Showing posts with label what's on. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what's on. Show all posts
Friday, 30 January 2009
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
UK Schools Computer Animation Competition 2009 - now open!
Now open! The UK Schools Computer Animation Competition 2009
The competition is open to all UK schoolchildren aged between 7 and 19. The deadline for entering is Friday 1 May 2009. For full details, and to register your school's interest, please visit the Animation09 website. Register now, with no obligation, and keep in the picture!
About the competition
The School of Computer Science at The University of Manchester is running the second annual UK Schools Computer Animation Competition, in association with Electronic Arts and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
For the 2009 competition, entrants can create their animations (maximum duration: 1 minute) using any of the following programs: Alice, Scratch, or Flash. There are some great prizes, and the Animation Festival and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
The inaugural 2008 competition attracted over 230 entries from 55 schools, with over 400 children attending the Film Show and Awards Ceremony day at The University of Manchester. Visit the 2008 Winners Gallery.
Key dates
19 January 2009: Competition launch, and the website opens for registration.
1 May 2009: Deadline for submitting entries.
22 May 2009: Shortlisted winners notified.
26 June 2009: Film Show and Awards Ceremony day at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
Key contacts
Animation09 website
Enquiries: Animation09@cs.man.ac.uk
The competition is open to all UK schoolchildren aged between 7 and 19. The deadline for entering is Friday 1 May 2009. For full details, and to register your school's interest, please visit the Animation09 website. Register now, with no obligation, and keep in the picture!
About the competition
The School of Computer Science at The University of Manchester is running the second annual UK Schools Computer Animation Competition, in association with Electronic Arts and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
For the 2009 competition, entrants can create their animations (maximum duration: 1 minute) using any of the following programs: Alice, Scratch, or Flash. There are some great prizes, and the Animation Festival and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
The inaugural 2008 competition attracted over 230 entries from 55 schools, with over 400 children attending the Film Show and Awards Ceremony day at The University of Manchester. Visit the 2008 Winners Gallery.
Key dates
19 January 2009: Competition launch, and the website opens for registration.
1 May 2009: Deadline for submitting entries.
22 May 2009: Shortlisted winners notified.
26 June 2009: Film Show and Awards Ceremony day at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
Key contacts
Animation09 website
Enquiries: Animation09@cs.man.ac.uk
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Upcoming...
Big Science Read is coming towards its finale – and we’ve got some great author and writing events across Greater Manchester in the coming weeks. For instance, Chris Turney’s talking about his book “Ice, Mud and Blood: Lessons from Climates Past” and Michael Boulter’s exploring and explaining “Darwin’s Garden” as well, just in time for Darwin200.
You can find all the events on the BSR website - http://www.bigscienceread.org/events/ - along with the lists of books for you to vote for, and other information.
Hope to see you at an event and receive your vote soon!
You can find all the events on the BSR website - http://www.bigscienceread.org/events/ - along with the lists of books for you to vote for, and other information.
Hope to see you at an event and receive your vote soon!
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
National Science and Engineering Week (only 17 weeks to go)
For those of you who can't wait the 51 weeks for your next dose of science festival fun, it is only 17 weeks until National Science and Engineering Week. (Sorry, shameless bit of plugging!)
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and the Manchester Museum ran an information session for NSEW on Wednesday 29th October. The event was really well attended with quite a diverse audience; local school science teachers, science societies, students, researchers, along with representatives from a range of industries and businesses.
The evening was designed as an informal gathering which we hoped would spark a frenzy of idea generation and develop a support network for those people interested in becoming organisers for NSEW.
There were several presentations to get things going. The first was given by Joanna Rooke from the BA and provided a large amount of information regarding NSEW. Much of this information and the resources she promoted can be found at,
http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/Events/NSEW/
Following the presentations there was a nibbles-fuelled ideas/networking session. The cafe had a great buzz to it during this time and I am optimistic that collaborations were formed, ideas formulated and that NSEW 2009 is going to be the best yet.
