Minister Lenihan launches Science Week Ireland 2010

Over 100,000 people expected to attend science week events from 7-14 November 2010

4 November 2010

Science Week Ireland 2010 was officially launched today [Thursday] by Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend more than 450 Science Week events from Sunday 7 November until Sunday 14 November.

The theme for Science Week 2010 is “Our Place in Space” with a wide range of activities taking place which will look at the latest happenings in astronomy and space exploration.

Maths and Science performer Rob Eastaway was on hand to entertain the students from Gardiner Street Primary school who attended the event at Dublin City Library & Archive on Pearse Street.

The aim of Science Week is to promote the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our everyday lives and to demonstrate the importance of these disciplines to the future development of Irish society and the economy.

Speaking at the launch, Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, said: ‘The theme for Science Week this year focuses on space and the future for the space industry in Ireland looks bright.

‘ It is expected that the number and size of Irish companies active in the space market is set to expand over the coming years.

‘The industry is currently worth over €20 million to the Irish economy and scientists in Irish organisations work on a wide range of space projects, from software to satellite technologies and space station experiments.

‘Through initiatives such as Science Week and the Discover Science and Engineering programme we need to continue to invest in our young people and to encourage them to follow careers in areas which will foster future economic growth such as the space industry.

‘Ireland leads the world in many areas of science and industrial research resulting in more and more Irish people seeing the opportunities offered by science and the value of science education to the economy and to their children’s futures.

‘The aim of Science Week is to continue to reach out and inspire the curiosity and innovation of people across Ireland to become more actively involved in the areas of Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths.

‘Today we’ve seen just a taste of what’s on offer throughout Science Week and the enthusiasm it can generate. Maths is an essential pillar in fostering a Smart economy and it is important that it is accessible and enjoyable for young children and teenagers.

‘It is vital for us to capture children’s enthusiasm for science and maths early if we want to see more innovation emerging from Ireland in the next generation,’ the Minister added.

Science Week Ireland is organised by Discover Science & Engineering, the Government’s integrated programme for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awareness and promotion.

Notes for Editors

Full details of all the events around the country are available on the www.scienceweek.ie website and some of the highlights include the following:

Over 450 events to take place nationwide during Ireland’s largest public awareness week.
One of the main initiatives for Science Week 2010 is a lecture series for members of the public, school children and key stakeholders. Over 400 secondary school students are expected to attend this year’s lecture series which includes talks from Dr Martin Hendry a senior lecturer in Astronomy who will be giving a talk about “Did we Really land on the Moon?”. Graeme Jones a chemical ecologoist will be hosting the lecture entitled “The definitive guide to a Saturday Night”. In addition British astrophysicist Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell will be hosting a talk entitled "Will the world end in 2012? .
IT Sligo is will kick off Science Week, with its annual Science Fair on Sunday 7^th of November with a range of fun and exciting activities for all the family. The Week continues with a series of lectures taking place in the college every evening including a lecture by Professor Mike Baillie from Queen’s University in Belfast entitled “Have Human Populations Been Affected By Impacts From Space”.
The National Concert Hall will present a novel event during Science Week – pioneering ensemble Icebreaker and formidable pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole bring their critically acclaimed performance of Brian Eno’s album Apollo to Dublin for the first time. Footage from the Apollo programme will be projected during the performance.
A visual talk exploring the origin of the Cosmos, of Earth and of Life itself will be taking place at the Red Arts centre in Tallaght on Monday 8^th November.
On Sunday 7^th of November a Science Week Family Funday Sunday will be held in Galway Atlantaquaria. The theme for this event is “Our ‘Plaice’ in Space!”.
Dave McDonald Chair of IFAS will open Science Week in Kerry. Dave will talk about how he discovered Ireland’s second asteroid and the merits and science of astro-photography.
Among other events NUI in Maynooth will be showcasing an exhibition of articles, photographs and books, featuring the life and times of men and women who have made contributions to Science and Technology in Ireland.
The Discovery 2010 exhibition will take place in City Hall, Cork from 13^th – 16^th to November. This popular event offers a range of interesting exhibits, workshops and activities for families and school groups.
As a continuation to Science Week the Galway Science and Technology festival will take place on Sunday 21^st of November in its new home in the Bailey Allen Hall in NUIG. It is expected that 20,000 young people will visit the day-long event which has become one of the most popular events on Galway’s annual diary.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Fionnuala Kavanagh, Edelman, 01 6789333, Fionnuala.kavanagh@edelman.com

About Discover Science and Engineering:

Discover Science and Engineering is the national integrated awareness programme, managed by Forfás on behalf of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation. Its objectives are to increase the numbers of students studying the physical sciences, to promote a positive attitude to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and to foster a greater understanding of science and its value to Irish society. For further information please visit www.discover-science.ie

Last modified: 04/11/2010

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