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)

1. How Informal Science Education
Can Better Inform STEM Education
Wendy Sadler
Jonathan Longfellow
Eduardo de Cabezón
Facilitator: Tim Slingsby
#SciComm14Edu #SciComm14

2. 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

3. science made simple is working towards a wo
which STEM subjects are perceived as culturally
and enriching activities which can be shared
vi

4. 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

5. do we evaluate…?
of all SMS audiences are asked@scimadesimple
3%

6. @scimadesimple

7. “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

8. Who is the customer?
balancing our business model
@scimadesimple

9. UK

10. What we are….
• 7 owners dedicated science
communicators from varied
backgrounds….
• Moral backbone / social good
• Operating since 2006

11. What we are….

12. What we are….
• 320000 children in 2013
• 62 full time employees
• 305 part time
• Consistent growth

13. What we are….
• focused on getting children
interested and inspired by
science – ‘the world around
them’

14. What we are….
• positive role models for
children in schools
• trying to positively affect all
children’s lives

15. 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

17. 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

19. 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

20. What is our product?
•Focused on training,
development and
assessment of our team of
presenters
•We are a training company
•Deliver an effect

21. What we are….
• Predominantly children
<14
Science Education in Europe:
Critical Reflections
A Report to the Nuffield Foundation
Jonathan Osborne
Justin Dillon
King’s College London 2008

23. Of vital importance
•FUN

24. @TheBigVanTheoy
@edusadci
www.thebigvantheory.co
m

25. WHO ARE WE?

26. WHAT DO WE DO?

27. WHO IS OUR AUDIENCE?

28. WHO PAYS US?

29. ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?

30. WHAT IS OUR GOAL?

31. ARE WE SUCCESSFUL?

32. OTHER PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

33. @TheBigVanTheory
@edusadeci
www.thebigvantheory.com