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Something a little different….

Another exciting event coming our way with Dale Treadwell from ‘Naturally Wild’ this Science Week! We caught up for a quick chat!

Dale, we are delighted that you will be taking part in this year’s Midlands Science Festival. Can you tell us a bit about your company Naturally Wild and what you do?

I’m an Australian with a background in Rainforest ecology but I’ve been living in Ireland now for 18 years. I build school gardens, plant native Irish Trees, write Children’s books and have been on TV with Dustin the Turkey and Albie the Why Guy. For this Science Festival this year I thought I would do something different and bring you my own backgarden from Australia but with a twist.. it’s old really old from about 100 million years ago!!!

What is your background? Did you study science at university?

I actually studied Agricultural Science and then branched into Botany to study Rainforest ecology, as re-vegetating degraded areas is what took my interest early in my working career. Although when I was back in High School I did my TY type work experience at the Melbourne Museum of Natural History Museum in the Geology and Palaeontology. Hence the current theme!!! I like to say most of my study has come from the school of hard knocks though, it is true you can learn so much through school and then college but a lot comes down to going out and experiencing things.

What is your favourite science fact?

My favourite science fact. Gosh I have so many – I like this one I read today about Honey Bees… ‘If Honey Bees earned minimum wage for the work they do a jar of honey would cost over 150,000 euro!!!’ In Ireland you have over 90 species of Bee but only one is the Honey Bee..about 20 are Bumble Bees that live in small colonies and make very small amounts of honey (not really enough to harvest) although half a dozen of those are cuckoo bumblebees and pretend to be the other species for their young to get a free ride! The other 70 odd are Solitary Bees that don’t make Honey at all but do a vast majority of all the Pollination.

 

The Ecology and Science of Rehabilitation of Bord na Mona Cutaway Peatlands

Date & Time : Tuesday November 14th, 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Location :Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Main Campus, Faculty of Science and Health, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event : The Ecology and Science of Rehabilitation of Bord na Mona Cutaway Peatlands

Irish bogs sustain a variety of flora and fauna and are listed in the Habitats Directive. Bord na Mona have begun an extensive rehabilitation of these bogs, aiming to rebuild the habitats and enhance wildlife. This presentation will share the science behind the development of biodiversity plans and bog rehabilitation. Booking chmccormack@ait.ie

The younger we reach students the better!

Gas Networks Ireland celebrate Engineer’s Week.
Picture by Shane O’Neill Photography.

For our festival 2017 we have partnered with a number of extremely supportive organisations including Gas Networks Ireland to create opportunities which aim to excite students about science. Gas Networks Ireland is committed to responsible business practice, ensuring that environmental, ethical and social principles are at the core of its business decisions and are key to its business strategy. We are most grateful for the support and enthusiasm our partners and sponsors provide to enable us to spread the science message and without their help our festival would not be possible. We caught up with Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Gas Networks Ireland, Christina van der Kamp for a chat earlier this week..

Christina, we are delighted to be partnering with Gas Networks Ireland this year to help make the Midlands Science Festival 2017 a great success. Can you tell us a little about your role in Gas Networks Ireland?

As Corporate Responsibility (CR) Manager for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) much of my role involves working with colleagues to ensure that CR is high on the agenda right across the business. I am also responsible for all community activity for GNI. Our CR programme is wide-reaching and about so much more than simply volunteering and sponsorship! It influences many areas of our business and revolves around the five CR pillars of Community, Environment, Workplace, Marketplace and Governance.

Gas Networks Ireland holds the ‘Business Working Responsibly’ Mark for responsible and sustainable business practices. One of the first companies to be granted certification in 2013, we are still one of only 25 companies in Ireland that hold the Mark. For us, this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to CR and it’s something we’re especially proud of! Recently, we completed a three year CR strategy identifying priorities under each of the CR pillars, with the aim of further integrating CR with the strategic mission and vision of Gas Networks Ireland.

Do you have a science background?

My background is in communications, I have a degree in Media Production Management and a Masters in Science Communication. The Masters explores social issues in science and technology, and the communications and controversies surrounding them. It gave me a great grasp of the social significance of science in society and the importance of demystifying careers in science to young people.

