An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. and Science Foundation Ireland are calling on businesses, communities and professionals in Kerry to take part in Science Week 2016 from the 13-20 November which will see Kerry hosting its first ever regional science festival. Science is all around us; from technology to food, from healthcare to entertainment, from transport to energy – science forms a part of almost everything we do. However, according to the SFI Science in Ireland Barometer, almost three quarters of the population still feel that developments in science and technology are too specialised for them to understand.
This festival, the first of its kind in Kerry, will see Kerry celebrate where science is found in the everyday in and around the county. A programme of public events will be easily accessible to Kerry audiences including: STEM in Brewing as Gaeilge, featuring the Killarney Brewing Company & Dingle Brewing Company; STEM in Sport; and STEM goes Underground, will which demonstrate how STEM was used to locate and develop the Crag Caves as a tourism product. A number organisations like the IDA, GAA and Astronomy Ireland, to name but a few, have already confirmed that they will run individual Science Week events. A number of businesses all over the county will take the opportunity to show employees, teenagers and children all about how science plays a role in their work. Science Foundation Ireland has partnered with organisations and businesses across Ireland, including science festivals in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, the Midlands and Sligo. In addition to the new festival in Kerry, there will also be new festivals in Cavan/Monaghan, and a Teagasc-run festival will see science events spanning eight counties. At the announcement, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. said: “I want to ask communities, businesses, sporting organisations, public bodies, schools – any organisation in Kerry, big or small – to get involved in Science Week 2016, which is taking place from 13-20 November. Science, technology, engineering and maths all play a huge role in our everyday lives and in our economy. Our scientific achievements in Ireland are something to really be proud of and Science Week is an opportunity for us all to express that pride and get engaged with the science all around us. Organisations can run their own event, or get involved in Science Week through the activities and festivals that will be happening countrywide. I hope this year’s Science Week will see science celebrated in every corner of Ireland.” Speaking about the new festival in Kerry, Director of Strategy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland, Dr. Ruth Freeman said: “This is the first time Kerry will have a regional science festival for Science Week and their success in receiving Science Foundation Ireland funding is really remarkable. They are running brilliant events for young and old all over Kerry, highlighting how science is all around us, playing a part in every aspect of our lives. With events in English and Irish, in businesses and schools, sports and community organisations – we are confident that Kerry’s first regional science festival will be a great success.” An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. has been joined in his call to action by CEO of Altocloud and RTÉ Dragon, Barry O’Sullivan and RTÉ Weather presenter, Evelyn Cusack. Evelyn uses Science Week as an opportunity to share weather science facts, while Barry’s industry experience highlights why and how organisations big and small can get involved in the celebrations.