Unfortunately there are no more information sessions planned in preparation for the 2009 event. However, it is not too late to get involved! Whoever you are, NSEW is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in science, engineering, technology and maths events. Any audience, any format, any topic (although the broad theme for 2009 is 'Change').
If you want any more information don't hesitate to get in touch with the BA through their website.
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and the Manchester Museum ran an information session for NSEW on Wednesday 29th October. The event was really well attended with quite a diverse audience; local school science teachers, science societies, students, researchers, along with representatives from a range of industries and businesses.
The evening was designed as an informal gathering which we hoped would spark a frenzy of idea generation and develop a support network for those people interested in becoming organisers for NSEW.
There were several presentations to get things going. The first was given by Joanna Rooke from the BA and provided a large amount of information regarding NSEW. Much of this information and the resources she promoted can be found at,
http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/Events/NSEW/
Following the presentations there was a nibbles-fuelled ideas/networking session. The cafe had a great buzz to it during this time and I am optimistic that collaborations were formed, ideas formulated and that NSEW 2009 is going to be the best yet.
Unfortunately there are no more information sessions planned in preparation for the 2009 event. However, it is not too late to get involved! Whoever you are, NSEW is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in science, engineering, technology and maths events. Any audience, any format, any topic (although the broad theme for 2009 is 'Change').
If you want any more information don't hesitate to get in touch with the BA through their website.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
The story so far, and more to come!
Already, we've (deep breath)...
...science busked in the station, been on telly, done some city walks, launched the Planet-Box art at the library, met Our Kid, told some stories, made a massive 3D mosaic, played with noisy toys, hung out at the Trafford Centre, done a Mensa test, learnt and used some BSL, talked about dystopian novels, heard about the behaviour of moths, seen evolutionary colour in action, hunted for aliens, and solved a crime in CSI Manchester!
But there's more, so much more...
Even in the next 48 hours you could (another deep breath)...
...debate state interventions in health decisions, take a sound tour, see some cartoon science, be a dinosaur detective, watch the Cosmic Africa film, find out where your mind is, bend it like Sparky, get a plant's view of the world, and do chemistry with cabbage!
To find out more simply search on the website for any of the above! And see you at something before the next big weekend, we hope?
...science busked in the station, been on telly, done some city walks, launched the Planet-Box art at the library, met Our Kid, told some stories, made a massive 3D mosaic, played with noisy toys, hung out at the Trafford Centre, done a Mensa test, learnt and used some BSL, talked about dystopian novels, heard about the behaviour of moths, seen evolutionary colour in action, hunted for aliens, and solved a crime in CSI Manchester!
But there's more, so much more...
Even in the next 48 hours you could (another deep breath)...
...debate state interventions in health decisions, take a sound tour, see some cartoon science, be a dinosaur detective, watch the Cosmic Africa film, find out where your mind is, bend it like Sparky, get a plant's view of the world, and do chemistry with cabbage!
To find out more simply search on the website for any of the above! And see you at something before the next big weekend, we hope?
Friday, 24 October 2008
Liquid nitrogen on the move!
Phew! After many months of preparation I have this afternoon finally left MOSI with an auditorium choc-full of exciting Chemistry demos ready for go tomorrow at the BSL Signs for Science Chemistry Demonstration at 11am.
It's been quite a feat to pull together this event (and its partner event BSL Signs for Science Finding New Science Terms at 2.30pm) and looking back to the start I can see that I underestimated how much work needs to go into planning a fully translated event. After what must rack up to about 3000 emails between about 10 people coordinating these two BSL events has been a bit like directing a fleet of slow-moving tankers. Not that I suggest my valued colleagues are slow-moving! Rather that there was so much to do and so many people to talk to, liaise and negotiate with in order for us to pull together all the pre-requisites for the events.
Of course there are the presenters to organize getting over to Manchester, but I've also needed to recruit a BSL translator and and electronic notetaker who can work on demand so that audience members can hear, see or read whatever language they work best with. We've needed to liaise heavily with MOSI to ensure the room is fully accessible and everyone is visible to everyone else (thanks Julie for all your help!) and we've also had to track down the equipment and chemicals needed for the event - a huge thank you to the University of Manchester Chemistry Department who have furnished us with everything we need at no expense to us.
