Record Participation in Science Week 2010
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‘An Eye for Nano Science’ by Sinead O’Neill
‘Bubble Reflections’ by Kim Broderick
‘Cool Crystals’ by Cynthia Ebere-Anaba
Record participation as over 115,000 people attend events as part of Science Week Ireland 2010
Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) has announced a record participation in Science Week 2010 as over 115,000 people attended events across the country. Science Week Ireland 2010 was also one of the most successful Science Weeks to date with over 505 events taking place throughout the week, a 12% increase from 449 events in 2009.
Peter Brabazon, Programme Director, Discover Science and Engineering, said,
Science Week 2010 has been a great success and it’s fantastic to see the rise in popularity this year with 505 events taking place, an increase of 12% since 2009. The increased student numbers and record attendance at Science Week also points to the growing popularity of science, technology, engineering and maths among young people. I would like to thank everyone who got involved with Science Week this year which wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm and support of the volunteers and partners.
Coinciding with Science Week, a HEA report on CAO acceptance figures was also released. The figures were positive for science, computing and engineering courses, with computing and engineering acceptance rates remaining stable. Science acceptances increased in 2009/10 to 10.3% of all acceptances and have remained stable in 2010/11 at 10.2%. This is the highest rate of acceptance in 10 years.
The final official Science Week event took place on Saturday 21st November as the Galway Science and Technology Exhibition took place in the Bailey Allen Hall NUI Galway. The event was opened by Maire Geoghan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, and featured 3D Tours of the Universe, science entertainment shows and workshops for students.
The winners of two national competitions which took place during Science Week – Science Snaps and Science Raps –were also announced. Science Snaps, a national photography competition, had three categories – general public, senior cycle and junior cycle. Bernard Dunne came first in the General Public category for his image ‘Science Leaps’. First place in the Senior Cycle Category went to Sinead O’Neill, a student of St. Flannan’s College, Ennis Co. Clare, for her image ‘An Eye for Nano Science’. Katie Riordan, a student of Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Cork, was awarded first place in the Junior Cycle Category for her image ‘Coloured Transpiration’. A gallery of all of the photo entries can be seen at www.pix.ie/go/sciencesnaps.
Hosted by Discover Science and Engineering and the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC), University College Cork, Science Raps challenged students to unleash their inner rapper and express themselves and their thoughts about science and technology through rap music. Students were asked to compose and video a rap on this year’s Science Week theme, ‘Our Place in Space.’
Rory O’Connor from Fermoy, Co. Cork was awarded first place in the over 17 category for his creative rap entitled ‘E=MC’. The first prize in the 16 and under category went to Catherine Finn from Clondalkin, Co. Dublin for her effort ‘The Universal Rap’ which struck a chord with judges for her clever use of rap music to express her thoughts about science. All of the Science Raps entries can be seen at www.youtube.com/user/Pharmabiotic
The aim of Science Week is to promote the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our everyday lives and to demonstrate the importance of these disciplines to the future development of Irish society and the economy.
Science Week Ireland is organised by Discover Science & Engineering, the Government’s integrated programme for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awareness and promotion.
