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Despite considerable agreement that engaging science communication can stimulate interest in formal STEM study and careers; only relatively few providers report these outcomes. Given that insufficient young people are choosing to study STEM subjects and that the profile of those who do pursue STEM careers is too narrow, we are challenging three very different providers of informal science communication to measure the impact of their work. To do this our speakers will consider how science communicators can build sustainable business models that successfully balance impact and values against the need for funding and we will question if the sector is hampered by a perception that the only credible communicators of science are active researchers. Facilitator: Tim Slingsby (British Council) Speakers: Wendy Sadler (science made simple), Jonathan Longfellow (Mad Science East Midlands), Eduardo Sáenz de Cabezón (The Big Van Theory)
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How Informal Science Education Can Better Inform
STEM Education
Wendy SadlerJonathan LongfellowEduardo de CabezónFacilitator: Tim Slingsby
#SciComm14Edu #SciComm14
Uk’s largest independent science outreach company (est. 2002)
13 staff across four regions of the UK – 26 countries
Reaching 70,000 each year – 500,000 since we began
An award winning* social enterprise – and limited company
*Royal Academy Engineering Medal for the promotion of Engineering
*EU Descartes Prize Innovation in Science Communication
*and some others….
who are we?
@scimadesimple
science made simple is working towards a world in which STEM subjects are perceived as culturally vital
and enriching activities which can be shared by all sections of the community
vision
to inspireinspire the next generation of scientists and engineers
to engageengage a wider public with STEM as part of popular culture
to translatetranslate STEM research for the public
our mission
@scimadesimple
do we evaluate…?
of all SMS audiences are asked@scimadesimple
3%
@scimadesimple
“Engineering I thought was to do with machines and I thought it would be a boring
job, but now I think I might be one.”
10 year old girl@scimadesimple
Who is the customer?
balancing our business model
@scimadesimple
UK
What we are….
• 7 owners dedicated science communicators from varied backgrounds….
• Moral backbone / social good• Operating since 2006
What we are….
What we are….
• 320000 children in 2013• 62 full time employees • 305 part time
• Consistent growth
What we are….
• focused on getting children interested and inspired by science – ‘the world around them’
What we are….
• positive role models for children in schools
• trying to positively affect all children’s lives
What we are….
• interested and investing heavily in the long term• repeat business is everything – we
tend not to suffer from legacy issues • continually evolving developing new ideas linked to contemporary science themes
How do we do it ….
• driven by customer needs and dependent on their satisfaction
• Continuous monitoring of customer feedback
• Feedback drives change or assures we are on track
Who are our customers?
• Parents 70% • Great thing about our product
is that it is win:win
• Schools • Businesses• Councils/Government
• We don’t exist because of grants – though we do like them
What is our product?
•Focused on training, development and assessment of our team of presenters •We are a training company •Deliver an effect
What we are….
• Predominantly children <14
Science Education in Europe:Critical ReflectionsA Report to the Nuffield FoundationJonathan OsborneJustin DillonKing’s College London 2008
@TheBigVanTheoy @edusad
ciwww.thebigvantheory.com
WHO ARE WE?
WHAT DO WE DO?
WHO IS OUR AUDIENCE?
WHO PAYS US?
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
WHAT IS OUR GOAL?
ARE WE SUCCESSFUL?
OTHER PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
@TheBigVanTheory @edusadeci
www.thebigvantheory.com
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