Space experience shared at engineering week

FORMER student of Waterford Institute of Technology Michael Campion is to address school students at Waterford’s third annual Engineering Week which begins today.

Mr Campion will talk about his studies and share his experiences after an internship with NASA.

Workshops, lectures and presentations have been organised, ranging from Engineering and Science of the Circus to Build a Website in one Hour and Flight — Mankind’s Ancient Dream.

Pupils will be invited to try their hand at building their own amplifier circuits and controlling and testing robots.

Engineering Week is one of four festivals of engineering, science and maths presented by WIT — the others being Maths Week, Waterford Science Festival and the Bealtaine Outdoor Science Festival.

WIT has seen a 30% increase in the number of CAO applications for its science and engineering programmes this year.

“The main aim of Engineering Week is to help young people better understand today’s world. Engineering is more relevant than most might think to our everyday lives. Engineers design and build the roads we travel on, the planes we fly in, the MP3 players and websites we use. They are also looking for solutions to the energy crises facing the planet,” WIT’s Head of Department of Engineering and Technology, Albert Byrne, said.

One session, called “Engineering and Science of the Circus”, features James Roper, a teacher and professional circus performer who will explain how he has perfected his circus skills through engineering.

Fergal O’Hanlon will guide participants through the steps involved in building a website in one hour. Engineering lecturer, Eoin Gill, addresses the pressing issue of climate change.

Bridging the Suir is a workshop that will examine the engineering feat involved in the long-awaited bridge and Waterford bypass.