Ignition* Newsletter Summer 2010

Creative Sparks

Having secured 6 of our 15 Creative Sparks, we are still on the lookout for 9 more. Having seen the fantastic developments in our current Creative Sparks, we are excited to find more creativity across the region, in young people aged between 14-21. We have further information and nomination forms available on our website, in the Creative Sparks section. Alternatively, for more information or queries, please contact Sarah on Sarah@ignitefutures.org.uk.

Lab 13

The search is back on . . . we have opened the round for Lab 13 expressions of interest. We have funding to support three new Lab 13’s, which can be integrated into primary, secondary or special schools. For more information, please visit the Ignition* website, where the expression of interest form and information can be downloaded. The closing date for expressions of interest is 21st May 2010.

STEM Fluency Lab

Following a fantastic STEM Fluency Lab reunion, we are all feeling very enthused about the next Lab. We will be recruiting 20 more teachers from across the region and phases to take part in our creative PAL Lab run STEM Fluency Lab this November. Teachers and creative practitioners spend five days developing their creative practice, reflecting on their current ways of teaching, and investigating new ways to bring STEM subjects to life through creative and innovative teaching. For more information, or to express your interest in this year’s STEM Fluency Lab, please check out our website, or e-mail amy@ignitefutures.org.uk for further information.

Invent!

Its invention time again! Thinking caps on, we have 5 categories this year: ‘A device to take an aerial photograph’, ‘Pop a balloon with a flick’, ‘A problem solved . . .’, ‘New age transport’ and, back by popular demand, ‘The recycled orchestra’. The Invent! poster is available to download from our Invent! page on the website, and if you have an idea already, download the entry pack to get the ball rolling (to hopefully make the balloon pop!). Deadline for the competition is 28th May, and shortlisted entries will be invited to the Summer Invent! event, to be held at Snibston, Leicestershire.

Ignition* grows. . .

The Ignition* team has grown! We have been joined by Hasmita Chavda, a former Prime Minister's Global Fellow, who is joining us as an intern. Hasmita, who finished her A Levels last summer, is taking a year out before University, and gaining some experience in creative Science Communication through her time with us in the Ignition* team.

Conference fever

The Ignition* team have a busy few months coming up, with at least a conference a month until Christmas! First was the International Educational Tools for Success, which was held in Louisiana. Rick Hall and Sarah Walley were there representing Ignition* on an international level. Following that, Ignition* will be present at the Science Communication conference, where Hasmita will be taking the stage as a presenter. Rick Hall has just returned from the Going Global conference, where he and one of the young Ignite! board members presented a session on My Space, My City, My World and the opportunities that it carries to engage young people in global issues.

Come Alive with Science 2010

Following another very successful year, Come Alive with Science 2010 draws to an end. We have seen some sensational activities, from bicycles generating enough enrergy to power a band marathon, to stop-frame animation videos, to a theatre production of the history of medicine! We will have a comprehensive guide of what happened, along with films and photographs on our website soon, and will be starting to recruit both new and existing schools for next year's Come Alive with Science from June onwards.

Survival Rivals update

We are all very excited about the Survival Rivals competition, and hoping to get some fantastic entries from our East Midlands schools. With a trip to the Galapagos up for grabs as the main prize, and Science TV workshops and filming kit for 12 runners up, it is certainly a competition worth entering! Using the Survival Rivals kits, simply upload either a short film, or up to 12 images to the Survival Rivals competition site to be in with a chance of winning! Deadline is 21st May.