Discovery 2009
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Now in its 5th year, Discovery2009 will run in
Cork’s City Hall from the 14-18th November.Marcela Whelan, organizer of Corks’ Discovery 2009 festival of science, recalls where her interest in science stemmed from:
“I remember, when I was young, my older brothers were studying various science, technology and maths subjects - one electronics, one plant science and one nautical studies. Whenever they came home from college, they would get me involved in little projects, like making a light alarm or using a sextant. I loved science in school, at least up to Junior Cert. (or the Inter, as it was way back when). My school didn’t have the resources to teach physics or a full honours maths class, so I chose biology and chemistry.
When I left school, I went completely away from science as a career and gained an Arts degree, ending up in local development. But I was always a bit of a gadget buff at home, and often found myself watching the Discovery Channel or Brainiac rather than the soaps on TV. As my children grew up, I would tell them interesting little science-y facts about how the world works, like how clouds are made.”
The Discovery event, run in association with Science Week Ireland, aims to encourage young people to take science, technology, engineering and higher level maths to Leaving Cert and beyond, thus ensuring the high-skills pool for industry into the future.
Now in its 5th year, Discovery2009 will run in Cork’s City Hall from the 14-18th November. As well as an Interactive Science Exhibition we will be providing outreach to schools and other locations, like libraries and local companies. This year, due to popular demand there will be two family days in City Hall, on the 14th and 15th.
Help and entertainment for Discover 2009 comes from local educational bodies such as UCC, CIT, Tyndall National Institute and FÁS, as well as the Lifetime Lab, BCO and Fota Wildlife Park, Junior Achievement, STEPS to Engineering, Techniquest and Steve Thomas. Company support also comes from Pfizer, Musgraves, FMC, and Schering Plough
People should go to www.scienceweek.ie or www.corkcity.ie/discovery close to the event to see what extras are planned this year - last year the satellite link to the Antarctic Transition Year BeAble programme was an unmissable late addition!
Marcela says that “Although money is definitely tighter for everyone this year, there is increased support for encouraging young people into the sciences. I’ve noticed more willingness from trade skills and services.”
The exhibition content is aimed at 10-15 year olds, but on Family Day everyone from toddlers to grandparents will enjoy the show - Discovery is for anyone who enjoys exploring how things work.
For more information, and for dates and times of Discovery 2009 go to www.corkcity.ie/discovery.
