Just to follow up Mike's comment, I think the glass is half full rather than half empty, but ideas from this list as to how the glass could be made fuller still would be very helpful.
As our report I hope demonstrates, if indeed it needed to be demonstrated, the field of 'public engagement with the sciences' is highly diverse. Different people and different organisations of all sizes are involved in activities with a wide variety of different (and sometimes conflicting) purposes. New entrants appear all the time, and we also need to recognise the competitive dimension (people are competing for business and funding).
The first step is surely to have information sharing and joined-up working between activities of a common type or purpose, and a number of our actions and recommendations are aimed at that (e.g. in the training and development arena). There are also specific organisations or networks (national and regional) that help bring people together and share knowledge and ideas in particular aspects. Examples include (purely at random and not at all exhaustive!) STEMNET, UK Science Festivals, National Science and Engineering Week, the Beacons, Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre, Association for Science and Discovery Centres, Association of British Science Writers.
Then there are networks or activities that help join up the different parts. This email list is a good example, as is the Science Communication Conference, the regional 'Science Alliances' and a number of individual social networking sites.
Any thoughts on improving current systems, gaps that need filling, or any other useful idea would be welcome.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kenward
Sent: 18 February 2010 21:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] STEM Deliverers
I am just hitching a free ride on this discussion rather than accusing anyone here of this particular shortcoming, but the comment that "That's exactly what Hands-on-Science does" reminds me of one of the most important findings, to my mind, in Roland Jackson's report for Lord Drayson, "Science For All - Report And Action Plan From The Science For All Expert Group".
The bit that hit me was the observation that "we discovered that there was a significant lack of joined-up working and sharing between those who are involved".
As someone who has banged on for years about people duplicating efforts and not learning from one another - the "learned scientists" are especially rubbish on that front - it was great to see this group making the point so prominently.
Time and again people respond to questions here with pointers to similar activities elsewhere. Understandable when there isn't any effort to bring to all together.
Roland's report promises to follow up the recommendations. If it does no more than connect people and promote "joined-up working and sharing", horrible as the joined up phrase, a cliché of New Labour's early days, is, then it will have taken PEST a great leap forward.
It was what COPUS was all about, but then there was a lot less to join up.
So it is now a much larger challenge.
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Walton
Sent: 18 February 2010 20:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] STEM Deliverers
Dear Katie
That's exactly what Hands-on-Science does - develop and deliver fun but educational workshops - I'll send more details off-list (You can find us on science live too) best wishes Mark Walton Hands on Science Educating, Inspiring, having fun with Science www.hands-on-science.co.uk 07710 087259
----- Original Message -----
From: "Natalie Broadhurst"
<[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 4:11 PM
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] STEM Deliverers
Hi Katy
Try www.sciencelive.net
Thanks
Natalie
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katy Evans
Sent: 18 February 2010 15:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] STEM Deliverers
Dear All,
I am looking for someone who can deliver a 'hands on' activity to secondary schools, where students will be able to design, build and then test a model.
We work with a number of schools across the UK to promote science, technology, engineering and maths to help motivate young people to consider courses and careers in these areas. I would appreciate if you know of anyone
who can help in delivering an activity to a secondary school?
Kind Regards
Katy
[log in to unmask]
www.etrust.org.uk
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