HOW REAL is the risk of an Irish tsunami? How do you make maths fun? What secrets remain in our attempts to understand the universe?
Science Week Ireland is under way, which means these and many more questions of scientific interest will be answered. More than 400 events are planned for the week-long celebration of science, with shows, talks and presentations for every age.
Science Week aims to promote the importance and value of science, engineering and technology in our everyday lives, explained Peter Brabazon, director of Discover Science and Engineering (DSE).
DSE is the national body that helps promote a greater interest and understanding of science amongst students and the wider public. It organises the annual Science Week Ireland, which is now in its 13th year.
Activities during the week help to demonstrate the importance of science, technology, engineering and maths and their role in the development of Irish society and the economy, he said. “The idea is to highlight these subjects and an awareness of the benefits of science.”
Science impinges on all aspects of our lives from health and communications through transport and the environment.
Its influence was all around us, Mr Brabazon said.
The events planned for the week are designed in particular for primary and secondary school students he said, although there were events of interest to all ages.
There is a decided emphasis on fun, but there is real scientific message throughout the programme.
It was also important to make people realise the many careers can flow from the study of the sciences, maths and engineering, he said.
Companies including Microsoft, Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific and Merck Sharp Dohme amongst others have opened their doors to visitors during the week, with more companies involved than in previous years, he said.
Science Week Ireland runs until Sunday, November 15th. Full details of the programme are available on the website, www.scienceweek.ie