STFC Small Awards Scheme
Public Understanding of Science and Technology
Successful Applicants in Round 00B (Autumn 2000)
Prof. PIP Kalmus, Physics Dept., Queen Mary & Westfield College, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Tel: 020 7882 5042 Email: P.I.P.Kalmus@qmw.ac.uk|
£2,000 PARTICLE PHYSICS LECTURES
This Award is for Professor Kalmus to continue and upgrade his successful talks on particle physics to a range of audiences by the purchase of appropriate computing and demonstration equipment .The talks, usually given to schools, teachers and general audiences, include the topics 'Particles & the Universe' and 'Antimatter'.
Dr MJ Lavelle, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA
Tel: 01752 232729 Email: mlavelle@plymouth.ac.uk|
£1,200 MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS AND SELF-LEARNING PACKAGES
An Award to fund the non-equipment costs of producing and giving professional-quality presentations on particle physics and related science to a range of audiences throughout Devon and Cornwall. These talks will be given to schools, colleges and adult education centres.
Mr A Walker, Physics and Astronomy Dept., Edinburgh University, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ
Tel: 0131 650 5237 Email: a.walker@ed.ac.uk|
£900 PPEP EXHIBITION AT EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL
A contribution towards the cost of enabling the Particle Physics Exhibit Project to appear at the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April 2001.
Mr BJ Keenan, 49 Pilgrims Way West, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5JQ
Tel: 01959 524808 Email: Not Available
£4,000 SCALE MODEL OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
A project to create a scale model of the solar system, with planets in their correct relative positions as at midnight, Millennium Day, within the parish of Otford. A short guide will be produced, and the model will be supported by an exhibition in the Village Heritage Centre.
Dr M Rahman, Physics and Astronomy Dept., University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QW
Tel: 0141 330 6349 Email: mrahman@physics.gla.ac.uk|
£7,500 BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SPIN OFF FROM THE LHC
A scheme to construct an inter-active display to exhibit to the general public one of the potential impacts of LHC development on healthcare and quality of life. Any member of the public will be able, under supervision, to compare the X-ray images from a commercial CCD system, used in dentistry, and the photon counting pixel detector, probably by imaging a tooth.
Dr MM Grady, Mineralogy, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
Tel: 0207 942 5709 Email: mmg@nhm.ac.uk|
£5,000 THE VIRTUAL METEORITE EXHIBITION
A project to produce a meteorite exhibition on the Web, displaying highlights of the Natural History Museum's national collection to an extended audience, and producing both supplementary information on related fields of interest and educational material for teachers.
Dr PJ Sellin, Dept. of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH
Tel: 01483 876814 Email: p.sellin@surrey.ac.uk|
£500 LIFT OFF ROCKET GUIDE FOR ASE CONFERENCE
The 'Liftoff!' programme, supported by a previous Small Award, was devised to foster an interest in Space Science and Technology amongst Year 9 pupils, principally by virtue of a competition to design, build and launch a rocket kit. Approximately 150 pupils from 9 school groups took part. This Award is for the costs of re-printing 200 copies of the Teachers' Guide for distribution at the 2001 ASE Conference, thereby extending the lifespan of this successful project.
Mr MP Lawrik-Thompson, Norwich Astronomical Society, Lingwood, Norwich NR13 4LU
Tel: 01603 716771 Email: thelts@btinternet.com|
£2,950 DIGITAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
An Award for the purchase of digital equipment, to complement the self-financed purchase of a computerised telescope by the Norwich Astronomical Society. This will enable a more 'hands-on' approach by the many childrens' groups visiting the telescope, and a planned remote link to the Society's clubhouse will facilitate access for disabled visitors.
Dr TJ Ponman, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Egbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 414 6448 Email: tjp@star.sr.bham.ac.uk|
£5,000 BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' WEBSITE, PHASE TWO
A contribution to extend and improve the website developed at Birmingham University, partly funded by STFC, which provides teachers and students of A-level Physics with material supporting the A-level syllabus but which is based on the Newton-XMM X-ray Satellite Observatory. The website will be extended to offer similar coverage for the Astronomy and Cosmology options to that currently provided for physics.
Dr AC Baker, Physics & Astronomy, University of Wales, Cardiff, PO Box 913, Cardiff CF2 3YB
Tel: +44 29 2087 5121 Email: a.baker@astro.cf.ac.uk|
£4,000 THE CARDIFF RADIO OBSERVATORY
A project to build and operate the Cardiff Radio Observatory, a public-access radio telescope at Cardiff University. All aspects of the project will be accessible to the public, with a fully-interactive website being used to marshall the information. The project aims to raise the public's awareness of scientific research and to stimulate interest in science education and science careers.
Mrs PM Beatty, Fernhill Road, Bootle, Liverpool L20 6AQ
Tel: 0151 922 3798 Email: Not Available
£360 SPACE
A project to take all (approx 120) Year 7 pupils at an inner-city school to Jodrell Bank to visit the Science Centre and 'Solar System Planetarium Show', and to take part in the 'Sir Isaac and the Orbiting Apple' demonstration lecture. This aims to help the pupils' understanding of Key Stage 3 Science on Space and Gravity, as well as the History of Science.
