Development Grants

Copus received 70 applications for Copus Development Grants in 2001, requesting a total sum of over £2,000,000. We made 8 awards, totalling £233,060.

Please note that the funding priorities that these projects were asssessed against differs from the funding priorities for the current Copus Grant Schemes. In particular, please note that we no longer fund projects within the formal education system.

Introduction

To provide young people, particularly of African Caribbean and Mixed Heritage origin with awareness and better understanding of scientific principles through participatory projects and a well resourced Science Drop in Centre.

Further information: to follow

Introduction

The creation and installation of four touchscreen computer stations which will demonstrate to the public the scientific principles involved in the Museum's collection of Moving Toys.

Project implementation

The Museum’s Curators and Exhibitions Manager selected forty representative moving toys, mainly from the Museum’s collections. The Museum worked in partnership with Spiral Productions, a specialist exhibition company. The toys were photographed, filmed and researched by Spiral and the Museum staff.

The Moving and Optical Toys Gallery was redisplayed to position objects to be in proximity to the touchscreen stations, and to establish a science and design and technology focus through new text and graphics.
One touchscreen was installed as a pilot, and evaluated using visitors to the museum. The results of this formative evaluation were incorporated into the final touchscreens and the website version, which were launched in December 2003.

Outcomes

An evaluation of the Museum's redevelopment included the Interactive Moving Toys Project, and found that the touchscreens work particularly well with independent older children or small groups of children, or with an adult providing prompts about the purpose of the activity. The evaluation found that children enjoyed exploring the toys and the science and technology behind them.

The Museum has a regular programme of evaluation which will include the Interactive Moving Toys Project, and plans to refurbish and permanently redisplay the Moving and Optical Toys Gallery in 2005, with the Interactive Moving Toys Project as a permanent feature.

Introduction

MaST (Music and Science/Technology) was an education programme developed by the chamber orchestra Sinfonia 21 together with Imperial College. It aimed to introduce participants to physics and technology through music.

Project implementation

This project was led by Sinfonia 21, a chamber orchestra at Imperial College, in collaboration with physics researchers at Imperial College, members of the Sonic Arts Network, Sound Intermedia and Lewisham EBP.

The project aimed over a two-year period to enable primary-school children, their teachers and parents in schools in Lewisham, Greater London to explore the physics of sound through electro-acoustic composition.

The project provided INSET training for teachers, a series of workshops with primary school pupils, their parents and teachers, and project performances at the Science Museum and the Horniman Museum with students, parents, teachers and invited guests. Teacher INSET and follow-ups ensure the project had a lasting impact and legacy, and emphasised the project's cross-curriculum relevance.

In the first year, 240 children and 25 teachers from 8 primary schools experienced the workshops, fair, project performances and initial INSET training.

Toward the end of the first year of the project, Sinfonia 21 ceased to receive funding from the Arts Council, and all staff were made redundant. The Copus Grants office agreed with the applicant how to continue the project in a personal capacity. This enabled the completion of the first year of the project, which included finishing the programme of INSET training, providing the schools involved with the necessary computer software, and dissemination of the project's concepts and methods.

Funding was provided by Copus, Sir John Cass's Foundation and the Foyle Foundation. The Science Museum, the Horniman Museum and the schools involved provided venues.

Outcomes

Interim evaluation of the pupils showed that they benefited educationally, artistically and socially, gaining confidence and building teamwork skills.

Evaluation and feedback from the teachers showed that they had gained skills in teaching the concepts of music and science of sound and had gained confidence in the technologies involved. The project's emphasis on creative teaching - emphasising the cross-curricular nature of the project - enabled some teachers to consider how the science and music concepts could be used to teach literacy and other National Curriculum key skills.

The final programme of INSET training and dissemination has ensured that the methods used in the project will continue in the schools in the Lewisham area.

Introduction

A voyage of scientific exploration and discovery for schoolchildren from across the UK, culminating at the Royal Institution Faraday Lecture Theatre, 'The Cathedral of Science' on June 11th.

Further information: to follow

Introduction

The Scottish Association for Marine Science worked in collaboration with the Scottish SeaLife Sanctuary to create an interactive deep-sea exhibition "Into the Deep", to increase public appreciation of the deep-sea environment, which takes up over half the Scottish territory.

Project implementation

This was the first collaboration between the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Scottish SeaLife Sanctuary. The project aimed to provide an experience of the conditions encountered in the deep sea; introduce visitors to live species from the deep sea; help visualise and engage public audiences in the role of bioluminescence in the deep-sea environment; and to raise public awareness of the issues surrounding deep-sea fishing and the protection of deep-sea environments.

The project created a 60 square metre immersive exhibition at the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary at Barcaldine near Oban, which includes displays of live species, videos, images and text, and a factsheet with additional information.

The main challenges encountered were the creation of a room that appeared to be cold, but that met with visitor access and comfort requirements, and in the collection of some of the live species, in particular the deep-sea coral Lophelia pertusa. This coral is the subject of research at SAMS, and the "Into the Deep" is the only public display in the UK.

Funding was provided by Copus, the Scottish SeaLife Sanctuary, the Scottish Association for Marine Science, and Scottish Natural Heritage. Harbour Branch Oceanographic Instutute, the University of Erlangen and the BBC supported the project by making available free film material, photographs and computer games.

Outcomes

Evaluation and audience analysis of the exhibition shows that it is particularly appreciated by adults, and that short-term learning has taken place. They plan to evaluate longer term effects in due course.

The project has created a positive relationship between SAMS as a research organisation, and the Scottish SeaLife Sanctuary as an environmental education centre, and the two organisations have already worked together on two projects.

The experience SAMS gained in developing the exhibition has led to them being contacted to be involved in other exhibitions. SAMS staff have also gained confidence in their skills in science communication, and in the public's interest in their work.

Introduction

Trawsffurfio/Transformation is a development of Earth Magic (Theatr Felinfach/Dawns Dyfed 2000). It is an innovative project which aims to give young people throughout West Wales, experience, knowledge and understanding of science and scientific principles, using creative movement and dance as a medium, cultivating in a piece of performance work.

Further information: to follow

Introduction

High impact posters for every secondary school student common room or main corridor explaining to all, whether scientists or not, about the fundamental importance of plant science in their lives.

Further information: to follow

Introduction

To engage young adults, older adults and people of all ages with special needs, in scientific activities by increasing accessibility for all to some of the UK's richest wildlife habitats.

Further information: to follow

The Copus Grant Schemes are funded by the Office of Science and Technology and The Royal Society.

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