Newsletter FEB09

F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 9

■ NSCF Contact Chairmans letter to you! NSCFBoard 2007-2009: ■ Lotta Johansson, I hope that you have all started a very good new Science Centre year. Navet, Sverige (Chairman) I wish for all of us a 2009 with many developing, inspiring and con- Tel +46 3335 3396 structive meetings. [email protected] ■ Sampo Puoskari, 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and the Darwin Year. Tietomaa, Finland This gives us plenty of opportunities to interest many new people for Tel +358 44 703 1342 science. I would like everyone who intend to have some activities or [email protected] exhibitions concerning astronomy and/or evolution to send a short ■ Nils Hornstrup, description to me, so that it can be put on the NSCF webpage and Experimentarium, Danmark perhaps brought to Milan. Tel +45 3925 7226 [email protected] This year, NSCF will have a corner of a booth in the Business Bistro th th ■ Målfrid Snørteland, at the Ecsite Conference in Milan 4 to 7 of June 2009. I hope that Jærmuseet, Norge many of us will meet up there. This newsletter will of course be pre- Tel +47 5179 9432 sented in the NSCF booth. [email protected] ■ Tómas Óskar Gudjónsson, Many of us met in Danfoss for a fantastic conference. It was a very Fjölskyldu- & húsdyragardurinn, Island well arranged conference, which gave us many new perspectives. Tel +354 5757 800 Many thanks from us all in NSCF to Danfoss!! [email protected] The next NSCF Annual Meeting will be in Jæren/Sandnes in Norway NSCF Administration 2007-2009: in October 2009. Jærmuseet will be our host. As soon as the dates NAVET are fixed, we will email the exact times to all member institutions in Nybrogatan 9A order for you to reserve time in your calendar and prepare your SE-503 31 Borås travel. Tel +46 3335 3757 Fax +46 3335 3758 I would also like to remind you all of the opportunity to apply for Email: [email protected] grants for practical training at another science centre.

NSCF Newsletter: Best regards, Lotta Johansson ([email protected]) [email protected]

NSCF web site: http://www.nordicscience.org The NSCF conference at Danfoss Universe ■ Sara Bagge and Lotta Johansson, Navet

The 8 – 10 October 2008 we all look at something, new and in- He also drew the conclusion that met for a very inspiring and interesting things will appear. This we will be connected and inter- teresting annual conference at rarely happens in a room built by dependent and that everything Danfoss Universe in Denmark. man. accelerates. Here are some highlights from Hans Henrik Knoop also talked the presentations. about the demands for learning The European Dream – From the and the desire to learn, and what Most to the Best by Anne Skare Science Centers and the Citizens can happen if demands choke Nielsen, Future Navigator. of the Future by Hans Henrik desire. Anne Skare Nielsen started by Knoop, University Research Lab. The presentation of Hans Henrik talking about not getting the most Hans Henrik Knoop talked about Knoop (HHK-slides.ppt) will be out of everything (people, rela- if citizens need to have a basic available for download on the tionships…), but getting the best scientific knowledge in order to NSCF website out of them/it. We must be better participate in the modern democ- www.nordicscience.org at exploiting each others compe- racy. He started out with the tences. She also brought up the fantastic expression Listen louder. Having this in mind in a conver- sation includes • stop talking for yourself • stop downloading and focus on the other person • listen for the meaningful • look for the bigger picture

This presentation also brought up the question of what it takes to be successful in the future. Anne Skare Nielsen identified the following factors: • Originality – passion • Feel that we are doing important, meaningful work • Good energy – create situa- tions that gets the best out of us. question on how the environment Science Centers and the Children affects the way we learn. How of the Future by Peter Hes- Improving Education in Science, shall we build rooms so that peo- seldahl, Danfoss Universe Impact. Technology, and Health in Den- ple want to stay there even Peter Hesseldahl talked about mark by Keld Nielsen, Århus Uni- though they don´t have to? The whether the young people of the versity, Department of Science idea Hans Henrik Knoop pre- future are different, since they Studies. sented was that we are evolu- will grow up being on-line 24/7. Keld Nielsen gave us a presenta- tionary designed to enjoy the es- He took a starting point in what tion and reflexions on a new na- thetics of nature. The difference he saw was 3 important trends: tional strategy. between the nature and some- • Increasing complexity thing built by man is the com- • Increasing participating plexity. In nature, the closer you • Merging real and virtual

2 Gala dinner in Thanks to Danfoss Universe! Cumulus The conference We are all greatful for the large dinner was an and successful job that Danfoss event filled with Universe and all their enthusias- delicious food tic staff did for us. Thank you for a and drinks and fuitful conference!!! ■ exciting experiments in a merry atmosphere.

Integration between formal and informal learning areas – practical experience with project FUF by Henrik Jacobsen, University Research Lab. A report on FUF project using digital technology for intercon- necting the learning in formal arenas with experiences made in informal arenas.

Coproductive learning in House of Science by Heiko Buch-Illing. Heiko Buch-Illing talked about how to mind the gap between formal and informal learning. The presentation of Heiko Buch-Illing (HBI-slides.ppt) will be available for download on the NSCF website www.nordicscience.org

Workshops Besides interesting presentations, the conference also included a number of workshops. • Pico: Basic programming in a playful engaging way •Explo- rama: Explore your own Multiple Intelligences profile •Lego Serious Play: Give your brain a hand •Physics in a Park: An outdoor learning arena.

