A book about Ireland's rich scientific research heritage has inspired a new educational website for schools.
Ingenious Ireland Online is available in English and Irish and could help inspire the next generation of Irish scientists.
The project was encouraged by Ingenious Ireland, the award-winning book by Mary Mulvihill that takes readers on a county-by-county tour of Irish invention, ingenuity and industry.
The online resource picks up on themes and ideas raised in Mulvihill's book, but adds additional multimedia content.
Most importantly, it closely tracks the Irish science curriculum so what the students see on site will be relevant to their course work in the sciences.
The site (www.ingeniousirelandonline.ie) was launched in Dublin yesterday at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland building as part of Science Week Ireland. Backers for the project included the Discover Science & Engineering programme, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and British company MWR.
The company developed the technological framework for the site as a specialist producer of online learning materials. The site supports multiple languages and also podcasting, video and additional web content developed by visitors to the site.
It is a most attractive site that features material on Irish science history, on careers and provides curriculum links for schools.
The organisers of the site have set up a competition to mark its launch, with the top prize an iPod nano. Entrants must be aged 11 to 16 and are asked to upload an image of scientific or local interest, adding their own explanatory text.
The judges for the competition include Mary Mulvihill, chairman of the Discover Science & Engineering programme Leo Enright and theoretical physics graduate and current Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
The competition closes on December 16th.