Research shows that the overwhelming majority of the public regard television as their most significant source of information about science. We believe that the broadcast media should represent and reflect all areas of science and culture, and therefore should be produced by people from a variety of different backgrounds.

We aim to increase the crossover between science and the media and to enable bright, articulate and motivated scientists to explore a career in the broadcast industry.

The Science Media Studentships offer financial support for two practising biomedical scientists to undertake a postgraduate qualification in Science Media Production at Imperial College London and to follow this with a six-month placement working in the broadcast industry.  

The 2010 round of applications just opened today. Deadline is 26 February 2010.

For more information, see:
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Grants/Science-Media-Studentships

Guest Blogger: The Wellcome Trust

Maths Inspiration is returning to the Nottingham Playhouse on 25 March after the huge success of this school lecture event in 2009.  We’re expecting pupils from about 40 schools from Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties to come, with full houses (nearly 700) at both shows. 

The event aims to inspire more teenagers to pursue mathematical subjects to a higher level.  Audience interaction and humour are an important element.  Scientist and stand-up comedian Helen Pilcher is the MC, and Mark Lewney – rock guitarist and physicist – is the headline act.  The audience will also get insights into the building of the 2012 Olympic Stadium from engineer Paul Shepherd, and a talk on the maths of psychology (with a bit of Derren Brown style telepathy thrown in) from author and broadcaster Rob Eastaway.

The event is suitable for sixth formers and more able/motivated Year 11s. To book your place, or find out more visit http://www.mathsinspiration.com/events.html

Guest Blogger: Rob Eastaway

Do you have a team of pupils that can help design an adidas glove for canoeing, sailing or rowing? If so, they could be in with the chance of spending the day with an Olympian! 

In this challenge, adidas is challenging students to design a new glove for use by athletes in the above sports at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Students will investigate and test suitable materials for a glove and the winning glove design could even be prototyped by adidas. This challenge provides an opportunity for any KS3 student to be a part of London 2012.

The challenge should amount to no more than eight hours of work, from which students create a ten minute presentation. 

The second challenge is now under way and runs until Sunday 25 April. Team names must be registered by Monday 22 March.

 

The School of Science and Technology at the University of Northampton has been working with local schools to create robots made from junk. This is an initiative by the University to introduce environmental sustainability, engineering and computing to students in a fun and educational project that uses STEM subjects.

Junkbots is being delivered by university staff and students, working as STEM Ambassadors, going into schools to provide guidance and support in the production of the robots.  The workshops will introduce students to the idea of waste management and allow them to design and build their own robots, using junk material, to being with and later creating a robot that will clear rubbish.  Students will then present their work to the wider group.

Here are some comments from Thomas Becket Catholic School who have been working with the University of Northampton’s School of Science and Technology on the Junkbots project; Kerrie Henton, Vice Principal at Thomas Becket School said “We are committed to environmental sustainability at Thomas Becket and any opportunity we can give our students to engage in an exiting learning opportunity that is good for the community is something we couldn’t turn down. The students and staff supporting the project have had an excellent time and the robots they produced are just superb.” 

David Barclay (14) said 'It's been very good and great fun and it has made me realise aspects about the environment that I never realised before. We have even found ways to save the school money which I am sure the Head will be pleased about'. 

The Junkbots project is funded by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd through the Single Programme and managed by the University of Northampton.   

Guest Blogger: Heathery Payne, Northamptonshire Enterprise

3 Feb 2010, Day One

A very excited Space Academy Project Manager, Lead Educator and Project Scientist boarded a flight for Houston bound for the Space Exploration Educators Conference at the Johnson Space Center.  The team, along with Space Academy Project Director, are due to present workshops showcasing teacher CPD developed by the Space Academy.  As part of the conference the team will take part in a number of tours around NASA's Mission Control and Ellington Fields Air Force Base to get a real insight into the workings of NASA and its Astronaut Corps. 

Its safe to say that we are all exceptionally excited at this opportunity to present at a world class conference and to get the chance to visit such an inspirational and historical place.

 

Guest Blogger: Dr Sarah Hill, Project Manager, National Space Centre.