3 Cino4, Sweden's first 4D cinema ■ Mariana Back, National Museum of Science and Technology, Stockholm

In January 2007 the Museum of Science and Technology opened Sweden’s first 4D Cinema. With this type of cinematic experiences you are introduced to a show that includes sensory and motion effects in addition to the 3D visuals and the im- pressive surround sound. The seats in the theatre can move forwards, backwards, sideways and are fitted with under-seat ticklers and individual speakers. A re- mote control allows participation in interactive fea- A little later, in April 2007, we in- time for 2008 summer vacations tures. Fans and water sprayer troduced the audience to Hocus in order to attract more visitors. complete the range of sensory Science Focus, a show about sci- This worked particularly well at effects. ence and illusions. This show had the Museum since we also had at great success with kids around 8- the same time an exhibit focusing Learning to Fly 10 years of age, whether in school on the International Space Sta- Two years have now passed and groups, or accompanied by their tion (ISS). It includes mockups of several new shows have been parents. It did not please, how- ISS modules, a Gyro Wheel, a released. The first show on our ever, all adults that visited Cino4 life-sized mannequin of the schedule was Learning to Fly. It without children, to the same de- Swedish astronaut, Christer takes you on a dizzying airplane gree. A new collaboration project Fuglesang, wearing a spacesuit ride over land and sea, where is in the works where children in plus more. howling wind and a vibrating fu- the 2nd and 3rd grades will be selage effect is included. When invited by different companies to During summer the Museum ran the aircraft makes a sudden dive, see the show at the Museum, in an advertising campaign on the sprays of water and condensation Cino4. The main goal is to offer theme “Travel to Space! A Round- are produced and the engines an exciting experience in a trip for less than 8 €.” These fea- roar until it finally levels out and science-related environment and tures were advertised in busses calmly proceeds on its way. In to help fostering an interest for and in newspapers. This com- this exiting journey you also get science and technology. bined space theme attracted to see scenic views from the bird’s many visitors to the Museum dur- perspective and follow the his- A Journey Through the Universe ing the summer and continued to tory of how Man conquered the We premiered the popular show do so during the fall and the win- sky. Audiences love this show! about space and astronomy, A ter seasons. Hocus Science Focus Journey Through the Universe, in

4 Building Without Limits The movie, “Building Without Limits”, premiered in September 2008, just in time for the schools to find out about it and plan a visit to Cino4. Preparation for this particular show had already started in July a year earlier. Ideas and material had been gathered about the theme of extreme engineering. A concept was developed and agreed on in collaboration between the Museum and Orpan Group, the producers of the final 4D presentation. The movie deals with: • Manmade constructions - tall, our intense work to fulfil one of wide and generally remarkable. In the first workshop held last fall our dreams -- to produce a per- • To present several different it was a joy to see staff partici- formance for deaf blind audi- exciting fields of engineering that pants made up of colleagues and ences – an artistic work, but one are relevant to our everyday lives. friends -- from DBA and staff that´s also attractive to hearing • To show what humans have members at Riksteatern and The audiences. ■ been able to achieve by using Museum of Science and Technol- ancient and new, practical and ogy -- listening, accepting and theoretical, knowledge. really absorbing feelings, facts • To show engineering as an ex- and tips as to how these seem- citing, interesting and important ingly different worlds can learn Competition! field of human endeavour. from each other. But it was all Find a name for the new • To create in viewers an interest about how to implement, what for new technology and taking can we learn and how can this Swedish Science centre on part in the creation of future soci- affect change. flight ety. One afternoon was spent in Cino Are you a science centre Cino4 Takes on New Challenges 4 – with both deaf, deaf blind and employee and full of ideas? The Museum of Science and hearing colleagues experiencing Take part in the competition! Technology has started to col- the cinema. This short session Do you have an excellent idea laborate with Riksteatern & Tyst showed more to us than what of a name for the science centre Teater (Swedish National Touring discussions held over weeks at the Swedish Air Force Theatre & Silent Theatre) and De would have done! Museum? Please send it to Döv/blindas förening/The Deaf/ patricia.kastberg@flygvapenm Blind Association (DBA). Our Click on this link and you will find useum.se common goal is to bring accessi- a short report form the workshop If your suggestion is considered bility for hearing or seeing im- held in September, 2008 to be one of the best you will be paired in our 4D Theatre. We http://www.svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslin awarded with a flying want to create a performance in k.jsp?d=98085&a=1293417&lid=p experience! Cino4 for people with special uff_1293417&lpos=rubrik See more on page 7 ■ needs, using all of the Theatres sensory effects. Follow-up All involved parties have been evaluation and documentation very inspired and are looking will then allow us to decide and forward to what 2009 brings. This plan the next phase. is the year when we shall start

5 Experimentarium is looking for the future! ■ Asger Høeg, Executive Director, Experimentarium

In 2008 Experimentarium the three renewals on our build- reached 315.000 visitors which ing (in 1988, 1995 and 2001) - to- was as budgeted, but 28.000 less gether with Experimentarium's NSCF offers visitors than 2007. The year of staff - has set up a program for 2007 was marked by the wet preparing the building for our study grants! summer with 55.000 visitors in future activities and also enlarg- July 2007. And the summer of ing the building with a new level If you would like to send a 2008 was dry and sunny with and an outdoor area on the roof member of your staff on a one 33.000 visitors in July 2008. So of the building giving space for a week practical training at an- after all, we are happy with forest(!), an exhibition, a cafete- other NSCF member science 315.000 visitors in 2008. ria and a lot of solar cells! The centre, you can apply for a DKK But what about the future? space on the roof covers 6.600 10.000 grant from NSCF. m2! On 15 April 2008 we became the Please send an application mail owner of our house on Tuborg The program predict that the to our chairman Lotta Johansson Havnevej 7 in Hellerup. Experi- building shall be (almost) CO2 ([email protected]) mentarium have paid 119 million neutral. The facade of the build- DKK to Carlsberg A/S and is now ing shall be dynamic and reflect - The application shall contain: the owner of the building includ- live - the surroundings of the 1. Name of applicant and applying a new built underground building. ing science centre parking facility with the capacity 2. Name of science centre to be of 100 cars. In total, the program adds almost visited Being the owner of the building, 10.000 new square meters gross 3. Date of the practical training Experimentarium can now dream to the building. The total cost for 4. Description of what you are of enlarging, reshaping and re- the program is estimated to 375 particularly interested in dur- newing the building. And that is million DKK. In addition to that, ing the training exactly what we want to do! Experimentarium hopes to raise 75 million DKK. for new exhibi- After the practical training pe- We have a 450 million DKK tions, equipment and other costs riod, a short report must be dream of a larger and more spec- in connection with the project. written to the NSCF Newsletter. tacular building! When that is done, NSCF will Erik Møller Architects, the archi- More information? contact pay 10 000 DKK to the applying tect company that has directed [email protected] ■ science centre. ■

