For Secondary Schools

We are bringing the latest innovations to our communities to educate and inspire the next generation of engineers.

Titan II, a 35-tonne interactive truck, brings innovation to life by providing a hands-on experience of engineering and technology used in industry today. It showcases the latest innovations such as Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, robotics, the Internet of Things and thermal imaging, plus virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

The truck is touring the UK and Ireland visiting schools, colleges and universities, exhibitions and events, as well as customers and suppliers.

Titan II replaced Titan I, which welcomed over 7,000 customers on board and enabled over 1,000 students to interact with technologies that support the STEM curriculum.

Titan II will visit Galway on Monday 11^th November.

TO BOOK: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

I’m sure it is Science, with a lot of demos and laughs. Ian B Quinn brings you some of the most entertaining stand up science in a science show. A favourite show for Ian to perform, not only because he gets to play with his favourite toys, do his best demos but he thoroughly enjoys the look on the faces of the audiences and the noises they make.  Always evolving and featuring new demos and toys, his singing tesla coil for instance.

TO BOOK: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

Superheroes in the Marvel and DC films are capable of extraordinary superhuman feats. Supergirl can effortlessly lift cars, trains and aeroplanes; Tony Stark can fly around New York City in an Iron Man suit; