Saturday Dec 01, 2007
I was astounded to find out, at the end of October, that the National Lottery had decided to shorten their list for the "People's Vote" from 6 to 4; and they dropped Inspired off the list.
The reasons are still not clear - they seem to feel no need to account for the decision (but it feels Political).
I feel really sorry for the Inspired team, who will fight on; the petition to reinstate Inpsired has now closed, but includes signatories such as Prof. Stephen Hawking.
Wednesday Aug 08, 2007
In the last Sunday Times (5th), Jeremy Clarkson dedicates half of his review on the G-Wiz electric car to the Science Museum's Inspired project and its bid for a UK lottery grant. Some quotes:
"Since 1996 entries for A-level physics are down by 5,000 and there have been 79 university science department closures. What’s more, in the next few years half of the nation’s physics teachers will retire, leaving a gap that cannot be filled.
"What makes all this doubly alarming is that we are living in an increasingly technological world. The demand for phones that can play tunes, jet engines that run on manure and game consoles that mince pigeons is increasing at an exponential rate. And as it increases the number of people in Britain able to design and develop these new ideas is dwindling.
"... it is critical the Science Museum wins a forthcoming competition to get its hands on £50m from the Big Lottery.
"The men in cornish-pastie shoes want the lottery cash so they can build an architectural wonder where all the quarter of a million exhibits can be displayed properly. A place that should help Britain’s schoolchildren understand that it won’t be environmentalists or politicians that’ll save the world from global warming. It’ll be a scientist.
"If you want to ensure the Science Museum gets its cash and the windmill fails, go to www.voteinspired.org.uk and vote. I have."
'Nuff said.
Wednesday Jun 13, 2007
Some unkind people will tell you that the best thing about Swindon is its view from your rear-view mirror as you join the M4.... But not many know about the hidden treasure trove at a nearby disused airfield - one that any of us with a hint of interest in Technology, Science or Educataion need to be vigorously supporting (-in the autumn you will get a chance)
Of course, we all know about the Science Museum in Kensington. This, in turn, is part of the UK's NMSI family of museums, that includes the National Rail Museum and the National Media Museum. But the less famous member is the Swindon Science Museum.
Before you scoff: Swindon holds 92% of the Science Museum collection; yes you read that right - Kensington only has 8% of the collection. Wroughton airfield near Swindon has hangar after hangar stuffed full of, well, stuff. This includes a Lockheed Constellation once owned by the Rolling Stones, a nuclear missile or two, Blue Peter inshore lifeboat, the first hovercraft, oh and - computers. Rows and rows of them- from Leo, through ICL 1900's to Microvaxes & Apollos (I haven't spotted a Sparcstation yet).
Today, public access is limited (and a bit random). A project called "Inspired" has been launched to develop the site and open it up for better access - not as a "normal" museum, but more a place of education, inspiration and fun - a new type of museum that will "deliver serious fun for everyone by bringing to life the human
stories and moments of genius behind 200,000 iconic objects which have
been previously inaccessible to the public".
The project is on a shortlist of 6 for Lottery funding, that will be voted on by the UK public later in 2007. Please -
browse their web site, get Inspired, go to one of their events, support the Lotterty vote.
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