6 Explore! Experience! Enjoy! Work in progress - the Science center on flight at the Swedish Air Force Museum ■ Hanna Bjärenstam, Project leader and educational officer. visitors, youngsters and adults, during recent years. In addition to the questions collected, that hints the visitors´ wishes of understanding how it works, surveys made at the museum show that the museum audience is interested in getting closer to the amazing airplanes. They long for sitting in the cock pit, getting an idea of what it is like to control a real airplane… Photography: Lars Malm. The wonder of flying Right now a number of persons Discovering and enjoying air! It´s truely challenging to mediate are working on realizing a new Our future science centre of ap- a sensation of flying to someone science centre on flight in proximately 500 square meters, who has never flown or to some- Linköping, Sweden. We are con- offers a spectrum of exciting ac- one who might never have seen structing an exhibition filled with tivities such as hands on stations, an airplane at close quarters. The experiences for all senses. The workshops and school projects. relation between the experiment exhibition is part of the expan- The central theme in the science and reality is part of the visuali- sion of Flygvapenmuseum - the centre is: Why does it fly? Chil- zation, in this way the station will Swedish Air Force museum, an dren will search the answers to be closer to the visitor’s world expansion of 6000 square meters. this question in the exhibition and therefore easier to under- Furthermore the reopened mu- area (and outdoors too), by dis- stand. We aim to mediate func- seum will in 2010 contain an ex- covering the interdisciplinary tion as well as significance, to hibit on the Cold War, an audito- hands on stations. We strive for look at the airplanes as part of a rium, an archive, a library, a shop interpretation on reality and the system. A digital learning re- and a restaurant. key words for the hands on sta- source will enable children to tions are interactivity and pleas- reflect on several issues, for ex- urable learning. ample the consequences of using airplanes – consequences on our The exhibit is influ- environment and on persons/ enced by a number of buildings etc in conflicts. questions: how do pilots and air traffic In the exhibit, children (and of controllers interact, course adults as well!), will be how is an airplane able to take a pilot test – explore controlled, how do the sense of balance, sight, hear- huge airplanes even ing and reaction. Try their ability get up into the air etc. to fly different airplanes in simu- These questions lators or if they are a little bit where collected by younger – why not try a flying Finding out how it works! Photography: Ola Holmgren. keen educational offi- suit? Enjoy the giant and colour- cers meeting curious ful wind socks blowing in the

7 wind and try the wooden mini- The youngsters enjoyed the sci- early stage. This is going to be airplanes. Experience compli- ence centre of many reasons, the done continuously, starting with cated theories on aerodynamics most common reason was: “It´s the flight simulators. by using your own body – stand- great because you are able to un- ing in front of a gigantic fan play- derstand some things better”. An exciting meeting point ing with models on your hands. Another one is: “Here you are We want children to use their This is a tangible and enjoyable able to have ‘fun’ this is not the imagination and finding out way of approaching science! case at school”. Most of the stu- things they did not know before - dents experience that they learn that they take part in a great ex- On the search for how it works! something at the science centre perience. Moreover the science What attracts the target group, i.e. and some of them see the con- centre is to function as a meeting mainly youngsters in the ages 12- nection between the teaching at point for people from schools, 16 years, and what makes them school and the stations, for ex- companies and organisations. want to visit us again and again? ample in biology. It turned out Our aim is that teachers use the To find the answers to our ques- that they would tions we are conducting a survey like more sign- including 20 teenagers from a boards in the nearby school - Ekholmsskolan. exhibition so that The project is performed in coop- they are able to eration with regional and na- understand some tional school development of the stations. authorities. We spent a day with the students Investigating the at the science centre Tom Tits in visitors´ opin- Södertälje, investigating the ex- ions hibits by exploring in small To draw our pre- groups and then discussing what sent visitors´ Trying the new flightsimulator. Photography: Ola Holmgren. good and bad hands-on stations interest, we re- contain and how the students cently produced two vessels (they centre as a resource for learning interpret them. It turned out that might remind you of spacehips) science and technology. Once the the students prefer stations in- containing Microsoft Flight Simu- children have visited the centre cluding one or more of the fol- lators. They are installed next to with their teacher they will hope- lowing ingredients: cooperation, our authentic airplanes. Spend- fully return to enjoy the exhibi- competition, experiencing some- ing a part of the visit in front of tion on their own or with their thing new and exciting, using and the screens gives an understand- cousin, grandmother, father, testing the capacities of their own ing of how to take off, fly and neighbour, best friend… body. land an airplane. In the working process with the Welcome to explore, experience science centre it and enjoy the science centre at is important to the Swedish Air Force Museum in have a continu- the summer of 2010! ous dialogue with our visitors Are you curious about the science – to find out centre project? Read more at whether the www.flygvapenmuseum.se ■ hands on stations are attractive or not: to get feedback on how they can be Ekholmsskola-students at Tom Tits. Photography: Hanna Bjärenstam. improved, at an

