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 budget How 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 Visitor numbers for science workshops Visitor statistics

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 Total schools 845 TARGET AUDIENCE Schools by District Council 2012/13 Total schools in 20/30 mile radius