There’s not long left now for scientists to sign up for the next I’m a Scientist events in June. Please pass this email onto scientists who might be interested, or squeeze information into any newsletters you may have planned in the next week.

How? Scientists apply here: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply
When? Apply by Tuesday 8th May
Who? Anyone! We’re also particularly looking for scientists for themed zones: Animal Behaviour, Earth, Genes, Laser, Materials, Nanotechnology & Organs.

What?
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! is an online event where students get to meet and interact with real scientists. It’s an X Factor-style competition between the scientists, where students are the judges. Scientists answer questions from the students on anything and everything and have live online Facebook-style chats with the students, developing communication skills. The students vote for their favourite scientist, who wins £500 to spend on science communication.

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! – June 2012

We are running the main event twice this summer. The first will run from June 11th to June 22nd, the second from June 25th to July 6th, to give more schools a chance to take part. There will be general zones with a broad mix of scientists and themed zones from Animal Behaviour to Nanotechnology , the full list is here: imascientist.org.uk/2012/04/apply-now-to-take-part-in-june-2012-events.

Apply to take part in the June event by Tuesday 8th May here

- imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply

I’m a Scientist, In The Zone! – any week from NOW until July 6th

I’m a Scientist, In the Zone! is designed to compliment the Wellcome Trust’s In the Zone science investigation kits, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’re looking for scientists studying the mind and body in motion, from the nutritional needs of marathon runners, to the bioengineering of knee replacements and the psychology of teamwork. We are running 7-11 Primary and 11-19 Secondary school Zones from April 23rd to July 6th. Scientists can sign up now and select their available weeks. Students can ask scientists questions, read scientists’ answers and vote through to the end of the event.

Apply to take part in I’m a Scientist, In the Zone! event here

- inthezone.imascientist.org.uk/for-scientists

If you’ve got any questions give me a ring on 01225 326892 or drop me an email at rosie@gallomanor.com.

Rosie and the I’m a Scientist team

01225 326892
rosie@gallomanor.com

I’m a Scientist | imascientist.org.uk
I’m an Engineer | imanengineer.org.uk
Decipher my Data | deciphermydata.org.uk
Follow us on twitter | twitter.com/#!/imascientist

If you would like to volunteer in such events please fill out the form at:

https://db.stemnet.org.uk/register/ambassador

STEMnet offer free training sessions and CRB checks and events which are emailed out monthly.

To register your interest in further outreach opportunities please email maggie@ukseds.org

We hope to be getting as many UKSEDs members involved in outreach as possible in the near future.

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 5 May 2012.

Full details are given can be found on the BIS website

A few years ago Jim started a project called Space in Africa, he and a small team produced/contributed to the following reports:

http://isulibrary.isunet.edu/opac/doc_num.php?explnum_id=200

http://www.spacerenaissance.org/ASRC/

http://www.espi.or.at/index.php?option=com_content&id=21

However Jim is no longer able committee time to this research and would like to pass the baton over to the next generation – that means you.

If you’re interested I advise dropping him an email.

For those of you who don’t know, I was going to write a description of Farnborough here, however as I’ve never been and I’m lazy – I copy and pasted Wikipedia instead (well who doesn’t!)

The Farnborough International Airshow is a seven-day international trade fair for the aerospace industry which is held in even-numbered years in mid-July at Farnborough Airfield in Hampshire, England. With 1,300 exhibitors and regular visitors over the 100k mark – there really isn’t a much bigger show you could be involved in!

The programme for the futures day (Friday) will look something like this:

10:00 – 10:15 Opening Ceremony in the Innovation Zone with Jem Stansfiled (Bang Goes the Theory)

10:30 – 12:30 A series of Pre-bookable workshops and presentations in the Space Zone

10:0 – 17:00 Outdoor and Indoor Exhibits open

12:30 and 13:30 Tri-nation Rocketry Lunch gidplay

12:30 – 17:00 Air Display

15:00 – 15:30 Rocketry presentations

16:30 – Close

Volunteers will get time to explore and lunch provided as well the as free tickets to the show (you’ll have to provide your own accommodation if you want to stay for the weekend).  If you’re interested please email ‘Exec@ukseds.org‘ to register and get involved!

We also have a Facebook event - Get on it to receive regular updates and more info

Membership details are outlined in the Rules & Regulations which can be changed by the committee  at any time (as opposed to the constituion, which requires referenda) but it was felt that this change was sufficiently far reaching that the outgoing committee should seek a mandate from the members to advise the incoming to make the necessary changes. An indicative vote was held at the opening to AGM.

The changes were proposed by the outgoing UKSEDS Treasurer, Damian Rumble – he outlined the motivation for changes as follows:

• Fees, of any value, only act as a barrier for membership – given falling membership and students cutting back on spending this is only going to hinder growth.
• Existing record suggest that total revenue from all fees accounts for about 40% of UKSEDS income, of which Branch fees account for about 25% of this.
• The whole left by removing these fees is estimated at £400 – a figure dwarfed by sponsorship contributions.
• A consequence of this action will result in all members of our branches becoming members by default – boosting numbers, which in turn increases turn out at our events and  encourages wider participation by sponsors -  hence producing a virtuous circle.

There was considerable discussion and excitable chatter by conference goers – during which some points and queries were addressed, specifically concerning the nature of the conference which was previously funded by fees and free for members. Under the new proposals, it’s likely that qualifying members would be charged a fee for the conference, but this would not be any more that previous fee level.

Following discussion, the members voted unaminously to support these proposals. The new committee has now carried out the members wishes and updated the Rules and Regs. But what does this mean for you?

• Upon joining your local UKSEDS affiliated branch, you can apply to join UKSEDS for free.
• Alternatively when your branch committee submits its membership lists to the Secretary of UKSEDS (secretary@ukseds.org) you will be signed up to UKSEDS (you can subsequently opt out if you wish).
• Members who are not members of a branch or are not students will still be required to pay the full student membership fee (£15) or Professional membership fee (£30).
• All members who joined and renewed at this years conference will not be entitled to a refund as theses changes were not law at the time.
• Branches can now advertise ‘free UKSEDS membership’ as part of the fresher fairs campaigns.
• Anyone who would care to take a look can find an updated version of the constitution here.

On behalf of the 2012/13 UKSEDS committee I hope you enjoy your new found financial freedoms that comes from being members of our branches!

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 5 May 2012.

Anyone who is interested should click here for full details.

Good luck!

The positions of Events, Website, PR and Membership Officer were not filled and we are currently looking for volunteers to co-opt onto the committee to fill these posts.

The Committee page will be updated shortly providing further information about your new committee.

Minutes of the AGM will also be posted shortly.

Talks so far this morning

Jeremy Curtis from the UK Space Agency

Simon Feast and Jeremy Nickless from Reaction Engines Ltd

Keith Muirhead from HE Space

Carol Norburg from Umia University

Dr David Ashford from Bristol Space Planes.

We are now at lunch!

If you can’t make it then watch this space for updates during the day or follow us on our Facebook Page or Twitter #uksedsconference2012.