8 ! Heureka’s Learning Centre ■ Matti Rosssi, Director of Learning

Heureka offers support to Finnish Heureka will provide a founda- interested in developing its con- schools through its newly estab- tion for resources and teaching tent. Heureka has sought funding lished Learning Centre. Heureka’s ideas which can be utilised on in co-operation with companies, Learning Centre is developed in a the national level in daily school foundations and public authori- activities. Teachers ties. With the help of this fund- ! will also have ac- ing, a teacher already working in cess to materials a school or university will be able that support infor- to transfer for one school year to mation and com- Heureka in order to assist in the munication peda- development of the experimental gogy. With the help activities together with Heureka’s of international pro- other staff members and part- jects, the Learning ners. A teacher exchange with Centre aims at the other European countries will top of the field of also be possible. scientific education and to become an The laboratory and workshop established part of programmes produced by the European edu- Heureka will be closely linked to The Learning Centre will organise programmes in its own cational arena. the foundations of the Finnish facilities for about 60,000 school children and students each year. The development of media competence will be curricula. Additionally, laboratory an important part of Heureka’s programmes. Students The permanent staff programmes will be designed to will be encouraged to use digital materials, and to create of the Learning Cen- supplement Heureka’s exhibition and present digital reports. tre includes ex- and science theatre offerings. The plainers, planners, a programmes will be created in goal-oriented fashion to become school contact manager, a re- co-operation with companies, a national and international actor search professor and the Director research institutes and universi- in scientific and technological of Learning. In order to reinforce ties, which will enable the pro- instruction, and it is an active the instruc- partner in the Finnish National tional con- ! Board of Education’s project fo- tent, cused on developing new learn- Heureka ing environments. has initi- ated a The Learning Centre produces ‘Heureka laboratory and workshop pro- Teacher’ grammes, and material to support system. This the current school curricula. The system will teachers’ professional compe- ensure that tence in the experimental and the Learn- creative teaching of science and ing Centre technology will be reinforced will have a Heureka’s new programme focusing on the brain and its functions within the inspiring environment supply of is particularly geared to support the high school curriculum of the Learning Centre. The work- innovative content in physics, chemistry, biology and psychology, and the high shop programmes created by teachers school subject area of Technology and society.

9 grammes to integrate new inno- vations. New instructional meth- Planetarium news from Norway ods which utilise digital multi- ■ Anne Bruvold and Mona Holmø, Nordnorsk Vitensenter media and electronic learning environments will be continu- Stargazers of Norway could cheer The planetarium at Nordnorsk ously examined. last year due to two major events: vitensenter, originating from 1989, has 90 seats and runs a De- •Jærmuseet, the Science Centre finiti theatre from Sky-Scan. The of South-Western Norway, original Spitz star projector is still opened their new edifice Viten- running, but the new digital sys- fabrikken housing a new digital tem displays a black and white planetarium in Sandnes. contrast sufficient for running “all digital” shows. •Nordnorsk vitensenter, the Sci- ence Centre of Northern Norway, Is this the start of an era of new replaced their interlinked projec- digital planetariums in Norway? tor system with a fully digital pro- More Norwegian science centers !The Learning Centre will also jector system. have an intention to achieve a provide further education oppor- planetarium sometime in the fu- tunities for teachers. The aim is to The Science Centre in Sandnes, ture. called the Science Factory, was encourage teachers to use and rd produce digital materials, and to opened May 23 . The major at- For more information contact ■ learn how to integrate online traction is a planetarium placed [email protected] skills with creative scientific inside a 10 m hovering globe. The teaching methods. This training planetarium provides teachers with a solid has 56 seats basis for serving as a modern and and runs a pro- innovative expert and educator jector system within their own teaching envi- from Carl Zeiss. ronment. The system is a hybrid with Along with the foundation of the both a star-ball Learning Centre, Heureka will and digital pro- gain a stronger position in inter- jectors working national research and develop- together as a ment projects, since it offers an unit. excellent environment for studying scientific learning and testing the methods.

For more information contact [email protected] ■

10 MUONRAIN at Universeum ■ Sten Ljungström, Universeum !

Cosmic radiation comes from outer space. Normally we do not know exactly where it originates. But we want to detect it and get new exciting knowledge about our universe. From the cosmic radiation sub- atomic particles called muons are created in the upper atmosphere. The muons travel down to Earth ! with almost the speed of light, they should, with classical me- and every second of our lives chanics, only be able to move a several of these particles pass distance of 660 m. However, due through us. In the new installa- to Einstein´s theory of relativity, ! tion at Universeum, MUONRAIN, time is going slower at high their arrivals are detected caus- speeds. That is why they can ing electric signals which are travel much further, all away from made visible by flashing lights in the upper atmosphere down to a beautiful artwork installation. the ground and even further down into the earth. The muon – a fascinating The cosmic radiation consists particle heavier relative to mainly of protons (about 90 %), 9 % of alpha particles, and the the electron last percent of some heavier nu- The muon is an elementary parti- clei like Li, Be, Fe, C, and O. When cle similar to the electron, with they hit the particles in the at- negative electric charge. It is clas- mosphere, showers of secondary sified as a lepton, and has a mean particles are generated especially lifetime of 2.2 μs. The muon is different mesons. They in turn about two hundred times heavier decay immediately to photons ! then the electron (with a mass of and leptons, preferentially to MUONRAIN is placed in the entrance of 2 2 105.7 MeV/c to 0.511 MeV/c for muons. The speed of the muon is Universeum. 64 iron tubes of different the electron). greater than 0.998 of the speed of lengths are formed into five construc- Muons were discovered by Carl light. Due to their greater mass, tions each with a muon detector at the bottom. MUONRAIN is created by David Anderson in 1936. In the muons are highly penetrating, Monica Sand. same year he received the Nobel much more so than electrons. Of prize in Physics for the discovery course many of them decay light. of the positron in cosmic radia- rather quickly to form electrons tion a couple of years earlier. In and neutrinos. Those neutrinos spite of their short lifetimes many are denoted by νμ. The muons MUONRAIN muons reach the Earth’s surface, that do reach the ground can be The Installation MUONRAIN about one hundred per second detected by different detectors. gives an immediate experience of per square meter. Travelling at MUONRAIN has five such detec- the rain of muons that surrounds speeds close to the speed of light, tors generating electric signals us and passes through our bodies 300 000 km/s for a time of 2.2 μs, which are coupled to flashes of every second. MUONRAIN con-

