Latest news

While you’re waiting for this year's BIG Event conference programme to unfurl, here’s something to whet your appetite:
Wednesdays get bigger - This year for the first time the BIG Event will run for a full three days, starting with a day dedicated to providing delegates with resources to expand their portfolio of activities including:
Getting sponsorship for the very first time: top 10 tips to help you understand how to approach companies to raise between £500 and £5,000 for a local project.
Marketing on a shoestring: hints and tips on how to market your event, centre or service at very low (or no) cost.
Smarter UK training: a half-day workshop that GIVES you all the resources and training to run a new facilitated discussion session for schools. Smarter UK comes to you fully developed with teachers’ resources for your organisation to incorporate into its schools offer. Smarter UK is devised by Graphic Science and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

As part of BIG's role in promoting excellence in science communication we are pleased to announce our upcoming skills day:

People Power... the Science of Engaging Audiences.

Our one-day course will concentrate on explaining, exploring and workshopping, audience interaction and volunteer engagement techniques. This course enables even the most experienced of presenters to enhance their science demonstrations by making the most out of their audience contributions.

The day is split into a series of practical and theoretical challenges, which help participants practice techniques whilst allowing them to explore their application to their own specific presentations and workshops.

Date: Monday 2nd April
Venue: At-Bristol Science Centre, Bristol
Cost: £40 for BIG Members (includes refreshments and lunch)

Non-members will need to join BIG first to participate, at a cost of £30 for annual membership.

Register here: www.big.uk.com/events

Prices for this year's BIG Event are as frozen as the roads! Conference fees are the same as 2011 and the "early bird" rate returns! Register and pay before 31 March to get a full £50 off! And if that's not exciting enough, this year the conference will be held over THREE FULL DAYS!

Call for session proposals is now open! If you have an idea for a conference session, please click on www.big.uk.com/bigevent and get your form in before 3rd Feb!

The 2012 BIG Event is heading North to the fabulous National Railway Museum in York! Join STEM colleagues from across the sector on 25-27 July 2012. A call for session proposals will be announced in the New Year so get planning and start making links with other organisations to make this a truly skills-sharing experience.

Our upcoming skills day, to be held in London on 17th October is a one-day course focusing on stagecraft skills specifically for those who regularly present science demonstrations to the public. Spaces are limited to 15 participants - so book early! £45 for BIG Members.
www.big.uk.com/events

Not everything BIG does is BIG. Sometimes the little things matter too, and we announce the return of The Little Event to Thinktank in Birmingham on Monday 5th September. And we have 10 bursaries available to cover your costs! Aimed at those relatively new to STEM communication, it’s a lot like the BIG Event, but a bit smaller, and all crammed into one busy day. There will be 4 sessions, each focusing on developing a different skill, delivered by experienced science communicators following our usual hands-on approach.

www.big.uk.com/little

"What's going on in his head?" is an exciting addition to the BIG Event programme. At the end of January, James Piercy was involved in a car accident. Find out where he is on the road to recovery and what he's learned along the way. With scary pictures, some swearing and even a few laughs the show is James' thanks to the BIG community for its support and a way of explaining any unusual behaviour you might witness!

BIG is seeking members for a position on the Executive Committee. If you think you have something to offer us and to get a lot back in return, please visit www.big.uk.com/agm. The closing date for nominations is 1st July and all positions will be subject to an online vote by members.

We are pleased to announce that the Visitor Studies Group's summer seminar has been arranged to coincide with the first morning of the BIG Event - and delegates can join the seminar for the concession rate of just £30.
 
Wednesday 20th July 2011 - 9.45am - 2.00pm
Find out how Visitor Studies have informed the development of two new exhibitions, visit the galleries and discuss new methods in an interactive workshop.
•Join in on a tour of the newly-opened M-Shed and discover the formative work conducted in process of redeveloping this important local museum.
•View a showcase of the formative work undertaken in the development of 60 interactive exhibits for At-Bristol’s All About Us exhibition.
•Share your latest and most innovative Visitor Studies tools and techniques in a creative workshop. Bring along an example of a tool, device or question that you’ve recently discovered to discuss in the workshop.
 
You can find out more and register online: http://www.visitors.org.uk/node/434

Or register for the BIG Event here: www.big.uk.com/bigevent