16 September, 2002 Press releases

Pr Number 11/2002 **Antarctic Waves** has been nominated for two BAFTA Interactive Entertainment awards, in the Factual and Offline Learning categories. A unique ?toolkit? to make cool music from hot science is now available for music teachers. Two years in production, Antarctic Waves is the first interactive CD teaching resource that introduces students to the excitement of Antarctic science through music composition. Using a medium normally associated with computer games, Antarctic Waves is designed to inspire composition in an entertaining way and yet still meet the needs of students and teachers by complementing UK music curricula for 11-19 year olds. Through a virtual tour of Antarctica students can surf through a glacier, follow a wandering albatross in search of food, play a fishing game, explore the ocean, sky or space in five interactive areas, each with detailed composing guides and top tips. Antarctic Waves is the result of an extraordinary collaboration between creative multi-media experts Braunarts and British Antarctic Survey in association with the Philharmonia Orchestra. It is funded by NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). Leading scientists, composers, music educationalists and software programmers pooled their talents to produce this ground-breaking resource. Secondary school music teachers across the country will receive instructions on how to claim a free copy of Antarctic Waves.

NOTES FOR EDITORS: Review copies of Antarctic Waves are available from the BAS Press Office. **Antarctic Waves** has been nominated for two BAFTAS. The BAFTA Award Ceremony is held in London on 10 October 2002. The criteria for the categories are as follows: Factual The most imaginative use of interactivity to explore the factual world. This year, news has been included in this category for the first time – but whole news services are not eligible, only presentations of specific stories or well defined subjects. Good factual titles and services are likely to be entertaining and educational, though not tailored to any specific curriculum. Factual includes: current affairs, politics, economics, history, arts, music, news stories or subjects, science and technology. Offline Learning The most effective use of offline interactive media for education. This category will recognise creativity and innovation in both academic and “lifelong” learning delivered via any form of offline media. We are looking for applications written for DVD, DVD-ROM, games consoles, and public space installations (eg museum exhibitions with interactive displays) that use their medium imaginatively to engage the target user and to teach through specific use of interactivity. Photography Broadcast quality video and stills of students using Antarctic Waves are available from the BAS Press Office. Antarctic Waves was launched on 10 September at the British Association Science Festival in Leicester. Music teachers at all UK secondary schools where GCSE or A-level music, or equivalent, is taught will be sent details of how to claim a free copy of Antarctic Waves. Subsequent copies are available for purchase. Prices start at ?39.20 per CD, reducing to ?8.20 per CD when ordering 15 or more. Antarctic Waves is a spin-off from a joint commission by BAS and the Philharmonia Orchestra of a new Antarctic Symphony, by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. In 1997 the composer visited Antarctica with BAS. The symphony had its World Premi? at the Royal Festival Hall, London in May 2001. General information about British Antarctic Survey British Antarctic Survey (BAS) undertakes a world-class programme of science in the Antarctic and related regions, addressing key global and regional issues through research, survey and monitoring. BAS also helps to discharge the UK’s international responsibilities under the Antarctic Treaty System. British Antarctic Survey is part of the Natural Environment Research Council. British Antarctic Survey has a continuing commitment to education. Together with co-producers the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, it won the Geography Association?s Gold Certificate for best new educational resource with its Antarctic Schools Pack. For more information on BAS please visit the website at: www.antarctica.ac.uk Background on Braunarts Braunarts are creative producers of new digital media exploring the arts and culture. Coming from a background of broadcasting and new media their pioneering multi-media work has broken new ground in fusing interactive technologies and the arts. These include 3D Music, an online performance experience created in collaboration with the London Sinfonietta; and JavaDance, a digital work that uses ?Lara Croft? technology to bring 8th Century Javanese temple sculptures to life. Braunarts are recognised for development of high-quality educational resources including ?Backtracks? ? a CD rom linking music with moving images for Channel 4 and the British Film Institute; ?The Music Show?, a 10-part music education TV series; and, ?Journeys in the Roman Empire? for The British Museum and Channel 4 ? an interactive exploration of Roman life. For more information on Braunarts, please visit the website at: www.braunarts.com

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