11 tains 64 tubes of iron grouped in five constructions. Lamps are lo- Norwegian Science centre communicators’ cated inside glass plates on top of workshop – and a Nordic? each iron tube. Two of the constructions represent Poisson dis- ■ Hanne Madsen, Jærmuseet, Norway tributions. Another two are seven meters high. In the bottom of On 19-20th January 27 communi- out in Norway first, since it was each construction a detector is cators from 6 different science already planned. placed, detecting muons in real centres in Norway met at Jær- time. When a muon hits a detec- museet on for a 2 days workshop Based on the evaluation of the tor an electric signal is generated, for “professionals”. The purpose meeting of the Norwegian sci- amplified and triggered to light a of the meeting was to exchange ence centre communicators it is lamp. Which lamp is lit depends ideas and experiences. The idea clear that the Norwegian science on the dissipated incoming muon of gathering the science commu- communicators will be happy to energy and which detector is hit nicators has been there for sev- exchange ideas with their Nordic by the muon. eral years, and a late night in colleagues and they suggest to August 2008 at a mathematics hold a Nordic workshop for sci- Monica Sand is the artist conference we took the first step ence centre communicators e.g. to enable it to be more than just every other year. It is important Monica Sand has worked to give talk... that it is practical, interactive artistic interpretations of research in Physics. She obtained a PhD at KTH – the Royal Technical High school in Stockholm concerning how changes in the physical environment impacts on the possibili- ties for an artist or a scientist. In 1999 she was awarded an honory doctor of technology at Chalmers University of Technology in Göte- borg. Monica Sand has mainly collaborated with researchers at CERN (the European laboratory for particle physics outside Genève) and in Sweden. All the communicators from the workshops, combined with didac- For moreore information contact Science centres came with both tic reflections and experiences. It [email protected] ready-proven programs and is also important that all partici- ■ schemes that are under develop- pants bring their own contribu- ment. We used each other to be tion in order to exchange ideas even better! We hope that the on a practical way. contact between the communicators will continue after the meet- With this notice we call on the ing, just by the fact that we know Board of NSCF to carry out this each other. proposal!

At our annual NSCF meeting in If you are interested please con- Danfoss Universe the issue of tact: holding a Nordic workshop for [email protected] science centre communicators ■ was discussed, but the Norwe- gian committee decided to try this

12 Events and festivals at the Science Centre ■ Poul Kattler and Helle Rimmer, Experimentarium

Why festivals? There are more strategic reasons why Experimentarium is concen- trating some of our efforts on events on besides our exhibitions. Firstly we do of course wish to attract more visitors in general. Secondly an event or a festival is a good chance to promote and facilitate some of our focus areas within science and technique and hereby emphasise what we do as a science centre. And finally a festival is an obvi- ous way to start up new strategic partnerships. At Experimentarium we have just mous and very entertaining Soap held our 4th Soap bubble Festi- bubble artist Tom Noddy as our When planning a year we are val. This 3-days festival was, as main attraction. He was perform- also very conscious about slow the previous ones, successful and ing 3 times a day with a 30-40 periods compared to the more very well visited. A festival at Ex- minutes show. Each time with a busy ones. The busy periods are perimentarium is holding a spe- full audience of 250 persons. In primarily the school holidays. cific theme; in this case our much the lab the Swedish professor Events here are aiming at spread- loved soap bubbles. This means Göran Rämme from Uppsala ing the audience out, giving them that all activities in the house worked with the audience. Each more room during their visit and have to do with soap bubbles: year we are adding a few new more offers. More shows at our shows, demos, hands-on activi- activates to the bubble-program, two stages, workshops in our lab ties, displays in our shop, etc. As so that the experience differs a and meeting rooms, both with a special feature at our Soap bit from year to year. own science shows and hired in bubble Festivals we have the fa- shows, e.g. from a science theatre. When organising a festival, we most often focuses on the slower periods during the year. Here the aim is to attract more guests. The range of possible festival themes is wide. Soap bubbles, robots, fireworks, or a theme related to the present special exhibition. Just now we present a spy- exhibition and we would in fact love a second wave of interest from our audience. So why not ’build’ a Spy Festival on top of this exhibition? We then give our guests the possibility to meet the technical partners we have had

