Science Museum Blog

Google’s Eric Schmidt extols the importance of Science Museums

May 23rd, 2012 | by | events, uncategorized

May
23

Tonight in front of an influential audience at our Imax theatre, Eric Schmidt discussed the importance of Science Museums.

Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt described the extraordinarily important role of museums in inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.  Eric Schmidt spoke passionately about why science matters “Science illuminates the world and gives us the building blocks to transform our lives. The fundamental advances in human industry – from building ships to building genomes, from spinning jennies to spinning quarks – have a foundation in science.”

 Expanding on why he had chosen to make his follow up to last year’s MacTaggart Lecture at the Science Museum in London, Schmidt said that “Museums do more than entertain and teach, they also open peoples eyes to career opportunities. The Museum we’re in today is a great illustration… It is a place to cherish, but more importantly a place to inspire. This is a remarkable venue, and I say that as someone who has visited a lot of museums.”

 “It is full of memories of so many inventions – indeed, so many British inventions…Today nearly 3 million people pass through its doors each year, two-thirds in groups with children.”

 When it comes to computer literacy, he listed a range of initiatives that have emerged since his MacTaggart lecture, including a report produced by NESTA and the Science Museum on the remarkable legacy of the BBC Micro project’s legacy and lessons for today. 

Mr Schmidt touched on two projects opening at the Science Museum which Google are supporting. The first is a new biographical exhibition about Alan Turing’s life and legacy opening on June 20th.  The second project is the development of a new exhibition about modern communications. The Gallery opens in 2014 and brings to life moments when the world changed dramatically through the invention of technologies such as the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable; the creation of the first digital electronic computer; the development of mobile communications and the advent of the World Wide Web.

 

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Legacy of the BBC Micro

May 23rd, 2012 | by | science news

May
23

Written by Tilly Blyth, Curator of Computing and Information

 

Today Nesta and the Science Museum are publishing a report on the legacy of the BBC Micro. Based on research at the BBC’s Written Archives Centre and the online public questionnaire we ran back in March 2012, the report looks at the legacy of computer and the BBC’s broader Computer Literacy Project. We received 372 responses to the questionnaire, with many people leaving detailed responses about their experiences of using computers in the 1980s and the influence it had on their subsequent careers paths.

Despite the BBC Micro being remembered as a schools machine, the report shows that the Computer Literacy Project initially aimed to improve adult computer literacy in the home. It was supported by a range of materials, distributed across a multitude of channels, and enabled local networks to deliver learning directly to many different audiences.

The report also highlights how the Computer Literacy Project had significant economic benefits, creating an increasingly skilled population and stimulating a high technology innovation cluster aroundCambridge. It suggests that any new initiatives which aim to increase computer literacy, such as the Raspberry Pi, should include the need for a strong vision for computer literacy, leadership to coordinate activities, and a desire to create change in the home as well as schools.

The report is available through the Nesta website:  www.nesta.org.uk

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Why Will Smith chose the Science Museum

May 17th, 2012 | by | science news

May
17

Will Smith meets a group of school children and Science Museum Director Ian Blatchford beside the Apollo 10 command module on a visit to the Science Museum, London.

 By Roger Highfield

Will Smith, Hollywood actor, producer and rapper, visited the Science Museum yesterday for a special charity premiere of Men in Black 3 for schoolchildren from diverse backgrounds.

The children gasped, cheered and waved when the two-time Oscar nominee walked into the museum’s packed IMAX theatre.

In a question and answer session before the premiere, the 43-year-old told the audience that he was keen that the event was in the Science Museum ‘because of my passion for math and science.’

‘I’m very excited to be here’ said Smith, who had earlier met the Director of the Science Museum Group, Ian Blatchford, next to the museum’s Apollo 10 command module.

Will Smith meets a group of school children and Science Museum Director Ian Blatchford beside the Apollo 10 command module on a visit to the Science Museum, London.

MIB3  features time travel back to 1969, when Apollo 10 staged the dress rehearsal for the first manned moon landing.

‘My best subject at school was math’ explained the star of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ What would have become of the Hollywood actor if he had not become a global celebrity?

Smith told the Science Museum audience that he would have gone into computer engineering.

As he left the Queen’s Gate entrance to the museum he waved at members of the British Science Association. ‘Will Smith loves science,” tweeted one.

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Science Museum History Open House – 16 June 2012

May 16th, 2012 | by | co-creation, events

May
16

Two musicians exploring an object from our collection of musical instruments during the Oramics to Electronica project. (Science Museum)

 

Are you an arts organisation in search of inspiration?

Is your local history society researching your science and technology heritage?

Or are you a patient group interested in the history of a medical profession or practice?

 

 The Science Museum wants to encourage community groups, enthusiast groups and local historians to use the museum’s resources as part of their historical research.

 The Museum has a vast collection of objects and archives representing the history of Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine in theUK. When we make exhibitions or carry out research, our collections, library and archive are an important source of information and inspiration. But access to these resources is not limited to Science Museum staff. We regularly support research by students and academics, but also subject enthusiasts and community groups.

 During the Science Museum History Open House  on Saturday 16 June we will give an introduction to the Science Museum’s collections and ways in which they can be accessed. You will hear about projects we have supported in the past and will have the opportunity to explore some of the objects and archive materials that might be relevant to you.

 There will also be a chance to find out more about the All Our Stories grant scheme. With this scheme the Heritage Lottery Fund wants to support community groups who want to explore, share and celebrate their heritage.

 

 Attendance is free, but places are limited. We advise that a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 members of your society or group attend.

Please register by sending an email to PublicHistory@sciencemuseum.org.uk.

To help us plan the event, please include the name of your group or society and specify your area of interest.

 

 Members of the British Vintage Wireless Society researching the museum’s collection of early radios. (Science Museum)

 

The Science Museum has a wide range of historic collections; from steam engine models, to planes, historic domestic appliances and medical equipment. More information about our collections can be found here.

 The Science Museum Library and Archives hold papers of individuals and companies, such as Charles Babbage, Sir Humphry Davy and Hooper & Co (coachbuilders), as well as original printed materials, such as books, papers and patents. Follow this link for more information.

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Make your own tape loop

March 19th, 2012 | by | oramics

Mar
19

tape

In the days before synthesisers, open source software and pirated soft-synths, electronic music pioneers had very few resources to create new and exciting sounds. The use and abuse of reel to reel tape players and the splicing of magnetic tape became a vital tool for musical exploration. Our latest blog post shows you how to make your own track using tape loops.

Read 'Make your own tape loop' »

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From the BBC micro to the Raspberry Pi: Campaigning for Computer Literacy

March 9th, 2012 | by | science news

Mar
09

Raspberry Pi Model B

Last week, a new computer was launched, and within seconds, not only sold out, but also crashed the website! The Raspberry Pi is a British designed device, roughly the size of a credit card and costing a miniscule £22. It has been designed to inspire a new generation of schoolchildren to learn about programming.

Read 'From the BBC micro to the Raspberry Pi: Campaigning for Computer Literacy' »

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