the-BA : Small Grant Scheme

Image of child with plasma ball (copyright: the BA)

The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is happy to announce the availability of a new grant scheme to help enable schools to organise their own National Science and Engineering Week events.

National Science and Engineering Week, which is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aims to stimulate and support scientists, engineers, science communicators and the general public to produce the largest range of self-sustaining events, across the UK, in order to engage as many people as possible with science, engineering, technology and their implications.

Thanks to extra funds provided by the DTI for National Science and Engineering Week 2007, the BA is able to offer a small grant scheme to state schools. It is hoped that this grant will lead to increased participation of schools with a high proportion of pupils from black and minority ethnic communities or with disadvantaged backgrounds, and encourage schools who have not previously taken part to join in the celebrations for 2007.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Minister for Science and Innovation, urges schools to apply for the grants and help spread the Science and Engineering Week celebrations across the UK.

‘Science and Engineering Week is a fantastic way to get the community involved and interested in science, particularly with this year’s focus on energy and climate change. Using fun and informative activities, it helps break down the false perception that science is all about learning by rote and dusty old books, and shows that it is exciting and useful in our every day lives,’ he says.

Joanna Rooke, National Science and Engineering Week Events Officer, says: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer the National Science and Engineering Week Small Grant Scheme. Teachers report that not only is science and engineering enrichment activity fun, but it helps to motivate children and supports their learning and development. By providing easy-to-use resources and a little funding for materials, we hope that these grants will attract teachers and schools in to National Science and Engineering Week who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.’

There are a huge number of ways in which schools can get involved with National Science and Engineering Week, which runs from 9-18 March 2007. Reflecting this, the grant money can be used for a wide range of costs of activities or events celebrating National Science and Engineering Week, including consumables, field trips, presenters, outreach shows or registration for a BA Award Scheme.

The deadline for the first round of applications will be Friday 24th November 2006. There will be a second round of applications open until Friday 26 January 2007.

For further information about the grant scheme, please contact Rupa Kundu on 020 7019 4930. For general information about National Science and Engineering Week, including how to get involved, please contact Joanna Rooke on 020 7019 4937, or email nsew@the-ba.net.

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