13 while developing this exhibition and a whole range of fun spy ac- Why is Science and language an tivities. So would you like to join us for a Spy Festival? Then put a important combination? note in your calendar April 24th ■ Paula Bäckman, Center Director, Balthazar, Skövde to 26th. Like most Science Centers, working for a Science Centre?” I Catching the press’ interest Balthazar aims at increasing in- think it would be insulting to ask The last few years we have expe- terest, curiosity and knowledge in the question how important is rienced that it is getting more the fields of science and technol- English to science and technol- difficult to attract the Press’ inter- ogy. But it is also about getting ogy. Oh, I am not doing this in est when opening a new exhibi- students to apply for further any feeling of superiority or atti- tion. ’Isn’t this what you always study and eventually to work in tude that the English speaking do?” is their comment, when we the field. There are many things world has made more contribu- are doing our presswork. It is that are important to make this tions etc. Neither am I going to quite a challenge to catch their happen, and the effective use of apologise for being a native Eng- interest, if they cannot see the language is one of them. To be lish speaker and advocate the news angle right away. Unlike able to communicate in different introduction of Esperanto. My this they seem to be a lot more languages is of great importance background is a broad one: I interested when we are telling for the challenges that face us. have lived and worked in 6 coun- them about our festivals. Last Intensified international mobility tries, speak three European lan- year we had our first Robot Festi- and the closer co-operation guages fluently, have worked with val and we were busier than ever needed for development in trade language training in many of taking care of the journalists and and industry are two such chal- Europe’s leading industrial com- TV who wanted to cover the lenges. What is the best thing we panies and taught ages 6-70 in event. That interest had an im- can do for our children? We need my varied career. Papers are pub- mediate effect on the numbers to prepare them for the future, lished in English, conferences are visiting during the event, but also and the future lies within those addressed in English, research is on the following weekends. fields. conducted in English, and professional relationships are made Events and festivals – to be con- In 2008 we took one step further and maintained in English. tinued… in this direction. Balthazar Sci- Experimentarium will continue ence Centre in Skövde became an In September 2008, I began my focusing on this part of our strat- “educational trinity” and now employment at Balthazar Science egy based on experience gath- consists of the Science Centre, a Centre in Skövde. An innovative ered from events the last few Nature School and the English appointment by the Centre man- years. More events and festivals House. ager, Paula Bäckman. What is my will follow. Some will be planned role? Children are getting better well in advance; others will be The story of John Downey at English. The effect of exciting developed during the year. Below is the story of John Dow- children’s literature has com- ney, who is working at the Eng- bined with films, music, computer Fore more information contact lish House. What does he think games, TV and internet to pro- [email protected] about working at a Science Cen- duce a new generation of chil- or tre and how does he see the fu- dren who are getting more expo- [email protected] ture? sure to English in their private ■ lives than in the classroom. “Well, three years at university Teachers continue to use tradi- studying history of Art, and a tional methods and materials. Master’s degree in ”English Lan- This does not cater to the imme- guage Teaching”, and maybe a diate or future needs of the question “What am I doing here, learners. In the English House we

14 stimulate communication, encourage self confidence and focus Balthazar Astro news! on English as a tool for communication rather than a school ■ Paula Bäckman, Center Director, Balthazar, Skövde subject that has to be graded. Activities are designed to involve I’m sure you have heard by now the location for an artwork repre- cooperation as well as laughter. that it is 400 years since Galileo senting Halley’s Comet. The focus is on understanding Galilei first pointed his telescope and expression of individual at the stars? This was when he Linked with this event, we will be ideas rather than accuracy. We began his exploration of the sun, running a competition where pu- discuss cultural issues as well as the moon, the stars and the plan- pils can work with facts about the multi-cultural awareness and ets. Such an event deserves in- comet, draw or make models. The politeness. Balthazar, with its ternational recognition and cele- best contribution will be pro- exciting experiments, activities bration, and we at Balthazar Sci- duced as the work of art to be and themed exhibitions, provides ence Centre in Skövde will be unveiled in the autumn. a great backdrop for communica- doing our bit! After all, wasn’t From 2-5 April, we will be organ- tion, but this does not mean that Balthazar himself an astrologist? ising buses to take those inter- there is no room for discussion ested and curious to star- th about the children’s own world The 20 of February sees the watching evenings at the obser- beyind their interest in science launch of Balthazar’s “Interna- vatory in Lugnås. The evening and technology.,. Newton and tional Year of Astronomy” events will consist of a talk and a closer Galileo are just as welcome as at Balthazar from 10-4. We have a look at planets and stars. The Simpsons, My Chemical Ro- range of events for children and mance, World of Warcraft and adults including space themed In the summer Balthazar Science Harry Potter. Science centres are a activities and a visit from Lugnås’ Centre together with the English place of excitement and innova- Astronomy Club. House plan to take a group of tion. Language learning should young people to Kiruna for a be just as innovative and effective We will be hosting the exhibition “space course” which will be held as well as relevant.” “Upptäck Universum – I Galileis by students at the “Rymdgymna- ■ fotspår” (“Re-Discovering Gali- sium” (Sweden’s “Space High lei’s Universe”) and having extra School”). The course will include space-themed visits for schools. information about the research carried out at the Esrange Space In 2009, Centre. Balthazar will be- We have also planned a series of come part lectures with Cathy Horellou (On- of “Swe- sala Observatory). den Solar As you can see, we have abso- System”; lutely no intention of allowing a solar the “International Year of Astron- system omy” to pass uncelebrated or un- where recognized! Globen in Stockholm More about us, and our pro- is the sun, grammes and arrangement can and other be found at planets www.balthazar.skovde.se ■ are situ- ated around Sweden, according to their distance from Globen/the sun. Balthazar Science Centre is