It was a little hairy transporting the chemicals across town to MOSI but I had a helper (thanks Jenny!) and additional people at both ends to pack the car and we managed to make it safely to MOSI without any angry taxis driving into the back of us and freezing us all with a burst container of liquid nitrogen!
It has been hugely gratifying to get to the end of today and see everything set up ready to go tomorrow. I hope very much we get the mixed audience we are looking for tomorrow and that they all enjoy the events. These events are a part of something bigger - we need to be actively making public science events accessible to as many people as possible. Yes it's hard work, yes it can be expensive, but it is all worth it to enable everyone to share the wonder of science. Funders take note, we need more money to make as many events accessible to as many people as possible! And organizers, we need to be considering all kinds of people when planning our events to enable as many people as possible to attend. Even simple actions - a touch table here, a hearing loop there, or a bus to get people to the venue, can open up your event to a whole new world of people. It's time to share our expertise and maybe next year Manchester Science Festival, and our other events during the rest of the year, will be a sell-out to a diverse audience and we can confidently express satisfaction at having engaged new people with science.
It's been quite a feat to pull together this event (and its partner event BSL Signs for Science Finding New Science Terms at 2.30pm) and looking back to the start I can see that I underestimated how much work needs to go into planning a fully translated event. After what must rack up to about 3000 emails between about 10 people coordinating these two BSL events has been a bit like directing a fleet of slow-moving tankers. Not that I suggest my valued colleagues are slow-moving! Rather that there was so much to do and so many people to talk to, liaise and negotiate with in order for us to pull together all the pre-requisites for the events.
Of course there are the presenters to organize getting over to Manchester, but I've also needed to recruit a BSL translator and and electronic notetaker who can work on demand so that audience members can hear, see or read whatever language they work best with. We've needed to liaise heavily with MOSI to ensure the room is fully accessible and everyone is visible to everyone else (thanks Julie for all your help!) and we've also had to track down the equipment and chemicals needed for the event - a huge thank you to the University of Manchester Chemistry Department who have furnished us with everything we need at no expense to us.
It was a little hairy transporting the chemicals across town to MOSI but I had a helper (thanks Jenny!) and additional people at both ends to pack the car and we managed to make it safely to MOSI without any angry taxis driving into the back of us and freezing us all with a burst container of liquid nitrogen!
It has been hugely gratifying to get to the end of today and see everything set up ready to go tomorrow. I hope very much we get the mixed audience we are looking for tomorrow and that they all enjoy the events. These events are a part of something bigger - we need to be actively making public science events accessible to as many people as possible. Yes it's hard work, yes it can be expensive, but it is all worth it to enable everyone to share the wonder of science. Funders take note, we need more money to make as many events accessible to as many people as possible! And organizers, we need to be considering all kinds of people when planning our events to enable as many people as possible to attend. Even simple actions - a touch table here, a hearing loop there, or a bus to get people to the venue, can open up your event to a whole new world of people. It's time to share our expertise and maybe next year Manchester Science Festival, and our other events during the rest of the year, will be a sell-out to a diverse audience and we can confidently express satisfaction at having engaged new people with science.
Our Kid
Monday saw the launch of Nowgen's project, Our Kid, celebrating 60 years of the NHS.
As part of it, they've made an interactive exhibition stand, and also a graphic novel detailing the experiences of teenagers with restricted growth.
Next week, they're launching a series of free debates and talks around health - IVF, leukaemia, TB and MMR - and of course a chance to see Our Kid for yourself at Manchester's Central Library.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Big Science Read launch
Jodrell Bank will be running its second Literary Weekend 'First Move.2' on June 13th and 14th.During the weekend there's a chance to hear celebrated authors Brian Aldiss and Piers Bizony, build rockets and hear about the work of Jodrell Bank live from astronomers who work there. The weekend also marks the launch of the Big Science Read—an initiative to get people reading and talking about the exciting things that happen in Science and Science Fiction!
