Science Week ‘06 to prove our appliance of science

THE use of science in our everyday lives will be demonstrated in hundreds of events during Science Week 2006 starting on Sunday.

The public will be invited to see how science and technology may shape our future, not just in innovations we all use but also in the country’s economic development.

More than 380 events will take place in libraries, schools, college campuses, airports, on the streets, in nature reserves, parks and retail outlets throughout the week.

Now in its 10th year, Science Week targets children, second level students, parents, teachers and anyone interested in science and its applications. This year’s initiatives include in-store events in Hughes & Hughes book shops, a regional Cinemobile tour showing movies supported by a 3D workshop, travelling roadshows on the sound of science and workshops on topics from sound waves to animation, film-making, music and astronomy.

Launching the event yesterday, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin said the activities will demonstrate that science, engineering and technology are part of everything we do. He outlined the Government’s commitment to ensuring Ireland develops an internationally-renowned knowledge-based economy, referring to the publication of its Strategy for Science, Innovation and Technology

Mr Martin said: “Teachers, schools, colleges, universities, industry, commercial organisations, and State organisations, such as Discover Science & Engineering (DSE), have a vital role, particularly in fostering the interests of children and encouraging them to follow a career in science, engineering and technology.”

Leo Enright, chair of &DSE which organises Science Week, said that demonstrating the varied career options will help to ensure that we have suitably qualified graduates.

The future of science appears to be healthy, judging by the record entries received for next January’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in Dublin. The organisers announced yesterday that more than 3,000 students have entered 1,278 projects for the event, from which 500 projects will take part.

Just over half the entrants are female, with 233 individual entries and 1,045 group projects submitted.