15 NAVET NEWS - WWW.NAVET.COM

fire. He answers their questions start a fire. After this theme it is time Who lit the fire? about arson, how fires spread, and to put on the “pyromaniac glasses” This autumn, NAVET has started a so on. The pupils then turn to the and examine the school and the new crime lab theme. It is a fire audience and ask for help finding home. Where is it most likely for a theme, which has been very appre- out who caused the fire. fire to start? ciated by pupils, teachers and not least by the staff at NAVET. We in- At NAVET, the fire theme starts with Carina Lindberg ■ corporate several subjects in this the pupils in the class dressing up in theme, and we feel that it serves an overalls and helmets in order to ex- important purpose. The theme amine the “crime scene”. A container, The Palace of started since we were contacted by set up and decorated as a youth cen- the fire department, who asked us tre, and then burned out by the fire Mathematics for help. The number of fires in brigade serve as the “crime scene”. In here the pupils get to take the Baghdad – the mathematics theme Borås and the surrounding area are of NAVET – has been a great success rapidly increasing. To prevent this, roles as fire investigators. The purpose is also to give the pupils the and one of the most popular themes experience of seeing a burnt out of NAVET since it was created in the room. After the search for evidence year 2000. Since then, the perma- in the container, the pupils head for nent Baghdad exhibition at NAVET the crime lab, where they examine has been complemented with two different evidence material from the travelling Baghdad exhibitions, fire. In the lab, knowledge about which has been on tour in Sweden fires in general is also included. To- and Norway. gether, the pupils in the class find out who have started the fire. Now it is time to take the next step! The permanent Baghdad exhibition The assignment after the visit at at NAVET is being replaced by a 500 2 NAVET is to set up a trial in the m Palace of Mathematics. It will be classroom as a role-play. Everyone in a palace filled with beautiful, fantas- the class participates, with a specific tic, fascinating, thrilling, wonderful, part in the trial for each pupil. The exciting mathematics. It will be a judge and the jury men reach a ver- palace where mathematics is expe- NAVET and the fire department in dict. The class also discuss if the rienced with the entire body and Borås started this cooperation. The verdict is reasonable compared to with all your senses. It will be a pal- goal with the theme is that the pu- other real verdicts. The trial is a very ace where everyone can find a way pils acquire knowledge about fires in important part of the theme. It is in to the world of mathematics. an engaging and fun setting. They important to understand that even if should also be aware of the conse- you are under 12 years old, you will In the Palace of Mathematics, there quences of deliberately causing a still be liable for the damages if you will also be a room designed as the fire. classroom of the future. This will serve as an inspi- The pre-visit assignment for the pu- ration for teacher groups pils is a short film. It is about a group visiting NAVET, and the of pupils, who are going to a school mathematics education at disco in the youth centre. On their the teacher program at the way there, they are reached by the University of Borås will news that the youth centre is on fire! also have the possibility to They hurry over, and see the fire have lectures and work- brigade’s work with putting out the shops there. fire. The leader of the fire brigade talks to the pupils, and describes the The Palace of Mathematics

16 is developed in close contact with ! sumption are in dividual concepts for each place mathematicians, representatives focus in the and group depending on their from the teacher education and material; need and situation. We offer con- teachers. We all look forward to the coffee, com- cepts in connection to a number inauguration of the Palace of puters, shoes of different areas, all involving Mathematics in April 2009! and trans- the development of a hope for the ports. All of future while experiencing and Sara Bagge ■ them are somehow closely connected to the adult con- doing things together. Examples sumption. If you want to know more, of different concepts we have Social Profit download the material at worked with are The cosmic cycle www.wwf.se or place an order for – think universally, global and your own disc. Start an SPN investi- local, Energy today and tomor- Network (SPN ) gation of the consumption that takes row, Consumption, Waste – a NAVET, WWF, STENA Metall and place close to you! valuable raw material, Fair Trade Miljölots now proudly presents and organic production, … “Konsumtion på Hållbar väg”, a Anna Gunnarsson ■ school material about sustain- Now, NAVET invites EVERYONE able consumption. to a series of seminars concern- Sense and ing sustainable future. This se- The way we all consume has an effect on our environment in many ries will start in February, and Sensibility the themes will be: ! ways - and most of the time not Today the leaders and the scien- • Efficient energy usage in a positive tists of the world all agree that • Efficient transports way. This we stand before great challenges • Provisions – local, organic, situation is to be able to secure a sustainable fair. one of the future. Never before has the level We will invite interesting and major chal- of CO2 in the atmosphere been competent speakers, who can lenges that higher and during the last 30 address these subjects and give we will have to work with now and years alone, the global average us an input for our work in the in the future, in order to live sus- temperature has increased by 0.8 future. Are you interested in par- tainable lives on earth. “Konsumtion degrees Celsius. ticipating? Please, send a notifi- på Hållbar väg” ! cation to me. will show its A sustainable future is possible users better Lotta Johansson. by means of conscious choices, ways to act [email protected]. ■ as consum- good political decisions and peo- ers, and will ple with knowledge. People in give young families, in workplaces and in people ways companies feel worried about of in- fluencing the adults what is happening. Everyone around them. The investigations will needs knowledge in order to de- among other things focus on the velop a power to act and creativ- ways adults consume, mainly be- ity. Creative people with power to cause they have the power act can make a difference! ! (and the money) to NAVET has been working with point out the sustainable future since the year directions 2006, and we have met thou- for our consumption – sands of people in schools and in towards sus- associations. Now, we have tainability or started to work with companies not . Four different areas of our con- and workplaces. We develop in-

17 ics in a better context. This gives the Jan Thuresson (Särlaskolan, Borås), Educational students interesting, meaningful Fredrika Lundqvist (project leader education with sustainable devel- NOS, NAVET), Martin Persson (Sär- development opment as the main theme. A coop- laskolan, Borås). eration and integration of these sub- Every year in the end of October, a jects also increase the possibility to Fredrika Lundqvist ■ big school fair in Stockholm is or- reach the goals set up in the curricu- ganized. The fair last for three days lum. and a lot of teachers, principals, Two teachers from one of the NOS- headmasters and politicians etc visit Pilot Schools at schools participated at the fair and it. The visitors are mostly from Swe- told the visitors about their work den, but also from our neighbouring NAVET with NOS. They also brought works countries. from students. For example a film NAVET has started an in-service NOS (Nature and society) – a school they had produced together with the training concept for teachers in project at NAVET, for senior-level students, about historical events and primary school. By taking a start- teachers, has been appointed to one technical inventions. ing point in the situation in each of the most interesting school pro- school and teacher group, we jects in Sweden. Therefore we went make specific plans for the con- to Stockholm to present NOS at the fair. tent and program for each school. NOS intend to work with sustainable In this way, the in-service train- development, both in a human per- ing becomes more rewarding. It is spective and for the nature. This is not just one separate occasion, done by integrating NO (science but a long-term cooperation be- studies) with SO (social studies) to tween the school and NAVET. An create a meaningful collaboration important part of the commit- and to be able to show different top- ment is that not only the science