Friday 13th June
7.30pm: Award-winning science journalist and space historian Piers Bizony will talk about 'The Culture of Spaceflight' in our 'Hot Spot' Pavilion. He is the author of The Man Who Ran the Moon, Atom, Space50 and How to Build Your Own Space Ship, amongst others.
Saturday 14th June
1.30pm: Rocket Workshop: Come and find out how rockets work—and see how far you can make yours fly! This workshop is free of charge, but places are limited. Please call 01477 571339 to book.
7.30pm: Celebrated Science Fiction Author Brian Aldiss will talk about 'Science and Civilisation' in our 'Hot Spot' Pavilion. He is the author of books too numerous to list here, but 'A Science Fiction Omnibus' came out in November last year and stormed the Science Fiction charts.
The bar will be open each evening from 7pm and there will be an opportunity to ask the authors questions about their work after their talks. There will also be a book-signing at the end of the events. Tickets are £5.00 per person per event and are available from Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre by calling 01477 571339.
The weekend marks the launch of the Big Science Read in collaboration with the Manchester Science Festival and the Manchester Literature Festival. This is an opportunity for people of all ages to explore, re-discover and get excited about science-themed books.
The bookshop for the weekend will be Simply Books in Bramhall. First Move.2 is in association with The Times Books. The Hot Spot Pavilion is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
It's not all over...
Oh yes it is! Oh no it isn't!
There's loads still to do from Monday 29 Oct until Sunday 4 Nov!
For a start almost all the exhbitions continue to be on display across the city, and there are all sorts of wonderful and weird activities at MoSI, plus a fab show about forces at Touchstones Rochdale.
See the website for more info!
There's loads still to do from Monday 29 Oct until Sunday 4 Nov!
For a start almost all the exhbitions continue to be on display across the city, and there are all sorts of wonderful and weird activities at MoSI, plus a fab show about forces at Touchstones Rochdale.
See the website for more info!
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Jurassic Park! On the big screen!
So, apart from the beers, I also got to indulge in another personal passion in the name of work yesterday - sitting in a darkened room with 50 others, watching Jurassic Park on the big screen!
Having not seen it for about a decade, I'd forgotten how many great lines Jeff Goldblum gets in this wonderfully put together film. For instance I love Dr. Ian "I'm a chaos mathematician" Malcolm's line - "God help us; we're in the hands of engineers."
But I still think this might be his best:
"God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs..."
Completed by Ellie's riposte, "Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth..."
technorati tag: manchester science festival, jurassic park
Having not seen it for about a decade, I'd forgotten how many great lines Jeff Goldblum gets in this wonderfully put together film. For instance I love Dr. Ian "I'm a chaos mathematician" Malcolm's line - "God help us; we're in the hands of engineers."
But I still think this might be his best:
"God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs..."
Completed by Ellie's riposte, "Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth..."
technorati tag: manchester science festival, jurassic park
Festival beers!
Yep, that's supposed to be plural!
There is already the wonderful "Joule's Gold" (above), but last night, 40 of us crammed into the upstairs room of The Briton's Protection to hear James Sumner's talk about science, beer and pubs in history. He whisked us through 350 thrilling years of brewing, excise, pubs and ale in just under two hours (with a pint pit-stop en route)!
Probably the first and last time I'll legitimately timesheet and get paid for drinking beer in one of my favourite watering holes!!
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Monday, 22 October 2007
Things to look out for: Mon, Tues, Wed
You can see a daily diary of what's on at the calendar on the website, but here are some things to fit in if you can!
