1.  BACKGROUND

  1.1  The Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, is one of two small science centres operated by Science Projects Ltd. Science Projects is a company with charitable status dedicated to the promotion of science to everyone through the conception, design and construction of high quality hands-on exhibits and exhibitions. The vision to create hands-on scientific learning was started by the General Director Stephen Pizzey as a set of travelling exhibits that toured the UK. In the early nineties the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in Herstmonceux became available for lease. Negotiations continued over a period of time with agreement finally being reached in early 1995. At the same time an historic medieval church became available in Norwich, and plans were rapidly progressed to establish the Inspire Science Centre there and get both sites up and running in time for the 1995 season. This was duly achieved, with both venues enjoying a successful start.

Please note that a separate submission by Science Projects Ltd is being made to the enquiry.

  1.2  As Science Projects enters its second decade it has moved on from the establishment of a travelling exhibition, to permanent educational scientific facilities. Situated in a once internationally renowned scientific institution, The Observatory Science Centre affords a unique visitor experience among the historic domes and telescopes. Over the last two years the centre has attracted in the region of 100,000 visitors with the number increasing year by year. Visitors are the life blood of the centre and we rely on their attendance to maintain the facility and its activities.

  1.3  Currently the centre has in the region of 100 fully interactive hands-on science exhibits with permanent themes of Time, Forces, Earth and beyond, Optics and the giant outdoor exhibits in the Discovery Park. A grant from Re-Discover, match funded by Science Projects Ltd, has helped to upgrade existing exhibits and add new ones including a new Water Planet theme. This is complemented by the non-permanent exhibits that are changed periodically to maintain a fresh feel and offer the returning visitor a different experience. These travelling exhibits are based around the themes of, The Senses, Puzzles and Illusions, Medieval Machines, Risk, Sound, Feel the Force, Light and Optics and Life.

  1.4  In addition to the hands-on exhibits, when the doors closed to the Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux in 1990 the six very distinctive green domes, were left with their original telescopes still intact. With a substantial grant from The National Heritage Lottery plus additional funding from Science Projects Ltd, an extensive programme of repair was begun. Four years later, in 2004 the ambitious project was completed and the Equatorial group, as the telescopes were known, was brought back to life. The buildings have now been given the status of a Grade II* listed monument and all the domes have been restored to working order with shutter mechanisms and dome rotation fully working in 5 of the 6 domes. The sixth dome is now home to the "Domes of Discovery" exhibition which was also part funded by the Heritage Lottery as part of the restoration. The 38-inch "Congo-Schmidt" telescope, which was never used due to flaws in the optics, forms an impressive centre piece. Alongside the history, the exhibition includes historic glassware and hands-on exhibits. A lens is on display which was used in one of the 20th century's pivotal scientific events, the successful testing of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity during a total eclipse of the Sun in 1919.

  1.5  Following restoration the centre is proud and very fortunate to be able to use the historic telescopes as part of the special events and activity programme offered to the public. Telescope tours are also conducted during the day and show the operation of the domes and shutters. During 2005 the centre was invited to join a European consortium of partners in a fully funded EU project, SkyWatch. The initiative was based around the use of robotic telescopes and built a website with astronomy related resources and ran a major schools project. In conjunction with this initiative the centre was invited to take part in the e-ten project DSpace, building a network of robotic telescopes throughout Europe. Funding was 50% EU and 50% Science Projects.

  1.6  On a daily basis, as part of the visitor experience, the centre engages the public through the hands-on exhibits, exhibitions, telescope tours and science shows, which are all offered at no additional cost to the entrance fee. Supplementing the daily visitor experience there is a programme of special events and activities. These are booked in advance and paid for by the participants to cover operational costs and consumables.

  1.7  The education programme for schools and colleges is a vital part of the operation from The Observatory Science Centre. In 2006, school visits accounted for 38% of the total visitor number.

2.  SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME

2.1  Astronomy related events

  2.1.1  Two three week star search evening courses (for spring and autumn constellation recognition). These mainly attracts adults but has had several teenage participants.

  2.1.2  A 12 week beginners astronomy and space course aimed at adults and young people, which introduces the basic techniques used in astronomy, the solar system, cosmology, comets and meteorites, life and death of stars and much more.