18 studies teachers participate, but all the teachers and other staff MINUTES OF NSCF ANNUAL MEETING working with the pupils in the 9. October, 2008 at Danfoss Universe, Denmark

AGENDA

1. Opening of Meeting The chairman of NSCF, Lotta Johansson, opened the NSCF Annual Meeting 2008.

2. Approval of the agenda school. It is important to have a The assembly approved of the agenda. common experience, to know what the other teachers teach, 3. Election of chairperson for the meeting and also to be able to discuss sci- Sara Bagge from Navet was elected chairperson for the meeting. ence with the pupils when the questions pop up – they will not 4. Election of secretary for the meeting only pop up during the science Målfrid Snørteland from Jærmuseet was elected secretary for the meeting studies class… The following institutional members were present at the meeting: The Pilot School project has de- Allan L. Winther, AQVA, Denmark veloped from the experiences Georg Nissen, Danfoss Universe, Denmark from the NOS project. One of the Nils Hornstrup, Dorthe Weis, Kim Gladstone Herlev, Experimentarium, Denmark ambitions with the NOS project Åsa Egeld, Graciella Beloni, Faktotum, Eskilstuna stadsmuseum, Sweden was to find out what knowledge Sigrun Thorlacius, Fjölskyldu- & húsdyragardurinn, Island in the science studies area the Elisabet Eronn, Framtidsmuseet, Sweden students need when they start Jaakko Pöyhönen, Seppo Stark, Heureka, Finland the upper level of the compulsory Jerry Alrup, Stefan Krusell, Innovatum Science Center, Sweden school. Quite a lot of the things Målfrid Snørteland, Gro Persson, Anne Torunn Braut, Jærmuseet, Norway traditionally taught in the 7th to Tina Ivarsson, Mats Olsson, Kreativum, Sweden the 9th grade could actually be Hans Hallman, Molekylverksta’n Sweden taught earlier in the school years. Lotta Johansson, Riitta Carlström, Sara Bagge, Navet, Sweden Having this in mind studying the Tove Marienborg, Nordnorsk Vitensenter, Norway curriculum, different themes for Olle Nordberg, Eva Jonsson, Teknikens Hus, Sweden the in-service training days has Jonna-Marlena Hārö, Sampo Puoskari, Tietomaa, Finland been developed. Ulrika Komnes, Jonas Bostrom, Universeum AB, Sweden Petra Skoglund, Vitensenteret Innlandet, Norway Jan M. Øverli, Atle Kjærvik, Vitensenteret I Trondheim, Norway Anne Vibeke Kragelund, Finn Lillethorup, Hanne Rasmussen, Økolariet, Travelling Exhibition: Denmark Berta the Chemistry Others: Hanna Bjārenstam, Flygvapenmuseet, Sweden Dragon 5. Report from the board The travelling exhibition about Lotta Johansson presented an oral annual report . The report will be pub- Berta is introducing the young lished in the next NSCF Newsletter. kids from 4 to 8 years to the fantastic world of chemistry. The 6. The economical report chemistry work starts with a let- The board presents the economical report. ter from Berta the Dragon, sent 39 members have paid their fee for 2008. out before the children come to This year is an intermediate period, so the board shall not present an audit visit. The letter contains a fasci- statement this year. nating experiment which is easy NSCF’s assets by 1.October 2008 were 319.393,75 SEK

19 and non- toxic to do with young 7. Travel grants children. When the group comes The meeting approved to double the travel grants to members of NSCF for to meet Berta in person (dragon) practical training at another science centre to DKK 10.000. she experiments with them in a How many who will be granted such support in 2009 depends on playful way – so that everyone NSCFs economy. The board will decide this later. can feel successful in chemistry. Her aim is to show interesting 8. Presenting of the NSCF on the Marketplace during the ECSITE con- and fantastic chemistry with eve- ference in Milan 2009. ryday stuff – mainly ingredients The board is aiming to make a common presentation and exhibition of that most people can find in their the Nordic science centres during the Ecsite conference 4-6 June 2009 grocery store. in Milan. More information will come in the next NSCF Newsletter . When Berta comes to visit a new 9. Questionnaire ! Last year the annual meeting discussed to establish a database of information about Nordic science centres, for example information about funding, schoolgroups and educational programmes, tickets and entrance fee, etc. The board hoped to send a questionnaire to out members during 2008. Unfortunately this has been delayed.

10. Approval of new members New member approved: Flygvapenmuseet in Linköping, Sweden.

11. The next annual conference Jærmuseet invited the NSCF to Jæren/Sandnes (in the Stavanger re- gion), Norway in October 2009.

12. Other matters ECSITE board NSCF thinks that there is to few women in the board of ECSITE. NSCF will promote the candidature of Eva Jonsson, Teknikens Hus, and request the Nordic science centres to vote for her at the next annual place (science centers, schools, meeting in ECSITE in Milan 4-6 June 2009. pre-schools…) she´s even more Workshop for communicators?. happy if she can meet groups of The board has discussed the possibility for common workshops for the teachers as well as groups of different occupational groups working in our science centres, for in- children. Berta knows that if the stance the communicators. The Norwegian communicators are plan- teachers get a proper Berta – ning a common workshop at Jærmuseet in January 2009. Could this chemistry - training - class, workshop include colleagues from the other Nordic countries? they´ll be having more fun with the kids, and will feel more se- 13. End of meeting cure with chemistry all together. Målfrid Snørteland, Secretary of the meeting NSCF – Nordiska Science Center Förbundet

! Right now, Berta is having chemistry -fun at Vitensenteret in Trondheim, Norway, meeting children and teachers. NSCF Newsletter - February 2009. Editor and layout: Nils Hornstrup Anna Gunnarsson ■ February 2, 2009 Copyright: NSCF - Nordic Science Centre Association.