There’s no rest for the wicked here at the British Science Association (BSA) - science stops for no-one! Now that another British Science Festival is done and dusted, we’re looking ahead to next year’s hotly anticipated British Science Week (BSW), taking place from 10-19 March 2017.
BSW is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. It features fascinating, entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK for people of all ages. Last year there were over 5000 events that reached a whopping 1.6 million people.
Everyone and anyone can organise an event or activity; your idea can be as simple or bold as you like. We’ve even got activity packs that you can download for inspiration. However, sometimes you might need a little more than inspiration, as running an event can come with costs. To help you along and make sure everyone has the chance to get involved, you can apply for a special grant to put towards funding your event. Schools, community groups and BSA branches are all eligible – so let your imagination run wild with the possibilities!
Our grants have been a lifeline in previous years, having provided people with opportunities they may not have had without it.
Let’s take a look at what you can do with a BSW grant…
- Become an actor or actress
In 2015, the team at the Museum of Cannock Chase ran a specialist drama workshop for young people, allowing them to explore the importance of science and engineering in the building of the World War 1 trenches. You too could run a drama workshop based around a science theme – how about re-enactment of the Moon landing? Or a play based on Jurassic Park?
- Meet world-renowned experts
What started as a holiday club has now turned into a weekly science club. Carmel Britto runs the LPF Kiddies Club and applied for a grant last year to run a science fair. Due to the fair’s incredible success, she is now developing weekly science clubs where children can meet “real experts” who will deliver fascinating workshops, opening up the possibilities for young people to meet an array of inspiring role models.
- Get active
Proving the point that science is not just something to be done in the lab, a group of Oldham community organisations organised activities for the local football and boxing clubs, based around the science of sport. You too can do this as it can be applied to any sport and done in all weathers – no excuses! Understanding the science behind sport may even make you better at them, which could give you a great advantage at your next match…
- Go on a boat trip
You don’t have to stay put to explore science – you can go out and find it anywhere. A social enterprise called WellFit, who work at helping people to “feel happier and healthier”, treated an intergenerational group to a trip on a 120-year-old boat. The journey even took them across the highest aqueduct in England, showing the endless possibilities and places that a grant could take you.
- Throw a birthday party
The OASIS community centre in Nottinghamshire proved that science really is a part of our everyday culture. They inspired parents to throw science birthday parties, where science activities were done in replace of traditional party games. These went down a storm and are due to be permanently rolled out by OASIS in the future.
So, has this list inspired you? These are just a snapshot of the various ways you can spend a British Science Week Community Grant. The payoff in knowledge, enjoyment and community spirit is seen country-wide every year.
Apply for your grant today and be part of British Science Week 2017: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/about-us/grants/