  2.1.3  The annual Herstmonceux Science Centre Astronomy Festival, which is held over a weekend and includes camping under the backdrop of the telescope domes. The festival is in its third year and has been extremely popular. The aim is to raise funds for the maintenance of the telescopes and domes and activities include viewing through the telescopes, lectures, trade stalls, amateur astronomy societies, tours around the Space Geodesy Facility (a NERC funded research establishment in the grounds of Herstmonceux castle), amateur radio demonstrations and a family activity fun day when children get involved with astronomy related activities.

  2.1.4  Themed evenings based around meteor showers and specific events such as anniversaries (eg 50th anniversary of Sputnik 1). These include food, a lecture and viewing through the telescopes or a comprehensive tour of the telescopes depending on the weather.

  2.1.5  Open evenings for viewing through the telescopes. These evenings are attended by volunteers from the local astronomical society who use their own and the centres small telescopes to complement the large telescopes and impart their knowledge and experience. Special offer family evenings encourage the younger generation to participate in astronomy. These evenings are not booked in advance and are charged at the usual entrance fee.

2.2  Children's activities for the school holidays

  2.2.1  Workshops: Half day practical activities covering a broad spectrum of subjects for 6-10 year olds. There is a strong element of "make and take" activities. Materials have been donated by the companies Tobar and Commotion.

  2.2.2  Science Experience Days (6-10 years) and Discovery Days (11 years and up): These cover a broad range of science topics from chemistry to physics and astronomy and deal with topical subjects including global warming. Participants spend all day at the centre and are immersed in scientific learning through practical activities.

  2.2.3  Science Demonstration Carts: The centre currently has two demonstration carts, one based on ecology and one on physics with comet making. These are mobile units that are moved around the site and will form part of the outreach programme as funds are sought to expand the activities and include teaching resources.

  2.2.4  Drop-Ins: Charged at £1 extra per child above the usual entrance fee, the Zany Zone is aimed to encourage family participation in simple science experiments with a "make and take" element. The extra fee helps to cover the cost of consumables. Other materials have been donated by B&Q.

  2.2.5  All the above activities for children are run by members of staff, helped by volunteers including retired scientists, engineers and teachers.

2.3  Other activities

  2.3.1  Scouting and Guiding groups: The centre offers many specific badge work activities for all scouting and guiding groups. These are charged at £1 per child in addition to their reduced entrance fee in order to cover staff and consumables. The Observatory was one of a few selected centres to be involved with SciZmic (The Science Discovery Clubs Network) which allocated funding for "Go for It" themed activity days for guides.

  2.3.2  Birthday Parties: A party lasts for three hours and includes full access to the hands-on exhibits, a traditional birthday tea, a guided tour into one of the domes and a 30 minute fun science activity. The minimum number is 8 children with 1 adult free of charge per 4 children.

  2.3.3  Challenge activity weekend as part of National Science Week (NSW): For 2007 the theme was Engineering Challenge to fit in with NSW. Children were able to construct a large Geodesic structure using newspaper and smaller ones using pipe cleaners and straws.

  2.3.4  Corporate Days and Team Challenges: The Science centre offers a choice of spaces for private meetings and can include catering and a variety of team challenge activities. The centre can also be hired privately for evening functions.

  2.3.5  The centre is accessible to wheelchairs. Special schools, colleges and adult groups aimed at all disabilities, choose to visit the centre throughout the season, as they find that the exhibits etc are suitable for all levels and abilities.

  2.3.6  A broad spectrum of groups visit the centre aside from those just interested in science and astronomy—from students studying drama, photography, architecture, to U3A, PROBUS, and groups looking for a unique venue for a day out eg.South East Veteran Car Club.

  2.3.7  The south east is a popular area for language schools catering for students from France, Germany, Austria, Holland etc. Many of these language schools bring their groups to the centre. With future funding, it is hoped that resource material could be translated.

  2.3.8  The centre is also becoming more involved with community outreach, taking science shows to local festivals and fayres.

3.  EDUCATION PROGRAMME

  3.1  The centre can accommodate up to 200 students per day with a programme of: Hands-on exhibits indoors and out, bridge building workshops, tours of the telescopes incorporating KS links, science shows, specific workshops, team challenges and twilight visits.

  3.2  An enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers now ensure that the centre is open to school groups for most of the year. Volunteers come from across the range of industry, retired teachers, teacher trainees and graduates. The centre also takes Year 10 work experience students from senior schools across the region.

