Science Week: Embracing the world around us

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is calling on businesses, communities and professionals throughout the country to take part in Science Week 2016 which runs from November 13th to 20th next.

Despite living in a so-called smart economy with science all around us in everything from technology to food, healthcare to entertainment and transport to energy, the latest SFI Science in Ireland Barometer has found that almost three-quarters of the population still feel that developments in science and technology are too specialised for them to understand.

Science Week is aimed at bridging the gap between perception and reality and creating a greater awareness of and appreciation for the role that science plays in all of our lives. Now in its 20th year Science Week 2016 is set to be the biggest yet with SFI partnering with organisations and businesses across Ireland, including science festivals in Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, the midlands and Sligo. Two new festivals are being organised in Kerry and Cavan/Monaghan while a Teagasc-run festival will see science events spanning eight counties.

Dublin is also set to see an expanded range of events this year, according to Dr Ruth Freeman, director of strategy and communications with SFI.

"We haven't had an actual festival in Dublin so far because of the scale of the city but we have a great series of events planned this year kicking off in the National Concert Hall with Scintillating Science presented by Dara Ó Briain," Freeman says.

Other public events in Dublin will take place in Dublinia, the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, the National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology, Dunsink Observatory, the Science Gallery, the Irish Film Institute and the Ark.

“I am delighted that every year so many organisations are enthusiastically involved in Science Week,” Freeman says. “But this year, we want even more people to come on board. It’s important that people understand how the world and technology around them works.

“Globally and here in Ireland, we face big challenges requiring solutions that are driven by technology and innovation. To create these solutions, we need talented and innovative people. We are naturally a creative and curious nation; we need to tap into those attributes to ensure we are ready for what’s coming next.”

Guest speaker

In this context, SFI is calling on businesses and organisations of all types to play their part in Science Week.

“For offices, you can host your own event or simply gather everyone around to watch a TEDx talk or science video. If you own a restaurant, why not highlight the science behind your menu? Why not simply start the science conversation by sharing some science facts in your workplace? If you are involved with a sports club, bring in a guest speaker on the science of your sport.”

Several organisations, including the American Chamber of Commerce, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Rustic Stone, the Chelsea Drugstore and Met Éireann have already confirmed that they will run individual Science Week events.

Evelyn Cusack of Met Éireann uses Science Week as an opportunity to share weather science facts.

“Every year I am really excited to be part of Science Week,” she says. “We incorporate weather-related science facts into our broadcasts and the feedback we get from viewers is fantastic. It is easy to forget that science is at the heart of everything we do and Science Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate it, giving us all a chance to learn more about the world around us.”

Career information

Science Week is by no means the only SFI activity designed to popularise science. Smart Futures is aimed at promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) careers to secondary school students, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers in Ireland. It provides career information via www.SmartFutures.ie and access to role models through its volunteer programme. It is managed by Science Foundation Ireland in partnership with Engineers Ireland and in association with Ibec,

IDA Ireland

and other representative bodies.

Since the programme began in 2013, some 1,300 volunteers have engaged directly with more than 117,000 secondary students through school visits and a range of other outreach activities such as company visits.

“We are trying to overcome the idea that some people have that science is for people in labs wearing white coats who got six A1s in their Leaving Cert,” says Freeman.

“We are trying to open the door to an amazing world that is so profoundly impacting all of our lives. We want companies and organisations of all sizes to run Science Week events and get involved in Smart Futures to show that science really is for everyone.

“We don’t know what precise skills will be required for the jobs that will exist seven, eight or nine years from now, but we do know that logical thought and a scientific mindset will always be highly sought-after. We want to prepare secondary school students and the whole country for the jobs of the future.”