Do Gas Networks Ireland support other STEM related educational programmes?

Education in particular has been a major focus of our community programmes to date. With Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) at the core of our business, Gas Networks Ireland delivers a programme called ‘Our Universe’ to over 5,000 primary school kids in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland. This science education programme is delivered by volunteers from different organisations across the country annually. The purpose of the programme is to influence and encourage students to continue with science in secondary school and beyond. We also hold events on Engineers Week and exhibited at the iWish conference this year.

Recent data shows that Ireland continues to experience a skills shortage in the STEM sector. Why is it important for companies like Gas Networks Ireland to support events like the Midlands Science Festival and what do you think we can do to keep dispelling the myth that science is difficult?

As an engineering organisation, it’s hugely important that we support events like the Midlands Science Festival. We relish our role of encouraging the workforce of tomorrow! Events like the Midlands Science Festival and programmes like Our Universe introduce science in an informative yet appealing way and play an important part in having a positive influence on students’ perception of science. The younger we reach students the better!

Who doesn’t like to make slime!?

We are really excited about welcoming the Junior Einsteins Science Club’ to Laois this year. This unique club incorporates core science into fun sessions of hands-on  experiments designed to stimulate and create a love of science and nature.

Pupils will get to make and do their own experiments wearing their lab coats and goggles and using real scientific equipment including a university grade Van Der Graff Generator. This is always a popular one and we cant wait!

 

 

Gigantic Bubbles Fun!

Have you ever wondered why bubbles float or why bubbles are round?
It is so important to make sure that we reach children as early as possible to demonstrate the importance of science in everyday life.

This was a really fun and exciting event which we held in Offaly a couple of years back which explored the magic and excitement of science using bubbles. The children really enjoyed it and also asked lots of questions so they got some valuable lessons in the process!

Festivals attract people with curiosity…

We are pleased to announce a very different event for this year called ‘Intimacy, The Science Of Relationships.’ Join author and neuroscientist Giovanni Frazzetto for a unique discussion exploring the science of relationships, everything from family, work to love and our engagement with technology. Giovanni is an engaging speaker who has published books on relationships and emotions. He was awarded the John Kendrew Young Scientist Award for his cross-disciplinary and science communication efforts. We had a chat to Giovanni in advance of Science Week to find out more..

Giovanni, you are currently a research fellow at Trinity College Dublin,
what brings you to Ireland and what exactly are you researching during your time here?
I am interested in understanding what intimacy is today, and how art, science, design and technology can together help us understand it.
 
What first inspired you towards a science-related career?
At about 16 I read an article about molecular biology in a scientific magazine. I was fascinated and wanted to learn everything about genes, proteins and invisible reactions. Later on, I became more interested in psychology and neuroscience. However, since I was a student I have always tried to filter what I learnt in science through the lens of art and the humanities, and vice-versa.
 
In your research, you talk about the importance of human interaction for our well-being and yet loneliness is an epidemic? Why is this the case?
I suppose there may be a kind of disenchantment with relationships nowadays. While technology has given us the opportunity to connect widely, it may also make us spend a lot of time on our own.
 
How can we use science to improve interpersonal connections?
In general, an effective scientific method to improve personal connections is observation.
In habit and routine, we may keep making mistakes in interpersonal relationships. But if we begin to pay more attention to our own and other people’s needs, we will be able to improve the knowledge of who we are and what makes us most comfortable alone or with others. We will begin to rectify inconvenient patterns, and reinforce behaviour that is more helpful to us.
 
In your book, you look through the lenses of emotion, psychology, philosophy, art and personal experience… What can we do to ensure science meets art and culture more often in order to engage more people?
Complex phenomena like love, intimacy and relationships can hardly be understood satisfactorily from a single perspective. Indeed, most questions, be they personal life questions, societal issues or global challenges, earn a multi-disciplinary approach for an elucidation. I would concentrate on reinforcing a trans-disciplinary approach in schools and universities, as early as possible in the education of students. We need to reward and encourage transdisciplinary learning so that it becomes standard.
 
