South East Science Festival gets underway today (Sunday Nov 7th). The festival which is mostly online this year is part of Science Week. The aim is to provide an opportunity to explore how science is important in everything we do and how science can contribute to a better future.
Nollaig Healy from WIT's science engagement centre Calmast said:
“Science is all around us, it impacts on everything we do and how we work and live – it really is fascinating. Science Week allows us the opportunity to examine areas of science that we don’t normal stop and think about. It takes science out of the classroom and lets us explore and interrogate how we can shape our future.
“We are delighted to be working with partners Waterford ETB, Birchwood House, Brothers of Charity, Respond Housing, Oceanview House, Meals on Wheels, Copper Coast Geo Park, Waterford County Council and Waterford Childcare committee and local industry,” she added. Specially developed science kits are being provided for a range of school, and community groups.
Schools
Schools have always played an important part in Science Week and this year is no different. There are a multitude of stimulating events including the ultimate LEGO building workshops for selected community groups with Bricks 4 Kidz; Cas Kramer Human Variation - Genes, DNA and DNA fingerprinting, an interactive exploration of DNA; South African Global Teacher award winner and two times TEDx speaker Steve Sherman will deliver workshops for pre-schoolers; Talks from Chief Mathematical Entertainer at Bubbly Maths Caroline Ainslie; The Science of Extreme Sport delivered by Bruce Wardrop from the Department of Sport & Exercise Science, WIT.
WIT and Institute of Technology Carlow, who are working together to create a technological university, have teamed up to run careers event for secondary schools pupils featuring scientists from industry in the Waterford, South Tipperary and Carlow areas.
The Bitter Truth and why some people crave these bitter drinks yet others are repulsed with TU Dublin Beverage Lecturer and Beer sommelier Judith Boyle and independent drinks consultant
Programme of Events
In addition to the programme of events for primary and secondary schools, Calmast has a raft of events lined up for adults including The Science of Gin from Blackwater Distillery; Beer sommelier Judith Boyle and independent drinks consultant Susan Boyle will deliver The Bitter Truth on why some people crave these bitter drinks yet others are repulsed; an Agri Debate on the subject of 'There is no viable future for farming in Ireland; A talk with coastal erosion expert Dr Keiran Craven from the department of The Environment, Climate and Communications in the Copper Coast Geo Park and The Science of Happiness with Waterford GP Dr Mark Rowe who will emphasise the importance of self-care to enable us to learn from adversity and overcome burnout.
Caroline Ainslie as “Bubblz. Picture: Patrick Browne
A highlight of the week will be Science Family Fun Day which takes place on Sunday, 7 November with events such, Zoom Zoo, Family Scavenger Hunt and Super Science with Mark Langtry (RTE). Details of the festival, and booking can be found at: www.calmast.ie.
'Creating our Future'
For Science Week 2021, Science Foundation Ireland are encouraging people to engage with the “Creating our Future” national conversation on research in Ireland and have their say in what are the most important aspects of their lives they would like science and research to improve.
The Creating our Future campaign is an initiative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is taking place across 2021. If you would like to get involved with Science Week and #CreatingOurFuture in some way – submit questions through the #CreatingOurFuture platform, in the conversation on social media. The public can submit ideas and questions that could be addressed through the online platform - www.creatingourfuture.ie.
