Team to demonstrate appliance of Irish science in Warsaw

THE appliance of Irish science will be on display in Warsaw this weekend as staff of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) demonstrate the thrills of maths and chemistry.

The team from WIT’s Centre for the Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology (Calmast) are no strangers to events like the European Science Picnic, hosted by the Polish capital since 1997. But this year they will be teaching members of the public to build their own rockets using household products, making ice-cream in front of their eyes and setting up outdoor maths games like the No Right-Turn Maze and a Bridges of Koninsberg puzzle.

“Given the current economic climate, we feel that it’s more important than ever that Ireland is represented positively on the international stage, and that we continue to reflect Ireland’s drive to become a smart economy,” said Calmast director Dr Sheila Donegan.

As well as spreading an international message about Irish science for the past decade, from Brussels to Korea, Calmast organises four regional science festivals each year. It also co-ordinates the annual Maths Week, which promotes enjoyment of the subject among school children and has earned the centre a number of accolades at home and abroad.

The the Calmast team chosen by the Irish Embassy in Poland to represent the country will also showcase the life and works of Waterford scientist Robert Boyle who is known as the Father of Chemistry. The group travelling to Warsaw includes staff and student volunteers, including biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers and mathematicians.

“We are fortunate to have enthusiastic experts from a range of backgrounds right on our doorstep who will give up their time willingly. Calmast is continuously working to develop Waterford as a science region and this is the ideal opportunity to show off the scientific expertise of Ireland,” said co-director Eoin Gill.