Sugar, Spice & Everything Science Virtual Forum for the Midlands

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Midlands Science is pleased to host the second event in its Science Communities Programme on September 22nd, at 10am (on zoom) and this interactive forum will focus on Food and Alcohol. This event is free of charge and open to everyone. The Science Communities project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the Discover Award programme and is designed to build impactful dialogue and discussion between community groups in the Midlands and those involved in science and public policy.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented,

‘Science generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to understand and answer the many mysteries of the world around us. Public understanding and engagement with science is so important in order to ensure people can relate it to their everyday lives and also to enable citizens to make informed personal and professional choices. We are delighted to be hosting our second Science Communities forum and we have three fantastic speakers lined up for you – Clodagh Crehan from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) will be discussing food labelling/food advertising, Dr. Clare Reynolds from UCD will be looking at Sugar and it’s effects on the body and Anne Doyle from the Health Research Board (HRB) will be presenting the findings from a recent report published by the HRB on alcohol use in Ireland and the consequences of our alcohol consumption. Don’t forget we are also running a free LIFT facilitation training day on Oc tober 14th and this training day is available to all Science Communities participants.

Other upcoming Science Communities events will include discussions on Viruses, Vaccines and Immunity – The Science of Diseases and Medicine and Health – Who and how we can trust? The project will continue to run during the months of Oc tober and November.  If you are interested in taking part in this project please email outreach@midlandsscience.ie 

 

For registration details, please check our website on https://www.midlandsscience.ie/

Midlands Science partner with Energia on Science Outreach in Laois

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Energia Scoil Bhríde, Portlaoise.
Pho tograph Liam Burke/Press 22

Midlands Science is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Laois County Council and leading Irish energy provider, Energia, which will see science education outreach being delivered to schools in the Portlaoise area in the coming months. Portlaoise has recently been designated as Irelands First Low Carbon Town and this special outreach education programme, has been designed to create awareness of climate change science and action.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said,

‘The Climate Action Plan is Ireland’s roadmap to becoming a climate neutral economy and resilient society by 2050. Becoming a climate resilient society will help us to cope with the impacts of a changing climate. Young people care about the environmental crisis and climate action because it is their future which will be impacted by the worse effects of climate change. Midlands Science is delighted to team up with Energia and Laois County Council in providing a number of science education workshops over the coming months with the help of Declan Holmes from Science Ireland. A transformational shift in the way our society and economy operate is needed and students are more likely to change their behaviours and encourage their parents to join them if they better understand the science of climate change. These workshops will teach them more about climate and environmental impact, but it will also be interactive and include brains torming and teamwork opportunities on certain aspects of climate change education.’

Portlaoise has been designated as Ireland’s first Low Carbon Town under both the National Development Plan – Ireland 2040 and the Climate Action Plan 2019.  As a designated “Decarbonisation Zone” Portlaoise Town must deliver a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures driven by Laois County Council  to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate needs to contribute to national climate action targets.  At a minimum, these outcomes must be capable of meeting the Government’s targets for carbon emissions reductions specifically an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade).

One of the main ways of delivering these targets is by supporting and encouraging behavioural change so this outreach programme is essential to engage with younger generations and through their involvement the message can permeate through to parents and grandparents and the wider community as our youth are incredibly motivated and effective communica tors of climate action.

Amy O’ Shaughnessy, Marketing Acquisition & Sponsorship Manager for Energia said,

“At Energia we are partnered with communities and business all across Ireland to make sustainable improvements that benefit the local environment, and also contribute toward the goals of Ireland’s national Climate Action Plan. We believe that local action makes a national difference, and as such are delighted to partner with Midland Science and Laois County Council, two organisations that are as committed as we are to positive change. At Energia, we supply 100% green electricity, with a clear focus on innovation and technology that is evident across our renewable developments and smart home solutions. This partnership is very much in line with the support we provide communities, and we look forward to assisting our partners and the pupils of Portlaoise in further understanding climate action and in making their own positive changes.”