MONDAY
A Cafe Sci tonight on facts, information and belief
A lecture this evening demonstrating how and why molecules are magnetic and what it could mean for the future
TUESDAY
A very special IMAX screening of 3D Aliens of the Deep
Murder and mystery at MoSI - try solving the forensic clues in this CSI Manchester workshop
The first of two Acoustics and Architecture tours at The Bridgewater Hall
A chance to find out of the Stradivarius string sound is a myth or reality
WEDNESDAY
Toys and a chance to meet a scientist at the Arndale Market
A once-in-a-festival chance to see Speilberg's dinos run riot on the big screen
Johnny Ball's talk and demo about the history of science in the NW
And not one, but two, flash bang demos
And after all that, the chance to put your feet up and have a well-earned rest with a pint!
ALL WEEK
A series of lectures on genetics and faces at Nowgen, with a free lunch - every day, 12-1.30
The Big Science Draw all week at Manchester Museum
More than we can list here at MoSI every day - pick up a daily leaflet from the Information Desk on arrival.
And of course there's all the ongoing exhibitions at MoSI, CUBE, Whitworth, Nowgen, and more...
technorati tag: manchester science festival
MONDAY
A Cafe Sci tonight on facts, information and belief
A lecture this evening demonstrating how and why molecules are magnetic and what it could mean for the future
TUESDAY
A very special IMAX screening of 3D Aliens of the Deep
Murder and mystery at MoSI - try solving the forensic clues in this CSI Manchester workshop
The first of two Acoustics and Architecture tours at The Bridgewater Hall
A chance to find out of the Stradivarius string sound is a myth or reality
WEDNESDAY
Toys and a chance to meet a scientist at the Arndale Market
A once-in-a-festival chance to see Speilberg's dinos run riot on the big screen
Johnny Ball's talk and demo about the history of science in the NW
And not one, but two, flash bang demos
And after all that, the chance to put your feet up and have a well-earned rest with a pint!
ALL WEEK
A series of lectures on genetics and faces at Nowgen, with a free lunch - every day, 12-1.30
The Big Science Draw all week at Manchester Museum
More than we can list here at MoSI every day - pick up a daily leaflet from the Information Desk on arrival.
And of course there's all the ongoing exhibitions at MoSI, CUBE, Whitworth, Nowgen, and more...
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Festival madness...
We're in full festival swing! Everything seems to be going well and it seems very busy everywhere I've been so far.
Some highlights so far:
The IOP walk is now available to get as an MP3 to dowload from Science Places
Getting a picture and piece on the backpage of "Things to do this week" in The Guardian Family section
There's Bluetooth messages and science busking at Manchester Piccadilly station this morning, Tuesday and Wednesday (this pic was taken this morning)
SOLD OUT
Please note that the following events are already full: An Audience with Sir Bernard Lovell, and tomorrow night's Facing Up To Addiction debate.
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Some highlights so far:
The IOP walk is now available to get as an MP3 to dowload from Science Places
Getting a picture and piece on the backpage of "Things to do this week" in The Guardian Family section
There's Bluetooth messages and science busking at Manchester Piccadilly station this morning, Tuesday and Wednesday (this pic was taken this morning)
SOLD OUT
Please note that the following events are already full: An Audience with Sir Bernard Lovell, and tomorrow night's Facing Up To Addiction debate.
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Thursday, 18 October 2007
nearly here!
We do hope that you’ve started to notice the build up to the festival throughout the city – the IOP’s physics facts bus posters, our own six trailblazer events (all sadly finished now), plenty of press coverage and our radio campaign, the special Bluetooth messages being beamed out to mobiles at Piccadilly station and MoSI, and much more besides!...
So, in the relative calm before the storm, we thought we’d give the lowdown on some exciting upcoming events!
This is just a selection of the events running between 20-28 October at venues across Greater Manchester – do check the website for the full list.
Some suggestions of things to do this weekend (Sat 20 and Sun 21):
Find out about the science of cartoon capers and heroes at the Odeon (Saturday only)
See singing sands and the Face of Manchester at the Museum of Science and Industry
Go on a science city walk, starting from Manchester Museum
See you there?
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Monday, 15 October 2007
Less than a week to go!
It's less than a week to go until we launch! There's a lot that's been done and a lot more still to do...
