There's lots of things to take part in and see coming up in 2011 both with GIFT and at a location near you...here are some examples: 

The 2011 National Physical Laboratory Water Rocket Challenge

Will be held in Teddington, Middlesex on Wednesday 15th June 2011.The annual water-powered rocket challenges involve distance, altitude, landing accuracy, and length of flight.  There is a schools’ team competition event and an open team competition event.  See http://www.npl.co.uk/educate-explore/water-rocket-challenge/ for on-line registration.Similar events occur at the Welsh Water Rocket Challenge and Cheltenham Science Festival.  

Tate Britain 16th February-21st August 2011: WatercolourThe Tate Britain has mounted a superb, not-to-be-missed exhibition of the history of watercolour paining in Britain.         

For details see http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/watercolour/default.shtm 

Startups: Tenner Tycoon Competition 2011 The UK’s largest enterprise competition, Tenner Tycoon, has been launched with the support of Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones, to promote enterprise education in schools.

Up to 40,000 schoolchildren up to the age of 19 will have access to £10 from the Tenner Bank, enabling them to set up their own enterprise.  They will have one month to use this money to make a profit and also make a difference in their community, either by using profits to help the local community or by donating them to charity.  For how to enter see www.startups.co.uk/tenner-tycoon-competition 

The National Trust Poetry Landlines Competition 2011

Write a poem about Poetry and Place – there are two categories for under 16s and over 16s.   Each entrant is allowed to submit one poem only of no more than 20 lines by 31st March 2011.  Postal entries should be typed and sent to Landlines Poetry Competition Under 16 or 16 and Over, National Trust Magazine, Heelis, Kemble Dr., Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2NA or e-mailed to magazine@nationaltrust.org.uk labelled Landlines Poetry Competition with your  name, address, e-mail address written in capitals.  Postal entries cannot not be returned.  See www.nationaltryust.org.uk/poetryandplace 

The Royal Institution of Great Britain: Young Scientist Centre

Has a programme of half- and whole-day sessions on testing & making shampoo, extracting and analyzing DNA, building light generators, making bio-fuel, using a crash test rig, etc., for  school groups/ home-educated groups  See http://www.rigb.org/contentControl?action=displayContent&idAlso watch this website for details of the Young Scientist of the Year Award 2011.

GIFT Easter School 10-15 April 2011 for Years 7-13 in Grendon, Northamptonshire

GIFT Summer School 31 July-5 August 2011 for Years 7-13 in Grendon, Northamptonshire

GIFT Summer School 7-12 August 2011 for Years 7-13 in Grendon, Northamptonshire