at the

IRISH LINEN CENTRE & LISBURN MUSEUM

Gillian Topping Science programme Case study for NIMC 4/2/2014

When is a week not a week?When it becomes a science programme

Why we participate in this event?

- Using nationally promoted event

- Accessing their social media audiences

- Listing our event on their website

- Reaching a larger audience

Increase visit numbers

Marketing tool

- Increasing our programme recognition

- Promoting our permanent exhibition & increasing footfall

Evaluations

-Learning/ adapting to the challenge

- Shifting focus from arts & crafts

FEATURED EVENT OF THE DAY

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

2,253 Facebook likes

9,203 Followers on twitter

National Science & Engineering Week

Science Month

2013

-FREE EVENT helping schools combat cost issues – such as bus hire

-Adapting to the schools needs, providing workshops that are not practical for the class environment

- Utilising museums resources and staff skill base

- Tailoring workshops to groups

age, ability, learning style

Selling point to the school?

Education budgetHow can we afford to do it?

• Play resource

• Minimal budget £100/300

• Building on the resources the museums already has

Spaghetti tower challenge

…“Working together as a team on the tower was great fun for the children”KS1 Teacher

“Unfortunately my team didn’t win but it is all about having fun”KS2 pupil

Resources

Marketing

• Design completed in house – utilising staff skills

• £100 for 5000 double sided A4 colour flyers

“My favourite thing of the day was making a marshmallow tower. Finally I can make my own house”KS2 pupil

Individual workbooks

“Hands on activities that the children really enjoyed – pitched at a great level for the children. The work books to take away was good to be able to show parents and discuss activities back at school”

KS2 Teacher

…“I was especially impressed with the science booklet – very child friendly and colourful KS1 Teacher

…“The programme leaflet was colourful and attractive”KS1 Teacher

Resources for schools

• Designed in house

• Printed in house – colour booklet

• Guide for children to take home & continue with extra experiments with their parents

Building on existing staff skills• Good enthusiastic team with a varied range of backgrounds

Number of schools that have visited science workshops 2006 - 2013

Visitor numbers for science workshops 2006 - 2013

Visitor statistics

ARDS

NORTH DOWN

CASTLEREAGH

CARRICKFERGUSNEWTOWNABBEY

BELFAST

LARNE

MOYLE

BALLYMENA

BALLYMONEY

MAGHERAFELT

COOKSTOWN

COLERAINE

BANBRIDGE

LISBURN

NEWRY and MOURNE

DOWNARMAGH

DUNGANNON

DERRY LIMAVADY

STRABANE

OMAGH

ANTRIM

CRAIGAVON

FERMANAGH

District Councils in Northern Ireland

Crown copyright 2005. Reproduced from Ordnance survey map of NI.

Northern Ireland Primary Schools

Lisburn 40

Antrim 25

Ards 30

Banbridge 23

Belfast 88

Carrickfergus 13

Castlereagh 18

Craigavon 32

Down 44

Newtownabbey 28

North Down 18

359

Total schools 845

TARGET AUDIENCE

Schools by District Council 2012/13www.deni.gov.uk

Total schools in 20/30 mile radius