Science: Awards will reflect the exciting world of the sciences

The Millennium Awards for bringing science to the public are the brainchild of the Royal Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. By the start of 1999, they will have distributed more than pounds 1million of Millennium Commission funds to projects which convey the excitement and everyday relevance of science. "We want to promote science as part of culture and bring science and people closer together," says Brian Gamble, the association's director of programmes.

There are no bounds to the unconventionality - or diversity - of the projects which have won awards, from drama to hands-on activities. No scientific phenomenon is too ordinary, or too exceptional, but all require scientists to team up with a community group to work together on a project. A timely pounds 12,500 award, for example, has been given to Professor John Parkinson, a Sheffield-based academic, to work with communities in Cornwall on safe ways of viewing the 1999 eclipse.

Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the oldest scientific society in the world. It is the independent scientific academy of the UK, and is dedicated to promoting excellence in science. For information about the Royal Society see their web site at: www.royalsoc.ac.uk

The British Association works through a wide programme of activities to change the image of science and convey its fascination. It organises an annual Festival of Science, a Young Investigators scheme for children, Visions for the Future conferences to bring together young people and experts, and the British Youth Science Fair. It also runs a speakers' bank, Talking Sciences+, and forums for science communicators.