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There are no facts that are not scientific!

As we continue to prepare for the fast-approaching Science Week 2017, we are delighted to be working with some key people in our local third level institute, Athlone Institute of Technology to ensure we deliver a fun, fact-filled week of science celebration. Recently, we caught up Chris McCormack from AIT’s Faculty of Science and Health to find out what’s happening in the college during this year’s Science Week..

Chris, we are delighted to be partnering with AIT for this year’s Midlands Science Festival. Can you give us a flavour of some of the events you are hosting at the college this year?

We have a dolly-mixture of events, hopefully everyone is catered for. We have talks and shows ranging from bogland biodiversity to the science of relationships. We have a talk about why dogs “woof” and another about home-made probiotic foods. We have invited professional experts and life-long enthusiasts to share their valuable knowledge and they are being very generous. For example, one of our speakers is an expert in the little Irish Black Bee, a protected species. He has nurtured these bees all of his life and his enthusiasm is extremely contagious! Every year we host a wonderfully whacky science roadshow for National School children, and we have a morning dedicated to healing herbs and bees for young children; we’ve called this “Have scents and bee happy”. Transition Year students also have activities. The various afternoon and evening talks are open to students and members of the public. A full menu of our activities is available through the Midland Science website, and at sfi.ie

Can you tell us about your own role in AIT and a little about your background?

I worked in industry and as a consultant for years before working at AIT. I am part of the Faculty of Science and Health. My core areas are Occupational Health and Environmental Protection. I am also qualified in Research Practice – I’m curious about how humans are curious, and communicate their findings to other curious people. I also teach “Learning and Development for Higher Education” and “Enquiry Based Learning”, innovative modules that open up new ways of learning to the student while developing their confidence in Science communications. I have morphed a few times during my life, and intend on morphing again!

Along with my colleague, Dr Brian Murphy, we organise Science Week at AIT.

What do you think we can be doing to inspire and encourage more young people to choose science as a subject and indeed as a third level college choice?

I believe we should be encouraging young people to be “renaissance” men and women, developing both their creative and logical or problem solving abilities side-by-side. The human mind can do multi-disciplinary thinking, it is not limited or compartmentalised. Science doesn’t live alone; it is part of every component of life. Science belongs to the curious small child in all of us. I am an advocate of STEAM, which brings about innovative thinking. Science has been pigeon-holed for too long. I’d like young learners to be curious, to consider their discoveries every day. Choosing science helps us to be comfortable in our world, to be hopeful of the future and to give us information about our past.

Why do you think events like the Midlands Science Festival are so important?

This festival takes Science out of the classroom and onto the street. It allows access to people who wouldn’t get a close-up of these fascinating things in their day-to-day lives. It is a colourful and creative presentation of Science. Valuable activities are free of charge for all the family. Our resources are pooled for this festival; the conventional edges of ownership are blurred. I think it’s a breath of fresh air for Science, a playful offering of so many otherwise hidden strengths.

What is your favourite science fact?

Oh dear, just one? I’m like Michelangelo in one thing: “Ancora Imparo” – I am still learning! There are no facts that are not scientific! Last week, I learned that the plural of “octopus” is “octopodidae” – apparently, the word comes from the Greek, not the Latin! My colleague’s 15 year old daughter knew this. This word makes me laugh and I might just need it for Scrabble! I have also recently learned how the tangible brain creates the intangible mind; in the Wernike area we integrate information into image patterns, then the Broca area converts these images into concepts. Magical! It sounds quite nerdy, but like our toes, we all have them! I’m going to look after my Wernike and Broca areas as they make me very happy.

I could give you new favourite facts, forever. The world is a thrilling place and I’m happy to be greedy about it.

Back To The Future With Science

Date & Time: Thursday November 16th, 1pm to 4pm

Location: Engineering Building, AIT, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads 

Grab your Nikes, calculator watch and hover board because we’re going Back To The Future !!

Come along and see for yourself in all its stainless steel glory an original Delorean motorcar, which was manufactured in Belfast and made famous by Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown !!

This iconic motor car was originally manufactured by the Delorean Motor Company in Northern Ireland in the early-1980s. The company announced that production would resume this year in the United States, but the particular motorcar that will be on display was produced in Dunmurry, Belfast in 1982.

Take a photo, learn about the science of the movie and pick up some#scienceweek merchandise

Pets, Intimacy and Relationships for Science Week!

We are happy to share that his 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.

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.

We also have 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 grew up on the southeast coast of Sicily and studied science at University College London. In 2002, he received a Ph.D. from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg. He was one of the founders of the European Neuroscience & Society Network and the creator of the transdisciplinary Neuroschools. Giovanni has also written short stories and plays and curated science-inspired art exhibitions. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCOVER SCIENCE WITH ABBOTT!

The countdown is on for this year’s Midlands Science Festival which takes place across the counties of Longford, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath from November 12th- 19th as part of national Science Week. The festival will highlight how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) is fundamental to everyday life, and demonstrate STEM’s importance to the future development of our society and economy.

