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Keeping little Einsteins and Spielbergs busy this summer

01/08/2007

"The movies produced for the competition will keep young minds bright while they are away from the classroom and offer science teachers a valuable resource when the new school year starts."

'Planet Scicast' is a new competition that challenges people from all age groups and backgrounds to make mini movies of exciting science experiments. The contest has been designed to increase both science engagement and creativity in and outside of the classroom, and judges will be looking for self-made movies that depict interesting scientific facts or problems in a unique way.

Entries can be made from groups of all sizes any time up until 4th January 2008, making the summer holidays the perfect time to get a head start. Katie Walsh, Head of NESTA's Planet Science programme was keen to suggest parents set their kids the task of producing their own science movie "Hollywood-style" this holiday. She had the following top tips:

There is plenty of planning that goes into an Oscar-winning (or in this case SciCastie-winning) movie - kids will need to research ideas for experiments, recruit their cast, collect props and wardrobe, write the script and, rehearse scenes - and all before they start the filming process!
If they're in need of inspiration, they can take a look at some of the creative experiments already on the Planet SciCast site at www.planet-scicast.com - it's the YouTube of the science world. Whether it's the demonstration, in the style of a western, of why a can of drink fizzes and how it can be stopped or the 'elephant's toothpaste' chemical reaction, filmed as a silent movie - there's plenty to amuse and inspire.
For the filming, make sure everyone has a role - whether they're the person behind the camera or the one who shouts action - there's a lot they can learn from the process.
Make sure kids stick to the rules to impress the judges: films should be no more than two minutes and thirty seconds in length.
Make sure you stick to any safety advice given in the activity or experiment you choose and don't do anything that's dangerous - you want your audience to be entertained, not appalled!

Commenting on the competition, Katie Walsh said:

"Planet SciCast is an excellent way to keep kids (and adults) busy over the long summer months. It's important that we excite the nation about the way science actually works as well as encourage creative thinking. The movies produced for the competition will keep young minds bright while they are away from the classroom and offer science teachers a valuable resource when the new school year starts."

The Institute of Physics is the overall sponsor of the physics category which has the added challenge of entrants having to explain the physics featured in their films while The Institute of Biology and the Earth Science Education Unit will contribute with expertise and ideas, and help write up the demonstrations.

Full details and competition rules can be found at www.planetscicast.com.

NESTA spokespeople are available for comment and interview. Please contact our press office on 020 7438 9608.

NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts. With endowed funds of over £300 million, our mission is to transform the UK's capacity for innovation. We do this in three main ways: by working to build a more pervasive culture of innovation in this country; by providing innovators with access to early stage capital; and by driving forward research into innovation, with a view to influencing policy.

Planet Science
NESTA's Planet Science is a free popular online resource and newsletter for school students of science and their parents and teachers. It's a mix of interactive features, games and teachers materials designed to engage and inspire, and a free weekly e-newsletter to keep in touch with its audience.

The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB)
The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) is a registered charity that seeks to promote the vital contribution that scientists, engineers and technologists make to prosperity and quality of life.

The ETB works in partnership with business and industry, Government, education and the profession to improve the perception of science, engineering and technology in the UK.

The driving force behind these partnerships is the desire to ensure a supply of appropriately skilled individuals to meet the present and future SET skill needs of UK plc.