Update 18, January 2007

What contributions are science centres and museums making in your community? What best-practice approaches by science centres and museums make a difference to important government agendas such as increasing young people's interest in science careers or communicating challenging science topics to the public? This is a monthly update on a project focusing on such questions in the APEC region.

World Conference on Science and Technology Education, Perth, Australia 8 - 12 July 2007

A valuable networking and sharing opportunity in one conference encompassing:

• ICASE 2007 (Conference of the International Council of Associations for Science Education)
• CONASTA 56 (Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association)
• CONSTAWA (Conference of the Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia)
• PRISSEM (Conference of Primary Science Teachers)
• Laboratory Technicians
• Science Education advisors, officers and researchers

The conference themes are wide ranging covering education for sustainable development; world health; science for life and citizenship; and the way forward which will discuss educational directions and priorities. The conference website has more details.

Museums the key to Britain’s successful ‘creative economy’

A new report (4.6 MB, pdf) by Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, has found that museums and galleries in Britain are “...fulfilling their original [intended] functions, while also acting as institutions of learning, mass tourist attractions and civic partners.”

The report, “Museums and Galleries in Britain: Economic, Social and Creative Impacts”, outlines the economic impacts, civic functions and the contributions of museums and galleries to the creativity and educational performance of Britain.

While it does outline the many positive aspects of these British institutions, the report also points out the potentially negative and limiting factors that threaten their positive contribution.

These factors could parallel situations found in institutions in other regions; and provide a timely reminder about the importance of ensuring ongoing commitment and support for the science centre and museum sector, and the benefits they bring to the community.

International Polar Year - engaging your community in climate change

1st March, 2007 is the official launch date for International Polar Year (IPY), which will run until 2009. (“Why two years?” you ask? To allow both poles, the Arctic and the Antarctic, to get full coverage.)

Science centres and museums from around the world are planning, or already conducting, programmes and activities to engage their local communities in climate change issues through Project IGLO. Collaborations are encouraged to ensure that IPY is a truly global event.

Questacon is preparing an initiative specifically for the communities, science centres and scientists in the Asia Pacific region. More information will be included in the next update.

New on our website

For a summary of what’s new on the website each month, check on the main news page of the site.

Contact

APEC Science Centre Impact Project Secretariat
Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
King Edward Terrace, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
E apecproject@questacon.edu.au