Community & Vocational Committee

Excitement of Science Information for Rotary Clubs

Now in its 10th year – this is a hugely successful community service project between Rotary International in Britain & Ireland and the Royal Institution in Great Britain.

The Royal Institution invites any school (pupils aged 13 to 18) to join their science researchers, collecting original data to help inform the latest scientific developments. Once registered, schools will then have access to scientific data via the internet and this will be used by the pupils to form their research and carry out experiments. Data collected by individual schools between February and May 2011 will be analysed and then presented at the famous Royal Institution in London in June 2011. The Grand Finale programme for the day begins with a light-hearted demonstration of some explosive, yet challenging chemistry by a scientist having no obvious fear of explosives or of the finger-depleting properties of liquid nitrogen! This is then followed up with a discussion of the results collected, and the audience is invited to contribute their hypotheses for discussion by the research scientists.

Priority for tickets to the Grand Finale will be given to actively participating school students and their teachers. Students who are not able to attend can take part over the Internet as the Excitement of Science website will be used to webcast the activities taking place in the Faraday Theatre. It is hoped that teachers will use the webcasts both to include groups that took part in the research project, and to support their teaching in general to best suit their needs. Rotary and the Royal Institution are providing the teaching tool, it is for the teaching professionals to decide how to use it.

TIMELINE:

January 2011 - Registration begins via www.excitementofscience.org
(Note: schools AND Rotary Clubs must all register)

February 2011 - Schools commence research and data collection phase

June 2011 - Grand Finale at the Royal Institution, London

BENEFITSVocational Service by encouraging young people to become enthusiastically involved in science, also linking with local schools which may provide opportunity for Clubs to introduce other Rotary projects to schools. Community Service as it helps to raise awareness of Rotary both in the schools and also in the local community if you publicise this project in the local media after the event - adding a short paragraph about Rotary and how the readers can get involved could lead to potential members expressing an interest in Rotary.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  • More information on the Excitement of Science website (above)

  • Contact local secondary schools

  • Schools AND Rotary Club must both register on-line

  • Inform District 1220 E of S contact – Rtn Mike Rhodes (RC of Newark Castle) at mikerhodes@allerayde.co.uk so he can keep you up to date with info and arrange tickets

  • Keep regular contact with school

  • After the event you could organise a presentation at your link school – Science department staff can be asked to put together a presentation involving the pupils carrying out experiments and giving their feedback to invited parents, friends and Rotarians on their experience of the Excitement of Science project. As a Rotary Club you could fund a buffet for parents and pupils to enjoy following the evening presentation.

Rtn Sandra Morrey, D1220 Co-Ordinator Community & Vocational Service 10-11
December 2010
Contact Sandra via APAC or call 0115 9231092 or 07966171261
 

 
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