Brussels, 18 March 2002
A Commission-supported programme which brings together seven major European research organisations to highlight the indispensable role of science and technology in today's society will be launched by Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin on 22 March.
The 'Sci-Tech - Couldn't be without it!' programme, which will be launched at the Technopolis Science Museum in Brussels, aims to raise awareness of the fundamental research behind everyday objects which many people couldn't live without, such as antibiotics, CDs, contact lenses and laser printers.
The programme website includes an online survey to identify Europeans' top 10 technologies, and will provide information on the research which made some of today's key technologies possible. Teaching kits will also be developed to explain to students how their favourite gadgets work and how a career in science could help them contribute to the next generation of indispensable inventions. The results of the survey will be presented in a series of live Internet quiz shows during Science Week, from 4 to 10 November.
The project brings together seven key European research organisations - the European space agency (ESA), the European southern observatory (ESO), the European organisation for nuclear research (CERN), the European molecular biology laboratory (EMBL), the European molecular biology organisation (EMBO), the European fusion development agreement (EFDA), the European synchotron radiation facility (ESRF) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL).
The Sci-Tech event will coincide with the official inauguration of CERN's travelling exhibition 'E=mc2 - when energy becomes matter,' which will be on at the Technopolis museum until 20 July.
To access the Sci-Tech online voting and web resources, please consult the following web address:
CERN.ch/sci-tech"> CERN.ch/sci-tech" target="_blank"> http://www.CERN.ch/sci-tech
For further information on the Sci-Tech event, please contact:
Monica de Pasquale
Executive Coordinator
Tel: +41 22 767 3586
E-mail: CERN.ch" target="_blank"> monica.de.pasquale@CERN.ch
For further information on the 'When energy becomes matter' exhibition, please contact:
Veronique de Man
Technopolis Science Museum
Tel: +32 15 34 2020