BIG Annual Report 1997

Retiring Chair’s Report

Steve Pizzey

Some time ago I commented in the newsletter that important changes to hands-on science would be brought about by two developments; the world wide web and the influx of the lottery millions.

With regards to the web it has become so commonplace that it is hardly noticeable, but undoubtedly a useful tool for research and as a result of the BIG website, more is known of our activities. It is interesting how many people visit - if only we could get them all to join!

The influence of the lottery funds is certainly being felt, particularly the heritage funding for interpretative exhibitions for museum collections, this is bringing the hands-on approach to museums and through them the visiting public. The millennium funded projects are beginning to be developed. The moneys involved are huge compared with the budgets normally encountered and tend to swamp any other local initiatives but from the BIG membership point of view, there are superb career opportunities and a chance to produce some wonderful exhibits and exhibitions although precious little time. And of course there will be that wonderful dome........Peter Mandelson, BIG is waiting to hear from you.

The BIG event at Herstmonceux Science Centre will, I hope, start a tradition of ever better events which act as a showcase for what is new and imaginative in the field. The shows and demonstrations presented at last years event were of a high quality and set the standards to beat. I will be signing off as chair at this AGM and would like to thank all those who have supported our work and the diligent and hardworking committee that made it happen.

Membership Secretary’s Report

Alistair Flett

Total number of members for 1997 was 158 of whom 104 were members in 1996.

At the end of June 1997 we had 132 members. Hence we can probably attribute 26 members to the BIG Event. This compares with 145 members in 1996. This is a fairly healthy situation but we should try to keep growing and aim to retain as many members as possible.

Treasurer’s Report

Ian Thilthorpe

The corrected accounts for 1997 are as below.

Balance Jan 1997 £4057.77

Income
Membership £2,245.00
AGM £542.00
Big Event £5,030.00
Products/Services £260.00
Interest £76.02
Misc £60.00
Total £8,213.02

Expenditure
Newsletter £521.15
Postage £204.65
Newsletter Winter 96 £582.88
Products/services £142.00
Centres guide £165.00
Directory £856.64
BIG event £2828.41
AGM £435.33
Misc £241.45
Total £5977.51

Balance Dec 97 £6293.28

Newsletter Spring 1998 Contents

Centres > Satrosphere News | What is happening to Light on Science? | Inspire News | Herstmonceux News

Exhibits > BIG working group on exhibit development | What is Design? | Exhibit Aphorisms | "Here's Looking at Euclid" - exhibit idea | Roald Dahl and the Children's Gallery | Are hybrids best? - viewpoint

Demonstrations and shows > Shows at the Exploratory | Exploding Can Demonstration | Water to wine Demonstration | Nitrogen story - urban myth?

Millennium News > More Millennium Grants | Pantechniques rewarded | Millennium awards scheme | A listing of interactive projects funded by lottery grants

Research > Measuring the performance of interactive centres

Resources and conferences > Conferences and Future Events | Indian Science Congress Report | Managing Science Centres Book Review | Children's Museums Book information

BIG > BIG Moves - From the Chair | BIG AGM Report | BIG Annual Report 1997