  3.3  The education programme is currently primarily for KS1 & KS2, but does extend into KS3 and beyond. We have worked throughout the year with specific requests from Gifted and Talented groups, and also aim each year to offer a new programme of workshops and science shows for National Science Week. Team Challenges have been specifically introduced for KS3 to enable students to work together with science based activities, but maintaining a fun approach. KS3 students leave the centre realising that science can be fun.

  3.4  The restoration of the telescopes enabled us to offer twilight visits to schools, giving students the unique opportunity to observe through these historic telescopes.

  3.5  The centre attracts a mix of types of schools from across the south east of England (East & West Sussex, Surrey, Kent), and geographically schools will travel up to two hours (each way) to visit the centre. Plus, schools from across the country also stay locally on residential summer camps, and include a visit to the centre. The centre welcomes special needs students, and all carers are admitted free of charge.

  3.6  Teenagers from the local 6th Form College in Eastbourne have attended specific workshops which have been tailored to their needs through consultation with group organisers. These projects have included the "Step on Project" and "Entry to Employment".

  3.7  Children from home educated groups also use the centre as a venue for a day out, frequently booking specific workshops etc and attending as an educational group.

  3.8  Liaising with teachers and listening to their feedback, the centre launched an outreach programme in 2005 with a small number of lively, interactive science shows suitable for KS1 & KS2. The outreach launch was only possible with the purchase of a suitable vehicle, which was purchased through Gift Aid contributions. The aim is to expand upon the number of shows for these Key Stages, following teacher consultation and also to develop outreach suitable for KS3. To assist teachers as much as possible we aim to develop workshops, support materials and kit boxes, but funding will be essential for this development (Ref paragraph 5.1). For 2007 we are also linking the popular travelling exhibits, Science Works to our outreach programme.

  3.9  With particular reference to outreach shows and workshops, we are working with a local special needs college and a small children's charity, to ensure that we can deliver a programme which will be suitable for all levels and abilities.

  3.10  The centre is linked with Setpoint Sussex, and all staff and volunteers are registered Science and Engineering Ambassadors. It is also linked with Creative Partnerships which expanded to the south east of England in 2005, and through CP we are currently working on a project with the students at our local community college in Battle, East Sussex. 2007 also saw a successful consortium bid to Ecsite UK with DFES funding. This partnership links the OSC with The Science Museum, London and Techniquest, Cardiff to develop a pilot model for the training of outreach presenters and all associated show materials, teacher resources etc.

4.  CURRENT FUNDING

  4.1  The centre is currently self funding with income generated from visitor admissions, venue hire, a well stocked shop, café and the outreach programme. In 2006 the centre received over 52,000 visitors, with shows and workshops going out to approximately 2,000 KS1 and KS2 students through the outreach programme. Community outreach is a new initiative hoping to communicate science to many more people through activities at festivals and fayres.

  4.2  Funding for new projects needs to be sought through granting bodies, charitable trusts and foundations. In the past PPARC (now STFC) have part funded activities. The next big expansion venture is to seek funding for a planetarium/auditorium (space theatre) and laboratory.

  4.3  With the change to Gift Aid regulations from April 2006, the centre decided to launch a Membership Scheme and "Friends of". We continue to promote this as much as possible as it enables us to continue to participate with Gift Aid. Similarly with donations which are received from visitors etc.

  4.4  The centre has a loyal group of volunteers, which help to keep staff costs down. Tasks include general maintenance and cleaning during volunteer evenings, helping with school visits, public telescope tours, workshops, SEDs, Discovery Days, open evenings and the astronomy festival.

5.  GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

  5.1  The Observatory Science Centre is a small scale organisation that manages to be financially self sustaining with minimal external funding. Income is generated from a variety of activities but funding must be sought for any new initiatives or major exhibit refurbishment. If access to funds were available from central Government, this would be used to underpin the educational and outreach programme ensuring the long term future of the organisation and continuity, with expansion, of a service which is very much in demand and very important to schools.

6.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  6.1  Jo Harris studied Social Geography at Leicester University. After graduation she joined J Sainsbury plc. working through their management training programme. Following a career break, she worked in education at a local primary school. She joined The Observatory Science Centre in 2000.

  6.2  Sandra Voss studied Animal Physiology and Nutrition at Leeds University before studying for a PhD in reproductive Physiology at The Royal Veterinary College, London University. She carried on research and teaching at The Veterinary College as a research associate and later lecturer. She joined The Observatory Science Centre in 2003.

June 2007