MOSI-ALONG launch, 11 April 2011

We would like to invite you to the launch event for the MOSI-ALONG project, to be held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, from 2-7pm on Monday 11th April 2011.

MOSI-ALONG is a collaboration between the School of Education and Mimas, a Centre of Excellence, both at the University of Manchester, the Learning Skills Employment Network, and the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), funded by JISC.

Over the next few months, along with People’s Voice Media, we will be working with local community groups, encouraging them to tell their own stories about the artefacts, displays and other content in the MOSI collection. We intend to build an online ‘bridge’ between MOSI and the community using social media such as Facebook, Flickr, blogs and YouTube on which visitor stories can be presented. At the end of the project in late September we will organise a “myMOSI Showcase” festival at which participants can show off their own content, with prizes awarded for the best.

The 11th April event formally launches the project and starts us on the path of working with community members and MOSI to establish what each side of the ‘bridge’ wants from the tool – and from the project as a whole. Invited community members will have an opportunity to sign up on the day to become valued and active partners throughout the project, and a chance to use a range of social media tools and describe their experiences of MOSI.

Launch Event Agenda:

2:00: Welcome with tea, coffee and biscuits     
2:15: Introduction to the day (Drew Whitworth, School of Education, University of Manchester)
2:20: Introduction to MOSI (Antonio Benitez, MOSI)

2.30 – 4.30: Guided and informal tours of MOSI will take place, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the museum; there will also be a ‘Fair’ in which project members are available for questions, and visitors can look at displays about the project.

4:30: Social Media as a Tool for Community Engagement (Gary Copitch, People’s Voice Media)
4:50: Towards the Smart City (Dave Carter, Manchester Digital Development Agency)
5:10: Formal launch – the MOSI-ALONG project (Drew Whitworth)
5:30: Networking evening starts – wine & food
7.00: Close

It is not necessary to come to the whole event to get something out of the day. We understand some of you could only come earlier, before schools close or during the working day; some only later, when work has finished.

If you would like to come, please let us know via EventBrite http://mosialonglaunch.eventbrite.com/. Let us know whether you would like refreshments at the beginning of the day and/or wine & snacks at the end.

Yours,

Drew Whitworth, Fred Garnett & the MOSI-ALONG team.

Please contact Beth Powell on Beth.Powell@zoho.com with enquiries or for further information.

http://mosialong.wordpress.com/