Hi,
in my experience running something on a tight budget isn't a problem if
you have help, imagination and use what is around you. For example, at a
family event we had a section on testing every day items with litmus
paper which you may think would be quite a quick item. I asked a friend,
a local secondary school teacher if he could help out, and he arrived
with lab coats and goggles and children spent ages with him trying
everything they could get their hands on - including some of the
refreshments from downstairs - and learning so much more because he was
helping them. Getting the chance to dress up as real scientists was a
real draw.
I've had film cannisters from the camera shop and cellophane from the
baby club art box to show how the different plants grow with different
coloured light. The local Tesco store awarded us £10 to spend in store
and we did several different experiments from this including growing
flowers (from my garden and the florists) in different coloured waters
with food colouring which gave spectacular results and which the
florists were happy to display in their window.
Lots of the ideas were from the British Science Association so the
advice is to take the ideas and not be afraid to ask for help from :
schools, secondary schools and universities (the next stage up is always
of great interest)
parents - especially if you want something specific
local businesses - you can put them on your posters and in press
releases or give them something back to display or keep
National businesses
If you also have a theme then people who do things locally may come to
you with an idea - for example we had Colour in Science as a theme and I
tutored art so we learnt about colour mixing, the colour wheel and
absorption of water based paints by salt and what we were using to paint
on was satin which had been near the entrance to the marquee at my
brother's wedding. In these days of reduce, reuse and recycle I'm sure
lots more ideas for how you can do things cheaply or free would be
available if you're brave enough to ask.
And people who run events on very small or non existent budgets can
create wonderful things which people thoroughly enjoy.
Kerynne Robertson
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