From the Chair

Perpetuating Gillian's tradition, my first words from the Chair are written at the airport: Friday evening, Calcutta...

Readers whose interactive careers stretch back ten years or more might well agree with Bhagwant Singh's accusation: 'Melanie, you¹re the cause of BIG!' (It's arguable, and certainly a convoluted story, so I'll spare you now and save it for the pub at Herstmonceux!) Guilty or innocent, I feel a complicated mixture of honour and delight at having been elected by January's AGM.

A clear goal for Y2K is to raise BIG's profile internationally, building on the last Committee's steps in that direction and juggling my ECSITE hat. That goes hand-in-hand with making BIG a louder voice on the UK scene. One measure of 'success' will be the variety of participants at the BIG Event ­ from arts and sciences, exhibits and programmes, British and overseas, Explainers through Directors. Please beat the drum, spread the word, and invite friends, colleagues and contacts to join in ­ and enjoy ­ the stimulating exchange of ideas and experiences that's the hallmark of the BIG Event.

So why Calcutta? Well, in February, four UK delegates (all BIG members) travelled there to meet museum directors of the Indian National Council of Science Museums. Together we laid foundations for an Indo-UK festival of science, designed to tour India in 2002. In July this year, four Indian delegates will visit UK science centres, and ­ yes! ­ will come to learn, share and network at the BIG Event. Drama will be a significant component of the Indian festival, so both shows and exhibits will be high on their agenda.

Confucius he say: "From one flight, BIG ripples spread" :-)

Newsletter Spring 2000 Contents

New exhibitions > Opening dates for UK exhibitions | New Yorkshire Centre | Young builders | Number exhibition | What's wrong with the Millennium Dome?

News > Canadian Director for Eureka | Design in education Week | The 'Race against time' show pack | Indo-UK Science Festival | From the editor | From the chair

BIG Annual Report 1999 > Chair's Report | Treasurers Report | Membership Report