Why are events like the Midlands Science Festival so important do you think?
Events like the Midlands Science Festival are important because they represent a regular appointment with a curated series of lectures, conversations etc. where scientists, educators, students, and other interested people can gather and always learn something from one another, effortlessly. Festivals attract people with curiosity. Visitors stock up with ideas and bring home a lasting inspiring energy.

Explore Pets and Relationships during Science Week!

The Midlands Science Festival will be taking place across the region for all ages from November 12th-19th and promises a packed programme with over 130 innovative and hands-on events. Science Week, which is managed by ‘SFI Discover’ the education and public engagement programme of Science Foundation Ireland, has been in existence since the mid-1990s and has grown to around 800 events per year. The festival takes science into libraries, theatres and even the outdoors, giving people a variety of exciting ways to explore a multitude of ideas for a future career in science, technology, engineering and maths.

This year’s programme includes two very different events which will be held in Athlone and will be open to the general public. On the evening of Nov 13th at 8:00pm, ‘The Science of Dogs, From Wolf to Woof’ will take place in Athlone Institute of Technology. This event will appeal not only to pet owners but also to anyone with an interest in animals or science in general. There’s a lot of science to the dogs in our lives, everything from how to care for them to how they think and how they evolved from wolves.

Midlands Science Festival Director, Jackie Gorman said,

‘In planning the programme, we have partnered with a number of schools, organisations and academia such as Athlone Institute of Technology, to create opportunities which excite students and the general public about science and how it connects to real life. It’s about creating greater interest in science education and careers which of course benefits the Midlands region. Join us for a fascinating evening with a Veterinary Scientist and an Evolutionary Biologist as they explore the world of canines. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell sadness in humans? Learn about the secrets of their tails and their skill at reading our attention. We will also be joined by some four-legged friends along with their owners, as we seek to understand an animal that there is still so much to know about.’

Fun-filled school workshops including a mobile planetarium, snakes and tortoises from the Reptile Zoo, career talks and rocket building are just some of the many events taking place across Westmeath this November as part of national Science Week for younger audiences.

Jackie Gorman continued,

‘The Midlands Science Festival is a real celebration of science and features something for everyone to enjoy. Among a rich programme of key speakers featuring for 2017 is neuroscientist and author Giovanni Frazzetto who will deliver a free and most unique science festival event all around the ‘Science of Relationships’ and this will also be held in AIT on the evening of November 16th and booking is essential. Giovanni Frazzetto is an engaging speaker who has published books on relationships and emotions. He was awarded the John Kendrew Young Scientist Award for his cross-disciplinary and science communication efforts.We look forward to hearing from Giovanni all about the neuroscience behind the way people relate to each other and this event promises to be one which will hopefully appeal to many different people. You can book this and our event about the ‘Science of Dogs’ by using the link below.’

www.midlandsscience.ie/events
twitter @curiouskim1

Photo: David Nally and Neil Ashe with their dog Albert and Midlands Science Festival director, Jackie Gorman

 

Poisons & Potions – Exploring Toxicology

Date & Time: Friday November 17th.

Location: Tullamore College, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Event: Exploring Toxicology

Exploring toxicology study and careers with science communicator Dr Craig Slattery. Toxicology is the study of poisons, drawing heavily on life and physical sciences, as well as being an applied practically-based subject. It’s not everything you might expect, many foods contain poisons and toxins. Bitter almonds, for example, contain traces of cyanide – the lethal dose for an adult is about 50 almonds, whereas a child would only need to consume 5-10 almonds. Fortunately, bitter almonds are heat-treated, removing the poisonous compounds and making them safe for consumption. Cherry pits, certain mushrooms, potatoes and rhubarb also contain toxins that could prove fatal if consumed in large amounts. This event is now fully booked.

Exploring Maths

Date & Time: Wednesday November 15th, 11am.

Location: Sacred Heart School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Event: Maths Study and careers discussion and workshop.

A engaging discussion with maths Professor Ciarán Mac an Bhaird of NUI Maynooth. This event is now fully booked.

Careers Workshop

Date & Time: Tuesday November 14th
Location: Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event: Careers Workshop

Careers workshop with Cpl and AIt exploring various study options and career choices in science, technology, engineering and maths. This event is now fully booked.