The Francis Crick Institute is looking for a science show provider to present to school children aged 12-13 in our central London auditorium.
Every year in the Summer term the Crick Education Team provide a Cracking Crick interactive science show for local secondary schools. The dates for 2023 are July 3rd and 4th.
Do you have the enthusiasm for science education and charisma for presenting that means you could lead the next Cracking Cricks? We are looking for pre-existing or new material for these shows. Deadline for submissions is 15th November 2022
Full details are in the brief text below:
SCIENCE SHOW PROPOSAL
Information for applicants
The Crick is seeking a Science Show provider to present to school children
aged 12-13 using either pre-existing or new material.
Context
To complement other outreach activities at the Crick, the Crick contracts an external
individual/organisation to provide an interactive, exciting 1-hour science show for local students
in Year 8 (aged 12-13 years). Hosted at the Crick and repeated over two days toward the end of
the academic year, the show aims to enthuse students about science related to the STEM
curriculum, and promote the Crick as being the type of place they could see themselves visiting
and working in the future.
We are reviewing our offer for Key Stage 3 students and welcome proposals from experienced
science show presenters to deliver a new or pre-existing show that is engaging and appropriate
for Year 8 students in Camden. Subject to satisfactory delivery of the initial shows, we
anticipate continuing the contract for another 3-5 years.
Audience
Year 8 students from Camden state schools, with typically 2-5 schools attending per show.
The audience, comprising as it does all members of the local school community, is anticipated to
include individuals that will have a range of backgrounds, abilities, disabilities and
neurodivergencies.
Show content and education programme objectives
The show should:
- last for approx. 1 hour
- be delivered to up to 400 students and accompanying adults per show
- be repeated 5 times over two consecutive days (2023 dates are confirmed as Monday 3rd
and Tuesday 4th July)
- include topics on the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum science programme of study in
England
- make a clear link between STEM topics taught in school and research topics and scientific
techniques of the Crick
- have a clear narrative
- be scientifically accurate and reflect the terminology and concept level expected by the
National Curriculum. The show must not include any medical advice.
- include interactive elements e.g. whole-audience voting, individual volunteer
participation on stage etc.
- be engaging for Year 8 students across the ability and ‘interest in science’ spectrum
- Have a flexible approach to accommodate the access needs of particular audience
members wherever possible– potentially at short notice.
Venue
- 400 seater auditorium at the Francis Crick Institute (1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT).
Weekday access to the auditorium before performances is available to set up
equipment/resources.
- access to a teaching laboratory (the Weston Discovery Lab) adjacent to the auditorium,
available for storage and preparation of show resources.
Presenter attributes
Presenters should:
- be engaging for a Year 8 audience
- be comfortable working with Key Stage 3 audiences of several hundred students
- demonstrate an understanding of and sensitivity towards the viewpoints and concerns of
an audience of this age
- be aware of the discourse on accessibility for audiences
- encourage and confidently manage audience participation
- confidently handle and to best abilities manage challenging behaviour from audiences
- be flexible to accommodate last minute delays or changes on the day
Presenter teams should not:
- present roles within the team that reinforce gender, racial or other stereotypes
Deliverables
If your proposal is successful, you will be required to:
- attend an initial meeting with the Education team to discuss details of the show in the
context of the venue, and tailor the plan if necessary
- pilot the show at least once, demonstrating that it meets the objectives of the education
programme as itemised above, and tailor if necessary
- submit a detailed risk assessment for the show a minimum of 6 weeks before show date
and implement any further risk mitigation identified by the Crick’s Health & Safety team
- provide evidence of employer’s and/or public liability insurance (we reserve the right to
request additional insurance coverage if required)
- provide all materials and staff to perform the show (Crick staff will be on hand to
manage the audience’s movements in and out of the venue, but presenters will need to
manage all show volunteers).
- deliver five 1-hour shows over Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th July 2023. The first 1-hour
show will start no earlier than 9am and the last show will start no later than 3pm.
- contribute to post-show feedback and refinement discussions and implement any agreed
modifications for future shows
The Education team will:
- provide guidance and feedback around meeting objectives and tailoring the show where
necessary
- recruit school audiences to attend the shows, and be the central point of contact for
school groups
- recruit and brief staff to oversee visitors before, during and after the show
- arrange a pre-show visit of the venue for presenter(s)
- arrange AV support where needed
- assist in getting all equipment needed for the show into and out of the venue
- arrange for appropriate storage of materials needed for the show
- evaluate the show and provide feedback
The Francis Crick Institute will:
- pay the performer/organisation for services in line with standard contractual terms and
conditions
Budget
Your proposal should include the total cost for delivering the show as stated above, excluding
VAT. You should also indicate if you/your organisation is VAT registered. Costs should include
staff time, tailoring the show where required, all materials, travel and accommodation where
needed.
Key dates
Deadline for submitting show proposal: 15th November 2022
Short-listing and interviews/visits to shows: November/December 2022
Notification of successful application: Early 2023
Piloting of the show and tailoring if required: May 2023
Deadline for submitting risk assessment: 22nd May 2023
Delivery of shows: Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th July 2023
Payment of performer/organisation: 30 days from invoice date
How to submit a proposal
Proposals should include:
- Total cost (specifying relevant VAT rate)
- Description of the show
- Relevant prior experience
- Any specific requirements such as access to running water, AV equipment, tables, chairs
etc
- A link to a video showing the presenter(s) in action, ideally in front of a live audience but
if this is not possible, a recording to camera is acceptable (please contact us if a dropbox
link is required).
- Confirmation of availability for Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th July 2023
Please return proposals to Alison.dibbs@crick.ac.uk by 15th November 2022
