Science Festival promises packed programme of amazing discoveries

By JACQUELINE HOGGE AN amazing programme of events has been unveiled for this year's Galway Science and Technology Festival which marks the 15th year of the event. The free two-week event runs from November 12 to 25, with a final day exhibition at NUI Galway offering a family day out in addition to the many events available to students from both primary and secondary schools throughout the festival. Over 20,000 students attended last year's festival, where 14 separate shows were staged. This year, 20 shows will be performed with a multitude of interactive stands showcasing the latest in scientific and technological discoveries. The Festival aims to increase the uptake and popularity of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects among young people by bringing shows to schools throughout Galway city and county. Bigger final day[private] Following last year's huge attendance, the Final Day Exhibition has been expanded and will host 80 interactive stands representing areas including research, education, industry and the environment. It will take place at a number of venues throughout the NUI Galway campus including the Bailey Allen Hall, Orbsen and IT Buildings, the Aula Maxima and the new Engineering Building. Three brand new shows have been included to the programme, including Dr Ken's Entertaining Science Circus Show where students will learn how circus performers make use of scientific principles in their tricks and stunts. Jumping Clay by Jim Daly, an education programme for 3D clay modelling, that can be used in animation or just making popular art, and Exploring Cells for fifth and sixth class students is a hands-on practice of cellular and molecular biology for budding explorers. Popular shows making a welcome return to schools again this year include the K'nex Roadshow, which is based on a dynamic open ended spatial building system, and Blackrock Castle Observatory's StarDome where pupils can discover the wonders of the night sky in their own school hall. of recycled materials and everyday foods to learn about science. See and experience the magic of radio with a Galway Bay FM School Tour for your class and experience the technology involved in producing a live radio programme, or visit the National Computer and Communications Museum, which provides a fascinating insight to the development of communications and computing technology from ancient hieroglyphics to today's internet. NUI Galway is running many interesting shows and events to stimulate the mind including 3-D Tours of the Universe at the Centre of Astronomy, which will take the audience on a trip from the earth to nearby stars, across our galaxy to groups of stars, and finally through the whole Universe. The School of Chemistry at NUI Galway is running a Primary Schools Outreach programme, Kitchen Chemistry, aimed at introducing primary school children to the exciting world of Chemistry and the Zoology Museum and the Computer Museum will also be open on the day. GMIT will host interesting workshops for students including Skin Deep, which demonstrates how transdermal skin patches work, How Engines Work â€ËœThe Visible Stirling Engine' and the return of the very popular Forensics Workshop looking at Poisons and Forgeries. Gerard Kilcommins, VP of Global Vascular Operations and General Manager Galway Site Medtronic, said the multinational was a proud principal sponsor of the festival for the past ten years. 'We are delighted to have experienced the journey that has seen the event evolve and flourish into one of the highlights in the calendars of the educational and science communities,' he said. Galway Science and Technology Festival Chairman Tom Hyland said the festival had grown and developed into a very significant vehicle for the promotion of the STEM subjects to young people. 'We also appreciate the support of our partners Galway Enterprise Board, Discover Science and Engineering, Cisco and Boston Scientific, who help bring excitement and fun to science and technology for children and families across the city and county,' he said. Growing reputation Professor Tom Sherry, Dean of Science at NUI Galway said Ireland's reputation for technology, research and innovation was growing year by year. 'Galway's annual Science and Technology Festival is a great opportunity to provide future generations of third level students with an enthralling experience of the boundless possibilities and the sheer fun of science and technology,' he said. 'We hope that the exciting festival line-up will inspire many of our young visitors both to make their future careers in science and technology and to help to continue Ireland's burgeoning success.' The programme of events is available at www.galwayscience.ie and the Festival Exhibition will open at 10am on Sunday, November 25. Bookings can be made at www.galwayscience.eventbrite.com to help people plan their day.[/private]