the-BA : BA Press Release - 1 February 2008

For Immediate Release
1 February 2008

You’ll be amazed what’s on offer during National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March). Not only could you find out how some plants have taken to eating each other, and even animals, but you could also cycle the solar system, learn how new cancer drugs are developed, and explore the science of the circus – just how do acrobats balance on a tight-rope?

Throughout the UK – from Aberdeen to Armagh, Swansea to Stoke-on-Trent – over half a million people are expected to take part in events at theatres, schools, pubs, galleries, and science and engineering centres.

National Science and Engineering Week is also the time to discuss the latest issues in science and technology. In Edinburgh, Professor Stephen Salter will discuss the engineering of a possible emergency global cooling-system which could keep temperature under control until renewable resources can be fully developed, whilst in Cambridge, Professor Lorraine Tyler will look at recent progress that has been made to understand the effects of aging on the human brain – ever more urgent in the face of our rapidly aging population.

The Science Minister, Ian Pearson, urges people to get involved:

‘This year’s theme is “A Question of Science”. We question the world around us from a very early age, and questioning is central to scientific discovery – National Science and Engineering Week is an ideal opportunity to consider how far scientific and engineering knowledge has come and how far it could take us in the future. With a wealth of special free resources and activities, and thousands of events taking place across the UK, taking part in National Science and Engineering Week couldn’t be easier.’

Even if you can’t make it to an event, you could try exploring the science of your own home. The National Science and Engineering Week website contains dozens of free activities that can be done with your family and friends. You could even put some of your own burning questions to leading scientists and engineers as part of ‘The Big Question’ – see www.the-ba.net/thebigquestion for more information and to pose your questions.

To find out what’s going on in your area, or to access the free resources, visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.

During National Science and Engineering Week there’s also an opportunity for schools across the UK to take part in what is hoped will be the largest national schools’ scientific experiment to date. ‘Ready to Learn? The Experiment’, run by Teachers TV in association with the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), will investigate how factors such as diet, sleep and exercise affect children’s memory and concentration – their readiness to learn. Schools can register to take part from now until Friday 29 February, and the experiment will run from 10-14 March.

To help teachers, lesson plans providing examples of how to integrate ‘Ready to Learn? The Experiment’ into the Science curriculum at every Key Stage will be available online, and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programmes and a fascinating documentary on the neuroscience behind the experiment will be broadcast on Teachers TV.

The experiment is open to all UK primary and secondary schools and a unique set of online activities has been designed by The Tavistock Clinic to be used by children from 5 to 16 years old. Each child will receive their own score on the activities, as well as tips on how to improve their readiness to learn, while schools will receive a complete data set of their pupils’ scores. Visit www.teachers.tv/experiment to register and access resources.

National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net

Note for editors

• The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.

• The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) is an independent organisation that promotes the vital role of engineers, engineering and technology in our society. The ETB partners business and industry, government and the wider STEM community: producing evidence on the state of engineering, and inspiring young people to choose a career in engineering, matching employers’ demand for skills. For more information about the ETB please visit www.etechb.co.uk.

• About National Science and Engineering Week:

• National Science and Engineering Week 2008 will take place from 7-16 March 2008. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.

• National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science).

• National Science and Engineering Week is funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

• Following the success in broadening the scale and scope of the programme to celebrate the vital contribution that engineering makes to society in 2007, the BA is continuing to work in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB).

• The theme for 2008 is ‘A Question of Science’.

• During the week, events are organised throughout the UK by a large and varied range of organisations and individuals including hospitals, schools, industry and museums. Venues range from shopping centres to pubs and churches.

• National Science and Engineering Week is aimed at everyone from children and adults to decision-makers and investors and is intended to:

o engage and inspire people of all ages with science and technology and their implications,
o promote discussion and understanding of what science, engineering and technology can and cannot achieve,
o promote knowledge of the scientific method, i.e. how scientists go about their work and reach their conclusions,
o promote science, engineering and technology studies beyond the age of 16, and science, engineering and technology as career options.

• An essential feature of National Science and Engineering Week is the way it takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. The week has drawn many scientists into the public domain to discuss their work with interested audiences.

• 2007 Vital Statistics:

o over 3,000 events; from hands-on activities to discussions, tours and online activities
o over 760,000 participants at events

	Home

	Press Office

	Press Releases

	2007 Press Releases

	2006 Press Releases

	2005 Press Releases

	2004 Press Releases