The festival team is delighted to announce an exciting, free-of-charge event which will take place on Saturday, November 11th in St. Mel’s secondary school in Longford from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The event will be run in partnership with Abbott, one of Ireland’s leading healthcare companies, and will offer the public a unique opportunity for students ages 12-14 and their parents or guardians to experience a whole range of science and technology activities including Dinosaur Science, Curious Chemistry, The Reptile Zoo, The Science of Energy Drinks, Drone and Robot Coding and high value career advice during this innovative ‘Discovery Day.’

Jackie Gorman, Director of the Midlands Science Festival said,

‘The Midlands Science Festival is all about taking the traditional notion of science out of the lab and into places like libraries, sports clubs and classrooms, giving people a variety of diverse ways to explore the world around them and to learn something new and beneficial. The overall week-long event is an opportunity to delve into science through a programme of interactive workshops, informative seminars and shows developed by ourselves in partnership with Science Foundation Ireland and thanks to the generosity of partners such as Abbott, we are now heading into our fifth year and our 2017 festival promises to be even bigger and better.’

Science Week is a free, family-friendly programme of events which allows people of all ages to discover something new, participate in a large number of hands-on science and technology activities and see a whole host of live discussions with science enthusiasts and communicators, corporate partners, business and science experts.

Plant Manager of Abbott’s diagnostics facility in Longford, Ciaran Corcoran said,

‘At Abbott, we’re all about helping you live the best life you can through good health. Learning events like the Midlands Science Festival promote the importance of science and technology skills amongst the next generation. By advancing science and technology, we’re shaping new methods of care and improving treatment standards around the world. We want to help students discover a love of science, technology, engineering and math, and make them aware of the many STEM career opportunities that exist. This free event also will provide parents with a unique opportunity to learn about STEM as well, through an assortment of family science experiments and demonstrations, as well as specialist career talks that offer insights into the diversity of roles and career options.’

Places are limited so please remember to book. See www.midlandsscience.ie for details.

Please contact Jackie Gorman for further information 0579323902

Photo: Reptile Zoo tortoise who will visit St. Mel’s in Longford for the day

Anyone For Science Shows

Date & Time :  Friday November 17th

Location : St Peter’s NS, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event : Anyone For Science Shows

A series of workshops with Ireland’s award-winning Anyone 4 Science. Exploring topics such as electricty, forces, energy, light and magnets, this is a fun hands on experience of science for all participants. This event is now fully booked.

The Reptile Zoo

Date & Time:  Thursday November 16th, 9am to 3pm

Location: St Brendan’s Monastery School, Birr, Co. Offaly.

Event: The Reptile Zoo

A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with animals that would normally only be seen on TV. Safe handling and small groups

A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with animals that would normally only be seen on TV. Safe handling and small groups makes sure that children have the chance to learn close up about snakes, tarantulas and tortoises, among many other species. This event is now fully booked.

Exploration Dome

Date & Time : Monday 13th November, 9am to 3pm

Location : Scoil na gCeithre Maistri, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event : Exploration Dome

Exploring the night’s sky and some underwater worlds too in Ireland’s largest mobile planetarium. This event is now fully booked.

Science is a great gateway for students…

We were delighted to have Chris Coombs from Tullamore Physio in to speak to students at Tullamore College last week. Chris is also a lecturer in the Sports Science department at AIT and gave students a whole host of tips on sports injury prevention during their ‘Healthy Living Week’ as well as advice on facilities and courses at AIT. We had a chat to Chris to find out more about his career and what inspired him to study physiotherapy!

Chris, what was it that first inspired you to pursue a career in physiotherapy? I know you are sports mad, could that be something to do with it?

I was always fascinated with sports performance. I was playing rugby and judo in wales and was constantly trying to get the best out of myself but for various reasons I kept getting injured (Now I know why!) – So for me it was a no brainer if I couldn’t play top level sport it provided a great chance of being involved in high level sport!

Can you tell us a bit about your background, where you studied and what course you took?

My first degree was in Sports Science, I studied this at Glamorgan University and this gave me a good background in sports performance testing and training elite athletes. Following this I attended Cardiff medical School and completed a Degree in Physiotherapy. I then undertook post graduate courses looking at running mechanics, athlete load monitoring and various courses to help treat different conditions. At present Im studying a Masters in Clinical Physiotherapy which is based out of Curtin University, Australia!

 

Did you like science in school?

Yes I quite liked science it was better than maths! At school I probably wasn’t the most dedicated student but as I got a little older I found I enjoyed it more!

We are delighted to hear you are now sharing your expert knowledge and lecturing in the Midlands third level institution, AIT? What courses are you teaching there?

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be appointed lecturer in Athletic Therapy & Rehabilitation. I’ve been lucky enough to attend some of the best universities in the UK and Australia but I was blown away by the sports facilities in AIT – They have some great cutting edge technology there.

