A virtual scientific map is being created by Birmingham-based computer specialists, Daden Limited, to enable the public to take a 3D journey into UK based science.

As part of this year's British Science Festival hosted at Aston University, virtual world specialists Daden are creating an interactive map, available both on the web and within Second Life, of virtual world based scientific research and educational activities at UK universities and research organisations.

Virtual Worlds such as Second Life, where users can socialise and connect on-line are already being extensively used by UK Universities and other educational and research organisations. This project will attempt to map this activity - rather than purely report on it and virtual world users are being asked to submit details for inclusion. The map is, appropriately, a virtual map inside of Second Life where visitors will be able to click on map markers to gain further information on each project, and to be directly transported to the science project location. The map is being hosted at B-scape on Birmingham's island in Second Life.

Daden Managing Director, David Burden, said; "We know that there is a lot of UK science and Higher Education activity within virtual worlds but is hard to visualise the scale and scope of activity without seeing it on a map. We hope that this map will inform people about projects they didn't know about - and encourage them to visit. We want it to become a lasting resource for UK Science which can live on beyond this year's British Science Festival."

Users without access to Second Life, or running projects in other virtual worlds, are not excluded from the project. All information will be available through the map's web page at www.daden.co.uk/bsf/, which will include a link to the browser based version of the Second Life map, and lists of projects in other worlds.

In order to take part, and have their location listed, UK science projects are invited to visit www.daden.co.uk/bsf/ and complete a short form (ideally by 10th September 2010), giving details about their project, and provide a web and virtual world link. Daden are interested in the use of virtual worlds for not only science research, but also for science outreach and higher education.

Daden hope to run a "fringe" event at the Festival to introduce the completed map, and to have a short "virtual safari" through some of the projects featured.

As well as the mapping project Daden are also bringing other British Science Festival information into the virtual world - including a "twitter" lab displaying relevant twitter feeds from across the conference.

The British Science Festival, hosted by Aston University in Birmingham, runs from Tuesday, September 14th to Sunday, September 19th.