The Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills is running an event members of this forum may find interesting. Here’s the info:

Are you interested in inspiring the next generation of scientists? Are you a Second Life aficionado or would you just like a gentle introduction to virtual worlds? If so, this is the event for you.

Join us on 7th September at 18:00 hours British Summer Time at http://slurl.com/secondlife/UK%20Future%20Focus/128/128 to discuss the value of role models in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM for short. Do people choose to be role models? Or are role models famous people, perhaps from the past, that we admire from afar? Do young people need to be inspired in this way? Is there a benefit to business in enabling staff to take on dedicated role model or mentoring roles? How will the concept of the role model develop as we become more attuned to working collaboratively and virtually in online spaces and via social networks? And we want to know above all the answer to the question “Who Inspired You?”

Hear about organisations and individuals who are trying to inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers, and come prepared to share your experiences with a real British Science Festival audience in Guildford, and a Second Life audience.

To book a place, visit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/UK%20Future%20Focus/128/128