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Schoolchildren, teachers, and academics throughout the southeast are amongst those who will descend on the Institute of Technology Carlow main campus from this morning for the start of Eureka, Carlow’s new dedicated science & technology festival which kicks off today in tandem with National Science Week.
Several events for the festival, which actively promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), are already booked out. These include: The Mad Professor Workhop, the Coding & Electronics Workshop, K’Nex physics prototyping for primary school students, the blueprint challenge for TY students, the engineering and robotics workshops and the special movie screening.
Some places remain for the seminars in science, technology and engineering and for the STEM bake-off challenge. For bookings, visit www.eurekafestival.ie
The Inventorium Exhibition is now open in a specially-constructed dome in the main courtyard of Institute of Technology Carlow campus where one can view posters of many great Irish inventive minds. The exhibition was developed lecturers and post graduates of the Institute.
750 primary school children will today attend the Mad Professor Workshop to learn about science in a fun way, while 13 physics teachers from across the southeast will participate in a Coding and Electronics Workshop conducted by Institute of Technology Carlow lecturers. They will be introduced to Arduino systems, coding and electronics and this knowledge and technology back to their classrooms.
Science Seminars will take place this afternoon. "Accident, Suicide or Homicide?" with Dr. Michael Curtis, Deputy State Pathologist takes place at 2pm. “Health & Human Performance” with Prof. Niall Moyna, from DCU is scheduled for 3pm. “Feeding the People of this Sunshiny Planet”, presented by Prof. Martin Downes of Maynooth University takes place at 4pm
Organiser Dr. Darren Kavanagh, an engineering lecturer at Institute of Technology Carlow, says bookings are strongly advised for the other events, such as the STEM table quiz at the Dolmen Hotel and the conference on the work and theories of the Carlow engineer William Dargan.
“There’s been a great reaction to Eureka. There’s clearly an appetite for interactive, fun events in STEM with young and old booked to participate in seminars, debates, discussions and quizzes. I’d encourage people to book for the remaining places on events before the sell-out”, he commented.
“Many staff, emeritus staff and postgraduate students of IT Carlow are coming along to the fun table quiz on Thursday night and more are welcome. There will be prizes, finger food and fireworks after dark. We are delighted to have none other than Eugene Kernan as Quiz Master so you are guaranteed it will be a great night. The cost for each table of four is €20 and proceeds will go towards a very worthy charity, Camara”.
Eureka is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow Museum and the County Library in Carlow. Through innovative outreach to young and old in STEM subjects and topics, it is hoped that Eureka will become a flagship STEM calendar event for the region. The festival, which has been kindly supported by Science Foundation Ireland, runs during National Science Week.
For further information www.eurekafestival.ie . For Twitter, use #eurekacarlow #sfi #believeinscience #itcarlow
-ENDS-
For reference: Alma Feeley, Communications Dept, Institute of Technology Carlow
e: alma.feeley@itcarlow.ie
t: 059 9175098 m: 087 8204934