the-BA : NSEW07 Launches

Minister of Science at the NSEW07 launch

At the launch of National Science and Engineering Week at ZSL London Zoo, Malcolm Wicks, the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, and Lord Browne, President of the BA, welcomed the increased number of engineering events taking place as part of the week. They highlighted the important roles that scientists and engineers play in tackling the major challenges that face the world in the 21st century.

'Science impacts our daily lives in countless ways but is also crucial to tackling the biggest global challenges such as climate change,’ said the Minister. ‘Science and technology have been critical in helping us to understand the problem and what we can do to tackle it. We need to enthuse the next generation too, so that we have enough people with the right knowledge and skills to meet these challenges.’

Lord Browne spoke about how he was inspired by the huge global response to the efforts of people like Bob Geldof and Bono – who have demonstrated the remarkable capacity of technology to bring people together, and the continued importance of values and aspiration. But he emphasized that what we need now is the next layer of change – people who can go beyond ideas and vision and make a practical difference. ‘I believe that is what engineering is all about,’ he added, ‘and why I say, “If you want to change the world – be an engineer.”’

Following the speeches, with the help of the Punk Scientists the Minister demonstrated “The Banana Hammer”, one of the contenders in the BA’s nationwide poll to find out “The Nation’s Favourite Experiment”.

Click here to view clips of all the experiments and vote for your favourite.

In Scotland, Heather Reid of BBC Scotland Weather fame, launched National Science and Engineering Week at the Glasgow STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) Group ECODAY at Glasgow Science Centre.

The ECODAY is becoming an annual event and aims to raise awareness of the environment and provide information on how people can live more sustainably. It provides the opportunity for 1000 pupils in the Glasgow area to take part in activities and view displays from a wide range of organisations which can assist people to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

And to celebrate the start of National Science and Engineering Week in Wales, children from Greenway Primary School, Rumney and passers by at the Wales Millennium Centre were dazzled by an array of science, including a free Science Spectacular Show performed by Techniquest. People were given the chance to make musical instruments out of drinking straws and create tornados from lemonade bottles as part of the free science ‘busking’ activities.

The celebrations in Wales have gone from strength to strength and have again this year been supported by a grant from the Welsh Assembly, enabling many more people to take part.

During National Science and Engineering Week over two thousand events will be taking place across the UK. Every aspect of science will be explored – ranging from the fun to the profound, and touching on archaeology to astronomy. There will be hands-on workshops, talks, debates and online activities, and events will take place at a wide variety of places; in science centres, art galleries, universities and even in the street. To find out what’s happening near you, check out the National Science and Engineering Week programme.

If you can’t make it to an event, don’t forget to take a look at the activities we have for you to download and try out at home.

National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board, and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

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