When is a week not a week When

When is a week not a week? When it becomes a science programme at the IRISH LINEN CENTRE & LISBURN MUSEUM Gillian Topping Science programme Case study for NIMC 4/2/2014

Why we participate in this event? Increase visit numbers - Using nationally promoted event - Accessing their social media audiences - Listing our event on their website - Reaching a larger audience Evaluations -Learning/ adapting to the challenge - Shifting focus from arts & crafts Marketing tool - Increasing our programme recognition - Promoting our permanent exhibition & increasing footfall

FEATURED EVENT OF THE DAY SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION National Science & Engineering Week 2, 253 Facebook likes 9, 203 Followers on twitter Science Month 2013

Selling point to the school? -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

Education budget How can we afford to do it? Resources “Unfortunately my team didn’t win but it is all about having fun” KS 2 pupil • Play resource • Minimal budget £ 100/300 • Building on the resources the museums already has Marketing • Design completed in house – utilising staff skills • £ 100 for 5000 double sided A 4 colour flyers …“Working together as a team on the tower was great fun for the children” KS 1 Teacher Spaghetti tower challenge “My favourite thing of the day was making a marshmallow tower. Finally I can make my own house” KS 2 pupil

Resources for schools Individual workbooks …“The programme leaflet was colourful and attractive” KS 1 Teacher • Designed in house • Printed in house – colour booklet • Guide for children to take home & continue with extra experiments with their parents …“I was especially impressed with the science booklet – very child friendly and colourful “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” KS 1 Teacher KS 2 Teacher

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

Visitor statistics Visitor numbers for science workshops 2006 - 2013 Number of schools that have visited science workshops 2006 - 2013

TARGET AUDIENCE Northern Ireland Primary Schools Total schools 845 Lisburn 40 Antrim 25 Ards 30 Banbridge 23 Belfast 88 Carrickfergus 13 Castlereagh 18 Craigavon 32 Down 44 Newtownabbey 28 Schools by District Council 2012/13 North Down 18 www. deni. gov. uk Total schools in 20/30 mile radius 359