BIG Event 2003 Programme

Finished: Thursday 10th to Sat 12th July 2003
at The Observatory, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex

Thursday 10th July: 10am to 5pm

Keynote speaker
Rt Hon Charles Clarke, Minister for Education

Forest Schools
Originally a Danish idea, they operate on the principle that children of all ages can benefit greatly from the learning opportunities inherently present in a woodland environment. After a break you will then go out into the woodland surrounding Herstmonceux to try them for yourselves.

ECSITE-UK: Review, and fast-forward to new directions
The sciZmic clubs and Meet-the-Scientist events will be reviewed by those at the sharp, 'delivery' end. Then the floor's open - to examine achievements to date in meetings with the Government and the network's plans for the future

Cartoon Science Brainstorm
Have you noticed how the traditional laws of physics don't seem to apply in the cartoon world? Have you ever thought 'There's a show in that!'? Well, here's your chance.

Under-represented Audiences In Science
How can you reach those difficult audiences?

Presenter Training Workshop
This session is for anyone who either presents interactive shows or helps to train presenters to share their experiences and ideas about presenter training.

Robo-Festa Show, plus several other shows tbc

Soap Box
Sign Up to talk for 5 minutes on any topic you feel is important.

Evening
Dinner Dancing and Salsa in the castle ballroom.

Friday 11th July: 10am to 6.30pm

Ken Campbell
Ken Campbell will be running a session on ventriloquism as guest of Honour.

Interactives - The answer to all your problems?
Convenors: Regan Forrest, Haley Sharpe Design Speakers:Kate Pontin, Museum Education Consultant, Henry Lowe, Director, Tourwest Ltd
The success of interactivity in recent years means that it is becoming more and more widespread. Interactives are now found in places and contexts almost unheard of just a few years ago. Will the fortunes of the interactive keep climbing, or is it past its zenith? Are people going 'interactive' for the right reasons? How does interactivity relate to more traditional interpretation - are they friends or adversaries?

Freelancing, The Taxman and the Law - or how to have fun, stay out of Jail, and Save Money working for yourself
Speaker: Richard Ellam
Convenor: Natalie Ford
Freelance work can be a liberating experience, but when you work for yourself you are responsible for all those boring things like income tax, insurance and health and safety that your employer used to take care of. If you get them wrong mistakes can be expensive, time consuming to put right, and if you get it really badly wrong you could end up doing time. Lots of practical help and pointers to where you can get further information on the topics covered, which will include: When is a Freelance not a Freelance?, Tax, NI (and VAT), Insurance, Data Protection, and Health and Safety.

Making Exchange
Convenor: Sue Brumpton
Share ideas suitable for making during Family activities. Make Jumping Beans, Cornflower Creatures and much more. Please bring projects and materials with you.

Out of School Activities
Convenor: Belinda
Hints, tips and ideas and a chance to hear some successful case studies.

BIG AGM
Come stand for the Exec! Debate the future of BIG, where we should hold the 2004 event and suggest other activities we could run throughout the year. What should we do about the Services Directory and does anyone want to volunteer to run Fabricators Week. Finally, what should we do in January now the AGM has moved to July? All this and more may be answered.

Best Demo Competition
A prestigious international Roll and telescope tours competition to find the best 3 minute demo on any topic. Previous winners include the recipe for a comet, spaghetti DNA and testing suntan lotion with a gin & tonic.

The Really Gross Show & several other shows tbc

Evening
Wok 'n' Roll & Telescope Tours

Sat 12th July: 10am - 3pm

Drop In Sessions in Public Places
Convenor: Mike Dennis
A great way to engage new audiences is to set up hands-on activities in shopping centres, garden centres and market squares. The Oxford Trust has now been taking their Science & Maths Shop out for several years. This involves a range of simple experiments and ideas that attract passers by. There will also be a chance to see activities taken out by others including Techniquest and some travelling puzzles set up by Richard Ellam.

Non Didactic Interactivity - Speaker: Andrew Shoben
Convenor: Richard Glassborough
Andrew Shoben founded Greyworld in Paris, in 1993. Moving to London in 1995, their goal is to create works that articulate public spaces, allowing some form of self-expression in areas of the city that people see every day but normally exclude and ignore. Greyworld have exhibited their work around the world, with permanent installations in twelve countries. This year, they will be unveiling several new installations in Liverpool, New York and Shanghai.

Explainers Forum
A chance for Explainers and front of house staff to network and share information.

Show: Much Ado About Nothing

Egg Drop Challenge
One final interactive challenge to stimulate your brains before going home.