ARCHIVE FAQs... When does Science Year start and finish? Science Year runs from 7th September 2001 – 31st August 2002. How will Science Year affect me? If you’re between 10 and 19, Science Year is aimed right at you. Explore Wired for fun and interesting facts and things to do. In mid-October, you’ll also be able to register to receive a free science pack containing five experiments and the kit you need to do them with. If you’re a teacher, the Association for Science Education has specially created teaching resources to help capitalise on your creativity and energy, and make science teaching a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for all concerned! Visit Sci-Teach for more information. And whether you’re a teacher, young person, parent - or none of the above, but just interested in science and technology - there’ll be plenty of out of school activities going on near you. So keep your eyes peeled for the Science Year logo. How can I find out more about what’s going to be happening? The Events area of this website has all the information you need about the programme of activities throughout the year. Bookmark it, and check regularly for updates. If you’re a teacher, and want to know more about the specially-created teaching resources available to you – visit our Sci-Teach area. And register for our weekly newsletter for an automatic email update on what’s happening. I’d like to run a science event – can you help me? Prior to the launch of Science Year, applications were invited from organisations or individuals seeking funding for science-related projects. We’ve funded nine projects so far and there may be another round of funding available later in the Year. What we can offer right now is not funding, but branding and support of suitable projects, so that they can become part of the Science Year programme of events, with the benefits that involves in terms of publicity and assistance. Can you fund my project? Prior to the launch of Science Year, applications were invited from organisations or individuals seeking funding for science-related projects. We’ve funded projects and there may be another round of funding available later in the Year. What we can offer right now is not funding, but branding of suitable projects, so that they can become part of the Science Year programme of events, with the benefits that involves in terms of publicity and support. How did you choose which projects to fund through Science Year? Successful applications were chosen on the basis of how they engage our target audience - young people between 10 and 19 years old in science. We were also looking for evidence that projects are inclusive and sustainable beyond the end of Science Year. We have received a huge number of exciting and innovative project ideas and hope to be able to continue to support more projects throughout the year. Is Science Year just for the UK? Science Year is funded by the UK government, so yes it’s focussed on Scotland, England, N Ireland and Wales. But this website is a central part of the Science Year resource, and it will be expanding hugely throughout the year, with fun and serious projects, activities, information and competitions. We warmly welcome users and contributors from all round the world … and any extra-terrestrial intelligence tuning in! Please note that only UK users are eligible for competition prizes though. Who’s behind Science Year? Science Year is the brainchild of the Department for Education and Skills and they are putting £6 million into it, spread over three years. The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) are providing additional support, and Science Year also has generous support from several key sponsors. Science Year is being managed by NESTA. Its two key partners are the Assocation for Science Education (ASE) and the British Assocation for the Advancement of Science (the BA). The ASE are creating and providing enhanced classroom resources and support throughout the year. The BA is running new activities this year and enhancing its existing programme of events in partnership with Science Year. We would like to sponsor Science Year – who should we contact? Excellent news! Please contact sponsor@scienceyear.com Why have a Science Year? The time is right for many reasons. Firstly, there’s evidence that currently many pupils lose interest in science in the early years of secondary school. We want to help teachers to inspire their pupils, and at the same time we want to provide a programme of engaging activities out of school hours, for everyone. Secondly, this is a time when there are crucial decisions to be made by society about issues like biotechnology, climate change and telecommunications. So we want to help equip people with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the concepts involved. Thirdly, the UK currently requires more scientists and engineers in certain areas of the labour market – and more science teachers. … so that’s why we need a year focussed on science technology and engineering. Why is the sky blue? How can ants carry so much more than their own bodyweight? How much warning would we get of an earth-bound killer asteroid??? For answers to any science questions you have, contact Science Line. This amazing free service is available both via their website www.sciencenet.org.uk or on the phone, on 0808 800 4000, and they’re open between 1pm and 7pm six days a week. Anything else you’d like to know about Science Year? Send your question to us at: faq@scienceyear.com