Grants available to help schools participate in National Science and Engineering Week
For immediate release
Wednesday 8 October 2008
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is happy to announce that the grant scheme available to help enable schools organise their own National Science and Engineering Week events is now even larger, enabling more schools to benefit.
National Science and Engineering Week 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. It is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
During the past two years that the grant scheme has been available, over 480 schools have used the money to fund science and engineering activities and events for their students.
Thanks to further funds provided by DIUS, it is hoped that this grant will lead to increased participation of disadvantaged schools and students from ethnic minorities in National Science and Engineering Week.
To be eligible for funding schools must either a) have high proportion of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds, b) have a high proportion of pupils eligible for free schools meals, c) be a small school based in a remote or rural location, and/or d) be a school that has a low attainment in science and technology subjects.
Joanna Rooke, Manager of Regional Programmes at the BA, says: ‘We are delighted to be able to continue to offer the National Science and Engineering Week Small Grant Scheme. Our feedback has shown that these small grants have been exceedingly well received by teachers and pupils alike and have been instrumental in providing exciting and engaging science experiences to pupils that would ordinarily be unable to participate.’
There are a huge number of ways in which schools can get involved with National Science and Engineering Week, which runs from 6-15 March 2009. 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 or outreach shows.
The deadline for applications will be 28 November 2008.
For further information about the grant scheme and how to apply, or for general information about how to get involved in National Science and Engineering Week, please visit www.the-ba.net/nsew, contact Jenny Beard on 0207 019 4937 or email nsew@the-ba.net.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 0207 019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Jenny Beard, National Science and Engineering Week Officer, the BA
Tel: 0207 019 4937
Email: nsew@the-ba.net
Notes 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. About National Science and Engineering Week (6-15 March 2009):
• An essential feature is that it takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. It draws many scientists into the public domain to discuss their work with interested audiences. 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, with venues ranging from shopping centres to pubs and churches.
• National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
• 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.
• 2008 Vital Statistics:
o over 3,500 events; from hands-on activities to discussions, tours and online activities
o over 1.4 million participants at events
• For more information, including an online programme of events, visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.
3. The National Science & Engineering Week small grant scheme for schools was a new initiative started in NSEW 2007 and funded by DIUS. The aim of the scheme was to provide small amounts of money to schools, with either a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds or from ethnic minority communities, in order to run some sort of activity or event for NSEW. In 2008, 191 schools were successful in obtaining a NSEW small grant and an estimated 44,300 pupils in total attended these school events. Overall this included an estimated 18,166 pupils (41%) from ethnic minorities and 13,691 (31%) pupils eligible for free school meals as estimated by the schools in the application process. Funding has been doubled to enable provision of £100,000 directly to schools for National Science and Engineering Week for 2009.
Wednesday 8 October 2008
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is happy to announce that the grant scheme available to help enable schools organise their own National Science and Engineering Week events is now even larger, enabling more schools to benefit.
National Science and Engineering Week 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. It is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
During the past two years that the grant scheme has been available, over 480 schools have used the money to fund science and engineering activities and events for their students.
Thanks to further funds provided by DIUS, it is hoped that this grant will lead to increased participation of disadvantaged schools and students from ethnic minorities in National Science and Engineering Week.
To be eligible for funding schools must either a) have high proportion of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds, b) have a high proportion of pupils eligible for free schools meals, c) be a small school based in a remote or rural location, and/or d) be a school that has a low attainment in science and technology subjects.
Joanna Rooke, Manager of Regional Programmes at the BA, says: ‘We are delighted to be able to continue to offer the National Science and Engineering Week Small Grant Scheme. Our feedback has shown that these small grants have been exceedingly well received by teachers and pupils alike and have been instrumental in providing exciting and engaging science experiences to pupils that would ordinarily be unable to participate.’
There are a huge number of ways in which schools can get involved with National Science and Engineering Week, which runs from 6-15 March 2009. 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 or outreach shows.
The deadline for applications will be 28 November 2008.
For further information about the grant scheme and how to apply, or for general information about how to get involved in National Science and Engineering Week, please visit www.the-ba.net/nsew, contact Jenny Beard on 0207 019 4937 or email nsew@the-ba.net.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 0207 019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Jenny Beard, National Science and Engineering Week Officer, the BA
Tel: 0207 019 4937
Email: nsew@the-ba.net
Notes 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. About National Science and Engineering Week (6-15 March 2009):
• An essential feature is that it takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. It draws many scientists into the public domain to discuss their work with interested audiences. 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, with venues ranging from shopping centres to pubs and churches.
• National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
• 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.
• 2008 Vital Statistics:
o over 3,500 events; from hands-on activities to discussions, tours and online activities
o over 1.4 million participants at events
• For more information, including an online programme of events, visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.
3. The National Science & Engineering Week small grant scheme for schools was a new initiative started in NSEW 2007 and funded by DIUS. The aim of the scheme was to provide small amounts of money to schools, with either a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds or from ethnic minority communities, in order to run some sort of activity or event for NSEW. In 2008, 191 schools were successful in obtaining a NSEW small grant and an estimated 44,300 pupils in total attended these school events. Overall this included an estimated 18,166 pupils (41%) from ethnic minorities and 13,691 (31%) pupils eligible for free school meals as estimated by the schools in the application process. Funding has been doubled to enable provision of £100,000 directly to schools for National Science and Engineering Week for 2009.
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