There aren’t enough future scientists! What can we be doing to encourage more young people to pursue a science related qualification at third level?

I think Science is a great gateway for students. It allows students to branch off into so many different areas such as sport, hospital based jobs to researching cancer etc. My advice to students is to pursue science related jobs ..not only are there many well paid jobs but there is such a different range of jobs that you can go into. It also allows you to travel the world.  I never have imagined I’d end up working in elite sport and now lecturing at AIT.

Science is not something abstract!

We are really excited about welcoming Dr. Patricia Heavy to Tullamore College tomorrow for her talk during Healthy Living Week. Patricia is Course Co-ordinator for the Bsc Health Science and Nutrition at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and she will be talking to students about science courses, nutrition, wellbeing and potential career choices.

 

What inspired you towards a science related career?

When I was in secondary school many of the subjects I studied looked at how food and a person’s diet can have a huge effect on health and disease. I thought this was fascinating so I applied to do a nutrition degree in the University of Ulster. This was a brilliant way to explore how nutrition influences all aspects of our lives. Studying nutrition involves understanding the factors that influence the food we eat, what nutrients that food contains, what happens to those nutrients in the body and the effect of the diet on health and disease. What we eat and what we choose to eat can affect how our body works, how well we perform, our mental wellbeing as well as being an important part of social interactions. I found it all so interesting and over the years, I have worked in a variety of nutrition roles- research, communication, nutrition advisor and lecturing. I am now working in AIT as a lecturer and course co-ordinator for the Health Science and Nutrition degree. Students on this course gain an understanding of nutrition and health. We are very keen that students can translate that knowledge into practice so on the course students undertake placements as well as getting involved in different nutrition projects and working with the community to promote nutrition and health messages.

What types of jobs can students apply for with a Nutrition qualification?

Students with a nutrition degree can work in a variety of areas. Many students go on to work in health promotion or community nutrition- working to improve nutrition and health knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health outcomes among individuals, families or small, groups. Some students go on to work in nutrition and health research- investigating the links between diet, food and its impact on health and disease. Another career option is to work in the food industry- there are new products constantly developed and Nutritionists can be part of these teams. For example, many nutritionists have worked with other scientists to develop healthier food options, supplements and nutritional aids for athletes. Communications is another interesting area- many companies and organisations have Nutritionists who will talk to the media and the public about healthy eating as well as developing nutrition education tools such as leaflets, books and websites/blogs. If you are interested in working with patients (people with a specific disease/illness) you can go on and train to become a Dietitian. Students who complete a nutrition degree can go on and do postgraduate training to become a Dietitian- this usually takes a further 18-24 months.

What are events like the Midlands Science Festival so important do you think?

I think it is a great opportunity to explore the world around us- it is so important to be curious about why things happen and how they have an effect on us personally and on the environment. Science is all around us- events like the Midlands Science Festival provide students with the opportunity to explore the vastness of science in a fun way.

What else can we be doing to encourage more young people to consider a third level option and career in science?

It is important that young people realise that science is not something abstract but a part of everything we do. I think that helping students to understand this connection will encourage them to consider a career in science. I also think it helps if students are aware that science is so broad – there are so many different careers out there.

Midlands Science and AIT to Participate in Healthy Living Week

Local development company Midlands Science is delighted to be participating in the 2017 Annual Tullamore College Healthy Living Week. Healthy Living Week in Tullamore College focuses on all aspects of health; physical, emotional and mental, with talks, workshops and activities running all week. A series of these talks have been organised in partnership with the region’s third level education provider, Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and these talks will cover a range of subjects from health and wellbeing advice to careers and course information across the fields of health and nutrition, sports science, physiotherapy and others.

Kelly Doolan, one of the co-ordinators of Tullamore College Healthy Living Week commented,

‘This is a really important week for students and staff of Tullamore College and it makes a big difference to its success when we provide a different range of events and activities every year. The talks provided by Midlands Science and AIT will offer students not only some very valuable advice on better nutrition and well-being during the busy academic times in their lives but will also provide an insight in to the types of relevant courses of study that are available at AIT and other colleges and universities as students start to think about what line of study they will pursue after secondary school. I’m really grateful to everybody taking part and we are very much looking forward to holding similar events in the future.’

The week is an opportunity for students to focus and build their knowledge around healthy eating, being active and personal wellbeing, as well as to consider making positive changes in health behaviours and attitudes towards what we eat and physical activity.

Jackie Gorman of Midlands Science said,

‘As part of our ongoing work to promote science education across the region, it is important for us to not only roll out a wide range of workshops and events during Science Week itself but to also aim to have ongoing activities that continue to spread the message that science is all around and is a good third level and career choice for so many reasons. Participating in Healthy Living Week gives ourselves and our academic partner, AIT the opportunity to meet a number of students, educate them on the scope of courses available here in the Midlands and also to encourage them to explore the many different career options that may be available them should they choose a science related course in the future.’