFC
• Mr Chris Woolford - STFC