12th November 2018
Scientific Discovery on the Agenda for Science Week 2018 through Science Foundation Ireland’s #StopAndAsk Campaign
Science Week takes place from 11-18 November
The Government of Ireland, through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is preparing for its biggest ever national Science Week 2018 with 1200 events taking place. This year more events than ever before will take place around the country, from Cork to Cavan, and Waterford to Galway. Throughout Science Week, SFI will be running its #StopAndAsk campaign, which is now in its second year, which will see the public being encouraged to pose questions about the world around them on social media. The campaign will see the public join in on the scientific process with a variety of expert researchers providing insights to their questions.
The variety of questions can range from the weird to the wonderful, and some of the #StopAndAsk questions that are already on the agenda for discovery include: “Could Spiderman really exist?”, “If I breathe in enough helium would I float?” and “How does an autistic brain work compared to a neurotypical one?”.
Speaking about Science Week 2018, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said: “Science Week represents an opportunity for the people of Ireland and the scientific community to connect. We have seen tremendous advancements in Ireland in recent years, with strides made in the technological and scientific spheres. In Ireland, we have some of the world’s top researchers and Science Week will allow the public the chance to discover the answers to the world around them. With hundreds of events taking place across Ireland I would encourage people of all ages to get involved and find their local event”
Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said: “Science Week is a great initiative by Science Foundation Ireland as it dedicates a week to science and technology, a key driver behind some of the great work that is being done in Ireland today. The public all around the country are being afforded the opportunity to attend events facilitated by some of the country’s leading scientists. They are also being asked to get involved on social media by asking questions about anything they have ever wondered. Science Week is a fantastic opportunity for the public to get more involved with science that should not be missed.”
A sample of the Science Week events taking place across the country that should not be missed include:
• Sunday Funday for Families will take place on Sunday 11 November at 1pm at the Lismore Heritage Centre, Co. Waterford.
• Gut Health, Fitness and Performance – APC Forum, features leading Irish rower, Mark O’Donovan, Lead Performance Nutritionist with Munster Rugby, Emma Tester, Dr Orla O’Sullivan of APC Microbiome and Teagasc, and many more, on Monday 12 November at 7pm at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
• The Cavan/Monaghan Science Festival will be host to Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario with Doctor Smith, Theoretical Zombiologist, on Tuesday 13 November at 7pm at the Market House in Co. Monaghan.
• RTÉ One will show GROWING UP LIVE, an insight into the extraordinary development of humans from birth to death, presented by Angela Scanlon from an Anatomy Museum in Dublin. The programme will air at 7pm on November 13, 14 and 15.
• The Midlands Festival is taking a Reptile Zoo to the Banagher Library in Co. Offaly from 11am to 1pm, with shows every half an hour, on Saturday November 17.
• Suzanne Kane’s and PJ Gallagher’s Dubland podcast will feature a Science Week takeover at the Laughter Lounge at 7pm on Tuesday 13 November.
• Gulp, a popular element of Electric Picnic’s ‘Theatre of Food’, with broadcaster, Jonathan McCrea, and Dalkey Food Company’s, Ivan Varian, will take place at The Sugar Club at 7pm on Thursday 15 November.
The number of events mean that there is something there for all ages and interests. To find out more about what is taking place near you during Science Week visit www.scienceweek.ie.
Keep an eye out for the #StopAndAsk from 11-18 November and get involved!
ENDS
For Further Information
Drury Porter Novelli
Claire Rowley / Paul Clifford
01 260 5000
scienceweek@drurypn.ie
Notes to Editor
Science Weeks official accounts are:
Twitter: @ScienceWeek or twitter.com/ScienceWeek
Facebook: @ScienceWeekIreland or www.facebook.com/ScienceWeekIreland/
Instagram: scienceireland or www.instagram.com/scienceireland/
Notes to Editor
About Science Foundation Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research Science Foundation Ireland funds oriented basic and applied research in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) which promotes and assists the development and competitiveness of industry, enterprise and employment in Ireland. The Foundation also promotes and supports the study of, and engagement with STEM and promotes an awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and in particular to the growth of the economy. Science Foundation Ireland’s #BelieveInScience campaign promotes the potential that science and discovery offer Ireland, today and in tomorrow’s world. See www.ScienceFoundationIreland.ie.
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