Are you - or do you know - an amazing science communicator who is at a defining moment in their career?
The Josh Award is an award established to recognise and support up-and-coming talent in science communication. The award recognises a defining moment in the career of a science communicator; a person who is a practicing scientist or someone who has chosen science communication as their profession.
This defining moment could be a game changing project, piece of work, way of working or a key moment of change, creativity, innovation or passion. A defining moment in a career that has transformed science communication practice, inspired others or changed the landscape of science communication.
The award provides the opportunity to become the science communicator in residence at the Manchester Science Festival 2016, developing and delivering a new project or event while showcasing best practise in the field of science communication.
The winner will receive support to nurture their development in the field and their involvement in the Manchester Science Festival from both the Festival team and the BIG STEM Communicators Network.
You can find out more about the Award and the simple application process at www.big.uk.com/josh
Closing date 15 April.
Registration is now open for the BIG Event, Wed 20 - Fri 22 July at W5 Science Centre in Belfast.
The BIG Event is a three-day conference offering an unmissable opportunity to squeeze the skills and ideas out of all the STEM engagement people you can in a short space of time.
The BIG Event is relevant for designers, presenters, educators, students, front of house staff, evaluators, educationalists, funders, and anyone involved in public engagement with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Many people working in the STEM engagement field have little opportunity to cross paths with their peers, so the BIG Event was designed with exactly this in mind.
More than 40 workshops, discussions, shows, and even a sprinkling of sessions that simply can’t be categorised; this is the place to:
- share skills and experiences
- develop professional links and keep up-to-date with the STEM engagement field
- hone your skills and recharge your professional batteries
- pick up great ideas and show off your talents to peers
- meet your next employer
Register and find out more at www.big.uk.com/bigevent16
Low cost flights from Flybe, RyanAir, Easyjet available from all UK airports to Belfast City or Belfast International Airports.
Are you - or do you know - an amazing science communicator who is at a defining moment in their career? The Josh Award is an award established to recognise and support up-and-coming talent in science communication. The award recognises a defining moment in the career of a science communicator; a person who is a practicing scientist or someone who has chosen science communication as their profession. This defining moment could be a game changing project, piece of work, way of working or a key moment of change, creativity, innovation or passion. A defining moment in a career that has transformed science communication practice, inspired others or changed the landscape of science communication. The award provides the opportunity to become the science communicator in residence at the Manchester Science Festival 2016, developing and delivering a new project or event while showcasing best practise in the field of science communication. The winner will receive support to nurture their development in the field and their involvement in the Manchester Science Festival from both the Festival team and the BIG STEM Communicators Network. You can find out more about the Award and the simple application process here.
Just one week left to put forward your excellent ideas for sessions that will plump out the BIG Event with succulent morsels of professional development.
Don't forget - session providers/speakers receive a discount on the registration fee to attend the BIG Event.
Would you like to run a session for 150-or-so STEM Communicators at this year's BIG Event in Belfast on 20-22 July?
Bring a show, a workshop, something needing tweaking, something you think is fab; bring your skills in evaluating, managing, developing, presenting, fettling; bring your planetarium, your STEM tap-routine, your busks, your IPad session. But whatever you do, make it hands-on, make it collaborative, make it a truly sharing contribution. The content for the BIG Event is created by the members. And the people who say they get the most out of it are the people who contribute the content.
Your session ideas can be put forward now until 22 February on the BIG Event session proposals site www.bigevent.info
So we’re heading to the W5 Science Centre in Belfast this summer, which offers:
W5 is only ten mins taxi trundle from Belfast City Airport and the place is small and friendly enough that you’d be hard pressed to get out of departures without hooking up with another BIG person to share your taxi with. They could help carry all that stuff you like to bring. Visit Belfast has given us lots of support already and are making plans to help BIG-Event-goers stay on in Northern Ireland for their hols – more on that later.
You can decide what sessions to go to later (you know they’ll be right up your street and if they’re not, propose your own), but If you fancy adding ‘efficiency’ to your list of new year’s resolutions, then why not start by grabbing a cheap flight now from just £25 with FlyBe, EasyJet or RyanAir.
The call for session proposals will open soon so keep an eye out for that in your inboxes. Any questions about what the venue can take, email event@big.uk.com
10 bursaries to attend this year's Little Event up for grabs! But get applying quickly because the deadline for applications is 18th December.
Each bursary worth £100 covers an annual BIG membership, registration fees for the Little Event and £25 towards travel expenses.
The Little Event is for people who are relatively new to STEM communication, whether they work in a science centre or museum, volunteer for a festival, are involved in university outreach, or do anything else to engage people with sciences. It’s a lot like the BIG Event, but a bit smaller, and all crammed into one busy day. There will be several sessions, each focusing on developing a different skill, delivered by experienced science communicators following our usual hands-on approach.
But of course it isn’t just about the sessions, it’s the people you meet there too. The Little Event presents a great opportunity to meet people from across the UK working in similar roles and sharing similar experiences. The programme for the day will include sessions on Learning & evaluation, Interacting with the public, Managing your engagement project, Presenting and careers.
If you wish to apply for one of the 10 free places, applying is simple. Just email admin@big.uk.com by noon on Friday 18th December with the subject line "Bursary application Little Event" to tell us in no more than 200 words why you would like the opportunity to come to the Little Event and how you think it will benefit your personal and professional development. If you have already registered for the Event you can still apply for the bursary and we will refund your registration if you are successful.
Successful applicants will be notified by 23rd December by email.
For more information or to book click here
Sarah Vining, Administrator
Wednesday 13th January 2016, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Thinktank, Birmingham
This one-day conference is for early-career STEM communicators who are keen to suck the knowledge and experience out of those who have been at it for ages. It is also an excellent opportunity to make professional and friendly relationships with others in similar work, or to update job-hunting skills for those hoping to take a next step in their careers.
The full programme is being finalised and will be announced in early December.
The price is £45 for BIG members. Non-members can join first for the annual fee of £30
Register (or find out more) here
How to train researchers event is now FULL
How to train researchers - BIG Skills Day - Tuesday 24th November - Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Find out more here.
Contact BIG: admin@big.uk.com