Mr AT Rolls, CCA @ McLellan Galleries, 270 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EH
Tel: 0141 353 1315 Email: info@vanishing-point.org|
£2,200 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME
A contribution towards the staging of a dramatic interpretation of Stephen Hawking's book at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow in June 2001, with associated workshops before the performances. The project aims to raise the public awareness of particle physics and the fact that it underpins every other science and technology
Prof JD Barrow, DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA
Tel: 01223 766696 Email: j.d.barrow@damtp.cam.ac.uk|
£5,000 CONNECTIONS IN SPACE: FROM THE QUANTUM TO THE COSMOS
A project to assemble and mount an exhibition about many aspects of space, combining perspectives from science and art. It will display and explain conceptions, representations, uses and pictures of space from the sciences and the arts, and will display at several sites around the UK, including Cambridge, Bristol and Greenwich.
Prof KJH Phillips, Space Science Dept., CCLRC, Chilton, Didcot OX11 OQX
Tel: 01235 446424 Email: k.j.h.phillips@rl.ac.uk|
£1,410 WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY AND GEOPHYSICS BROCHURE
A project to produce a brochure to encourage young women to pursue careers in astronomy and related subjects by highlighting the recent achievements of female astronomers and giving practical advice to young women contemplating such careers. The brochure would be distributed to RAS members, at RAS meetings, at STFC exhibitions, to astronomy societies, schools, HEIs etc, and advertised through the appropriate publications.
Dr N Marshall, 26 Whitethorn Mews, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 3XE
Tel:01524 32010 Email: nigel.marshall@virgin.net|
£2,800 GCSE ASTRONOMY GUIDE
A project to produce an updated book/study guide aimed at both pupils and teachers to support the new GCSE Astronomy syllabus, which will be first examined in 2003. This will improve the book (produced in 1996 with the aid of STFC funding). The completed 64-page book will be distributed to all centres entering candidates for GCSE Astronomy in recent years.
Mr A Hon, 29 Croome Drive, West Kirby CH48 8AD
Tel: 07733 266 665 Email: adrian@genmars.com|
£2,000 'GENERATION MARS' EDUCATIONAL YOUTH COMPETITION
A contribution towards the promotion of a nationwide competition combining artwork, music, sculpture, writing and knowledge. The competition is aimed specifically at 11-18 year olds with no interest in space, and aspires to kindle an interest in space exploration, particularly the exploration of Mars.
Dr F Diego, Physics & Astronomy Dept., University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
Tel: 020 7679 3512 Email: fd@star.ucl.ac.uk|
£4,000 MOON PHASES, A PILOT PROJECT
A pilot project to produce a prototype box containing a number of items; the aim being to explore factual and conceptual aspects of the phases of the Moon, using the methods and philosophy of expository and discovery learning. This pilot project is targeted at schoolchildren aged between 5 and 10 years old, with the intention of further developments to reach an adult audience.
Mr G Lewis, Ladymead Community School, Cheddon Road, Taunton TA2 7QP
Tel: 01823 331243 Email: glewis132@aol.com|
£400 INDUSTRY WEEK PROJECT - SPACE SCIENCE
A contribution to Ladymead Community School's annual Industry Week. The funds will be used to visit the National Space Science Centre and undertake a 'mission' in the Challenger Learning Centre, to visit a local industry working in the space field, and to attract a visiting speaker, all with the purpose of bringing to life the UK Space Industry and highlighting the relevance of the matter taught in school.
Mr Robert Mizon, Mizar Astronomy, 38 The Vineries, Colehill, Dorset BH21 2PX
Tel: 01202 887084 Email: see this web page (link opens in a new window)|
£5,000 NEW DOME FOR SCHOOLS' PLANETARIUM
A contribution towards the costs of replacing the Mizar Travelling Planetarium, a 'Starlab' Inflatable Dome, which has been operated for five years throughout South Central England, reaching an audience in the region of 32,000 people.
Mrs R Bairsto, Erasmus Darwin Foundation, Darwin House, Lichfield WS13 7AD
Tel: 01543 306 260 Email: erasmus.d@virgin.net|
£600 HEAVENS ABOVE
A project aiming to work with teachers to provide an interactive introduction to astronomy for local 11-14 year-old schoolchildren in support of Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. This will be achieved by holding an Astronomy Day involving local astronomical societies and a local theatre group.
N.B. Due to certain circumstances Mrs Bairsto was unable to accept this Award.
Dr I Mann, Physics Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO1 5DD
Tel: 01904 432240 Email: ian@aurora.york.ac.uk|
£6,092 SCHOOLS POP-BOTTLE MAGNETOMETER NETWORK (POP-MAGNET)
A project to create a Schools Pop-Bottle Magnetometer Network (Pop-MagNet) which will allow school pupils to make measurements of space weather disturbances for themselves. This will give children an insight into the dynamic space environment of the Earth by performing some very basic remote-sensing from the classroom. Schools can use the AuroraWatch UK e-mail alert system to identify periods of potential significant magnetic activity.
