Another idea, another grant...

Ellen and Stuart applied for a small grants award (BBSRC, MRC, NERC), with a proposal to involve school children in the planning and devising of activities for a National Science Week event. They hit on the broader concept of engaging the PUBLIC AS COMMUNICATORS (PAC - as we fondly refer to it now) in the communicating of the science where the planning and devising of activities is an engagement event in its own right.

This 'Upstream engagement' can also be used by scientists to inform and set research priorities http://www.demos.co.uk/catalogue/paddlingupstream/