Firstly, thanks to the Lit Fest and all the Doctor Who contributors who turned out for yesterday's sold out trailblazer on science fiction/ fact. It was a fabulous event - despite the air con/ heating breaking!
Also we've just been tipped off about a great new website to support the film "Earth". Go and have a look!
The Bluetooth broadcasting has started - in Piccadilly station and at MoSI. In both locations, we're sending out trivia messages and festival info, a different message every hour each day! Make sure you enable your Bluetooth function to receive them.
And tomorrow is our last trailblazer - Cafe RSA on the topic "Science hearts Art". See you there?
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Firstly, thanks to the Lit Fest and all the Doctor Who contributors who turned out for yesterday's sold out trailblazer on science fiction/ fact. It was a fabulous event - despite the air con/ heating breaking!
Also we've just been tipped off about a great new website to support the film "Earth". Go and have a look!
The Bluetooth broadcasting has started - in Piccadilly station and at MoSI. In both locations, we're sending out trivia messages and festival info, a different message every hour each day! Make sure you enable your Bluetooth function to receive them.
And tomorrow is our last trailblazer - Cafe RSA on the topic "Science hearts Art". See you there?
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Monday, 8 October 2007
Gecko alert!
Look out for this little fella hanging around on some of the city's buses, with thanks to the guys from the IOP...
technorati tag: manchester science festival
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Other things to look out for during the festival…
A new Salford REdGENERATION nail varnish on sale at festival outlets
A project collecting your ‘Favourite Manchester Sounds’ aiming to discover what Mancunians think about their city’s soundscape and to reveal the Manchester of the ear
A city-wide pub quiz with Manchester Food and Drink Festival
Lots of other workshops, talks, shows, activities and events at the Museum of Science and Industry – there are just too many to list here!
Bluetooth messages broadcasting festival information in key locations
“Joule’s Gold”, our festival beer, made by Paradise Brewery, on sale at their stall in the Arndale Market and other select locations
Busloads of physics as the cities buses play host to a Manchester-exclusive poster campaign
The Josh Award for Science Communication
A special IMAX short showing only at the Odeon in the Printworks
A chance to get together with other “fizz-ics” readers because of Richard Hammond’s book “Can you feel the force?”
Some fantastic science busking and tricks at a variety of locations throughout the festival
Murder, mystery and crime-solving at the Museum of Science and Industry
Books and posters by 1001 Inventions being sold through festival outlets
And the festival fun doesn’t stop at midnight on the 28 October. Oh no. We know some of you are on half-term the week after so we’ve laid on some special events and activities just for you – check the MOSI website for things happening between 29 Oct - 4 Nov!
For all of these and more check the festival website when it goes live later this month - Manchester Science Festival
technorati tag: manchester science festival
A project collecting your ‘Favourite Manchester Sounds’ aiming to discover what Mancunians think about their city’s soundscape and to reveal the Manchester of the ear
A city-wide pub quiz with Manchester Food and Drink Festival
Lots of other workshops, talks, shows, activities and events at the Museum of Science and Industry – there are just too many to list here!
Bluetooth messages broadcasting festival information in key locations
“Joule’s Gold”, our festival beer, made by Paradise Brewery, on sale at their stall in the Arndale Market and other select locations
Busloads of physics as the cities buses play host to a Manchester-exclusive poster campaign
The Josh Award for Science Communication
A special IMAX short showing only at the Odeon in the Printworks
A chance to get together with other “fizz-ics” readers because of Richard Hammond’s book “Can you feel the force?”
Some fantastic science busking and tricks at a variety of locations throughout the festival
Murder, mystery and crime-solving at the Museum of Science and Industry
Books and posters by 1001 Inventions being sold through festival outlets
And the festival fun doesn’t stop at midnight on the 28 October. Oh no. We know some of you are on half-term the week after so we’ve laid on some special events and activities just for you – check the MOSI website for things happening between 29 Oct - 4 Nov!
For all of these and more check the festival website when it goes live later this month - Manchester Science Festival
technorati tag: manchester science festival
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