Using Games Theory to explain benefits of Forgiveness

(This page is a work in progress - I will be updating it after the event for which it was created has actually occurred).
I'm planning an outreach activity for the Local Methodist Church's Messy Church family event. It involves showing how a branch of mathematics (Game Theory) can demonstrate the benefits of forgiveness in a game.
I'm using the classic Peace-War game.
The cards and the activities text for the game are downloadable from Dropbox, just follow the links. These are both in Adobe PDF format so you will need to install the free Acrobat Reader software if it is not already on your computer. I printed them, used a laminator and then cut the cards up. Despite printing a pattern on the other side, the cards came out a little transparent for my liking. I'd suggest printing on some lightweight coloured card rather than white paper.

Magnificent Women (Stixx Project) - calling women engineers...

As part of our 95th year anniversary celebrations at the Women's Engineering Society we have a schools outreach event called Magnificent Women (and their flying machines) that we are delivering for the first time on 14 March 2014 in London, which uses Stixx (rolled up newspaper) to build aircraft wing structures, to replicate the work that women did during the First World War. I am looking for some experienced helpers for this event who could help me to deliver it to a hundred or so school students. Bizarre request, I know, but any help would be gratefully received.
Beyond this first event we are looking to deliver this activity more widely to schools in the UK, so if you can't make it to London on 14 March but would be willing to get involved at other schools throughout the year then let me know. Further details can be found here http://www.wes.org.uk/magnificent
Additionally, we are looking for women aerospace or aeronautical engineers to complete the activity by speaking to the school students about the work that they currently do, so if you are a woman aerospace engineering willing to get involved then please let me know.

Dawn Bonfield office@wes.org.uk

Science Communication Masterclass (for Scientists) at UEA

Come and meet some engagement practitioners in a free lunchtime masterclass session: Tuesday February 11^th – MED 1.02 – 12.00-1.30pm

Dr Laura Bowater (Norwich Medical School) MED & Dr Kay Yeoman (School of Biological Sciences)

A masterclass on engagement with schools (e.g. Kay’s mobile family science lab) and on their publication, ‘Science Communication: a practical guide for scientists’

Science communication is a rapidly expanding area and meaningful engagement between scientists and the public requires effective communication. Designed to help the novice scientist get started with science communication, this unique guide begins with a short history of science communication before discussing the design and delivery of an effective engagement event. Along with numerous case studies written by highly regarded international contributors, the book discusses how to approach face–to–face science communication and engagement activities with the public while providing tips to avoid potential pitfalls. This book has been written for scientists at all stages of their career, including undergraduates and postgraduates wishing to engage with effective science communication for the first time, or looking to develop their science communication portfolio.

http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-111999313X.html?cid=RSS_WILEY2_CHEMISTRY

PUBLICATION: Kay Yeoman, ‘Keeping it in the family’

http://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/1006177/1325318/Keeping+it+in+the+family/384a8946-d9cd-42b7-b9d6-eb7f5b5ba618

Book your place by Tuesday 4^th February: community@uea.ac.uk

Funding for school STEM activities...

Teachers & Head teachers please note this opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity for students to take part in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) activity and help integrate STEM enrichment in school practice between February and July 2014, to be chosen from those listed on the STEM Directories.

STEM Directories?

The STEM Directories are an easy way to find Enhancement and Enrichment (E&E) opportunities to support your science, engineering, design and mathematics teaching. Some schemes bring exciting activities into your school, others can provide a memorable day out for your students or a nationwide competition to help motivate your science club. They might involve bringing a real scientist, engineer or mathematician into the classroom, give your students access to equipment not readily available or simulate real-life applications of science and technology. Many schemes can provide supporting teaching materials to help get the most of the activity.

You can also read comments left by other teachers who have used the scheme and rate schemes that you have hosted

The Royal Institution is currently administering a STEM grants scheme, generously supported by The Causeway Foundation. We are offering grants of up to £500 for eligible state-funded schools or academies in the UK to take part in an activity from the STEM Directories (www.stemdirectories.org.uk) before July 2014.

Round one is now open and will close on Friday 31 January at 5pm. For more information and to apply, visit the STEM Directories website.

Please ensure you have read the grant terms thoroughly, particularly the eligibility criteria and the guidance on what to include in your application. Please note that if you are successful, the grant will be paid directly to your chosen activity provider. Priority will be given to schools meeting certain criteria; please see the grant terms for more details.

If you have any questions that are not covered by the grant terms, please email maths@ri.ac.uk.

Best wishes,

Sam

Samantha Durbin

Clothworkers' Associate in Mathematics (Secondary)

Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS

e. sdurbin@ri.ac.uk

t. 020 7670 2915

www.rigb.org

www.richannel.org

"Yuri's Day" public event (Norwich Astronomical Society) on 12th April 2014

This may be of interest to Norfolk residents interested in Astronomy & Space:-
I am happy so say the Norwich Astronomical Society will be hosting a public event to celebrate the first ever trip into space by Yuri Gagarin.
Although celebrated across the world, “Yuri’s Night” is not generally recognised in the West and this will be the first time a UK Astronomical Society has ever celebrated Yuri Gagarin’s momentous flight.

Currently there are 357 affiliated Yuri’s Night star parties across 57 countries … we are proud to be one of them! Our event, “Yuri’s Day” is to take place on Saturday 12th April at Seething Observatory near Norwich.

The day is split into two parts. It will have a children’s’ day-time event from 2-6pm where schools and organisations will be actively involved providing activities and talks for other children with the Society acting as a ‘facilitator’ for the event. If possible we will provide solar telescopes for viewing the sun and there will be access to the conventional telescopes and facilities for demonstrations. Needless to say, the somewhat infamous rocket launching session is already booked!  In the evening from 7pm there will be a more adult approach with a lecture given by Dr David Balcombe, viewing of the stars through the Society’s telescopes and general access to the Society’s facilities.

More information will be forthcoming as the event develops.

Andy Gardiner
Chairman
Norwich Astronomical Society
(http://www.norwichastro.org.uk/)