Museum aims to kindle interest in science

THE FIRST science museum in Ireland will help inspire students to become scientists, Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe has said.

Mr O’Keeffe described the Science and Discovery Room at the new National Wax Museum as representing the “hidden Ireland” of world-class Irish scientists the public know very little about.

Among the scientists whose work is being showcased in the room are John Holland, the inventor of the submarine; Ernest Walton, who was involved in the splitting of the atom; Sir Charles Parsons, the inventor of the steam turbine; and John Tyndall, the man who discovered the impact of gases such as carbon-dioxide on the world’s temperatures.

The museum is in Foster Place, just off College Green and was opened last October.

The exhibition also includes experiments to explain the work of Irish scientists and examples of discoveries such as a submarine, a model of the world’s first metropolitan rail line (designed by William Dargan) and the three-point hitch for a tractor designed by Harry Ferguson of Massey Ferguson fame.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Mr O’Keeffe said the gallery would “emancipate and bring to life” Irish scientists who do not have the profile enjoyed by Irish writers, musicians and politicians who are already in the wax museum. “This museum will add to the impetus we are trying to bring to the whole area of science and technology.”

Mr O’Keeffe said the future for Ireland was through science and the building of a smart economy, but the teaching of both science and maths had to be changed.

Multinationals have told the Government that more work needed to be done to encourage students to study maths and science.

“We want to change the attitudes to science and maths. We need to make them far more exciting within the school curriculum.

“My personal belief is that curriculum change is what really matters and how we teach the subject is the most important thing.”

He cited the example of the change from technical drawing to communications and graphic design, which saw a large increase in the number of pupils taking the subject. He also said he was examining giving bonus points for science and maths to stimulate pupils to study the subject.