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4th March 2005 issue: 20

Get ready, Wired-Up subscribers, to roll out the red carpet and smile for the cameras because this issue promises to be glitzier and more glamorous than Hollywood’s Oscars. Here are the nominations:

  1. PLANET PICKS – This month’s quiz could spring you a surprise or two!
  2. THE WIRE – Science Week is coming to a town or city near you...
  3. NEWSLETTER SPECIAL – With super science stuff and prizes galore!
  4. GEAR FOR GRABS – IMAX tickets to get your hands on.
  5. SPOTLIGHT ON... – Time to put on your red noses (and your thinking hats too!)
1. PLANET PICKS – News from the world of Planet Science...

And the winners of the March Planet Science Quiz are...

...Er, there’s nothing in the envelope!

That’s because the winners haven’t been picked yet as there are still another 27 glorious days left in March, which means you’ve got plenty of time to try and win a fantastic prize.

Towards the end of the month is the first day of spring, so Planet Science thought it only fair to host a quiz on ‘springs and springiness’. A terrible play on words, I know, but we just couldn’t resist! What better way to celebrate the fact spring has nearly sprung than by answering questions on the science behind Bungee jumping, pogo sticks and shock absorbers?

If you get all ten questions right then you’ll automatically be entered into the draw to win one of ten fantastic Slinkys. So give the quiz a go by clicking on the following link, because winning the prize might just put a spring in your step (but don’t get too wound up if you don’t win – there’s always next month’s quiz!).

Here’s the quiz:
http://www.planet-science.com/wired/comp_quiz/03_05_spring/
2. THE WIRE – Science Week 11th – 20th March

Now, onto the main feature of the award-ceremony.. 

It’s nearly that time of year again when we all go a bit barmy for biology, crazy for chemistry and downright potty for physics! National Science Week is happening from 11th to 20th March so prepare yourself for some serious science in action!

During National Science Week 2004, there were over 1500 events with around 300 000 people taking part, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Throughout the UK, from Truro (England) to Thurso (Scotland), Aberystwyth (Wales) to Armagh (N.Ireland), you can take part in events happening at schools, youth clubs, science centres and museums near you.

To find out what’s happening in your area, visit the Science Week website here:
http://www.the-ba.net/nsw

Even if you can’t make it to one of the events across the country, you could try exploring the science of your own home as the website contains dozens of free activities that can be done with your family and friends. There’s even information on how you could organise a birthday party to celebrate Einstein’s birthday on 14th March!

As usual, Wired-Up will also be full of inspiration during Science Week, so let’s go over the Wired-Up Editor now, as she’s just about to make her acceptance speech...
3. NEWSLETTER SPECIAL – Details of the next two issues of Wired-Up...

“OH MI GOD! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!! Let me get my breath back. Sob! First, I’d like to thank all the...sob!..lovely people at Planet Science who are...sob!...making it possible for Wired-Up to star in not ONE but TWO Science Week Specials...sob! I think I need a tissue!”

While the Editor just sorts herself out, don’t forget to check your inbox next Friday (11th March) for the first Science Week Special issue of Wired-Up – featuring a bumper science competition and ideas for Science Week experiments and activities.

Then on 18th March, check your inbox again for the second Wired-Up Special, which will feature your lemon juice experiment results. Don’t panic though, you can still submit your results by emailing: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk with ‘I’M A LITTLE SQUIRT’ as the subject. You’ve got until 12th March to email your results and claim your free Frisbee!

Back to the ceremony...
4. GEAR FOR GRABS – You’ve got to be in it to win it...

The following IMAX film wasn’t in the ‘Best Film’ category at this year’s Oscars, but we think it will definitely win your vote.

From 18th March the Science Museum IMAX Cinema, London, will be showing the latest animated film from the creators of Ice Age. The film, called ‘Robots: The IMAX Experience 2D’, will transport you all the way to Robot City to follow the adventures of genius inventor and robot Rodney Copperbottom.

If you want to get your hands on a pair of tickets then send an email with your name and address to: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk with ‘I’M RO-BOTTY’ as the subject. The winner will be picked at random, so good luck!
5. SPOTLIGHT ON... – Put some science relief into Comic Relief...

Finally, we couldn’t end the newsletter without mentioning Comic Relief Red Nose Day, which is happening on Friday 11th March. There’s still plenty of time left to organise a sponsored event so why not join Red Nose Day and Science Week together and raise some money by doing something science-related? You could:

  • Hold a paper-plane flying competition. Competitors donate money to fly their paper-planes and the plane that flies the furthest is the winner.
  • Dress like your favourite scientist (fictional or non-fictional, dead or alive) for the day. Ask people to sponsor you for looking like Albert Einstein or the Nutty Professor!
  • Hold a group science investigation. Each person has to donate money to take part. You could test whether a piece of buttered bread lands butter-side down or not.

You can probably think of much better fundraising ideas than ours, so visit the Red Nose Day website, and find out how you can get involved, by clicking here:
http://www.rednoseday.com
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

Got Wired-Up? Got clued up!

Don’t forget to check your inbox on Friday 11th March for the Wired-Up Science Week Special. If you have any requests or ideas for the Science Week issue then email them to: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk

P.S. If you wish to unsubscribe from Wired-Up then reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject.