Address by Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology & Commerce at the Official Opening of Enterprise Ireland’s National Science Day on Saturday, 4th November, 2000 at 11.00 a.m. in Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin

I am delighted to be with you all today to officially open the fourth annual interactive science exhibition being hosted here by Enterprise Ireland. This national event has in previous years been one of the corner stones of our National Science Week in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland’s National Science Day this year follows on from ‘Science & Enterprise - The Best of Irish Science’ in 1999 which, like all three previously organised National Science Days, was a major success with over 4,000 attendees.

The focus of today’s event is on "stepping stones to the future". Its objective is to demonstrate how research benefits industry by discovering the new knowledge which leads to new products. It will also highlight the use of science all around us, irrespective, of our location, at any time.

The 40 plus exhibitors present here today from across both the third level sector and industry, will reveal to you all the importance and relevance of science and technology in a modern Ireland.

• The Department of Chemistry from the NUI-Maynooth (NUI-M) will demonstrate some of the new materials which they produce and they will show how light interacts with materials also.
• The Dublin Institute of Technology (D.I.T.) will reveal the benefits as well as the pollution caused by ozone to you all.
• The use of computers to solve problems in astrophysics through to medical patient treatments will be demonstrated by the IT Department at NUI - Galway (NUI-G).
• The Institute of Technology in Tralee (I.T.T.) will show you the natural and environmental methods of treating waste-water.
• There is also an interactive exhibition called ‘the senses’ which allows people to explore concepts such as 3-D pictures, peripheral vision, colour blindness and memory testing.

In conjunction with the exhibitions there will be a series of lectures detailing the practical applications of science and technology. These speakers will demonstrate science in action and show you all how science can be transformed to give young people creative and skilled jobs in leading edge industries.

• These presentations cover applications of photochemistry across several sectors such as medicine, communications, electronics, photography and plastics.
• There is science in forensics, where in today’s world crimes are constantly solved through science.
• Media Lab Europe will demonstrate how science and technology can be applied to lead to entertaining ways of teaching children of all ages.
• The lecture ‘light, smoke and action’ will demonstrate how physics plays a major part in our everyday existence.

Today’s event is a "fun day" giving young people the opportunity to see the many aspects to this research from third level right through to the working world. This exciting Day aims to show young people that research leads to innovations, which will create new businesses here in Ireland. It will also show how science and technology can open up avenues for a wide range of career opportunities.

As the Minister of State with responsibility for Science and Technology, I am absolutely committed to both the promotion and development of science, not only in our third level colleges, but also in our schools at both first and second levels. Earlier this year plans were announced by us to invest some £13 million, over a three-year period, to improve resources for the teaching of science in our schools. This initiative which is aimed at improving the physical sciences includes a review of science syllabi, a comprehensive programme of in-career development for teachers and the upgrading of laboratory resources.

We want to encourage the use of new technologies such as information and communications in the teaching of science. Therefore as part of this new initiative, trainers are currently working with our teachers to provide training in the use of new equipment, science software and websites for the physical sciences syllabus.

There are many families in this audience here today and I would like to take this opportunity to ask parents to encourage their children to participate in science in schools and to think about the enormous possibilities of science and technology. Science generates creativity in our children and stimulates awareness of how science and technology interacts with all aspect of modern life. I would urge you all to think about the range of rewarding careers that are now available in science all over Ireland.

I am asking all of you young people here today and elsewhere, to explore and be entertained to-day and think how much fun you can have by learning more about science day after day. Science is about exploring new ideas, developing unusual and exciting concepts. Look all around you at the technological age that we live in; mobile phones, computers, the internet and email: are all the products of detailed scientific research. I’m sure all of our exhibitors will agree that they chose this career path because it is both rewarding and stimulating for all of them.

Today researchers will share their work with you and will demonstrate that science is both interesting and extremely important. I would therefore ask you all to open your minds to what you will see here today. These technologies will be the backbone of our future industries and the young people here will become the backbone of our new technology developments in the years ahead.

Science Week takes place this year from 12-19 November. This National Science Week will see a range of events taking place nation-wide, with public lectures, exhibitions, school competitions, road shows and conferences all showcasing the outstanding work being done by Ireland’s many scientists.

These scientists carry out exciting work in both research and development in our universities, institutes of technology, public sector institutes and private companies throughout the length and breath of our country.

Before concluding I would like to use this opportunity, if I may, to draw your attention to a very interesting, adventurous and unique competition called ‘young-ebiz.com’ which I launched recently. This competition, which is co-sponsored by the RDS and the State’s Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, is aimed at young people in the 15-17 year age bracket, who come up with the best and most creative ideas and plans for a web-based business. The competition links the world of business and the Internet with the world of education and young people and the only requirements for entry are imagination and access to the internet. The competition’s website is www.young-ebiz.com and I would encourage all 15-17 years olds here today to take part in it.

Finally I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland for hosting and organising today’s prestigious and excellent event. I must also give a special thanks to all of the people from the scientific community who have given up their free Saturday to give you an insight into their worlds. On that note I will conclude by saying go and see, touch, hear, explore and enjoy The Best of Irish Science! It’s your Day. Enjoy it!