the-BA : BA Press Release - 31 October 2006

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.

ENDS

For further information about the grant scheme please contact:

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

Note for editors

1. 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.

2. National Science and Engineering Week will take place from 9-18 March 2007. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net/nsew

3. About National Science and Engineering Week:

National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science).
National Science and Engineering Week is endorsed and supported by the Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
In 2007, the BA is working in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) to broaden the scale and scope of the programme and to celebrate the vital contribution that engineering makes to society.
Energy and climate change will again be a key focus during the week in 2007, building on the success of the Click for the Climate campaign during last year’s National Science Week.
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:
engage and inspire people of all ages with science and technology and their implications,
promote discussion and understanding of what science, engineering and technology can and cannot achieve,
promote knowledge of the scientific method, i.e. how scientists go about their work and reach their conclusions,
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.

2006 Vital Statistics:

over 2,000 events; from hands-on activities to discussions, tours and online activities
over 660,000 participants at events
high level of public awareness

4. A searchable database of events during National Science and Engineering Week is available at www.the-ba.net/nsewprogramme.

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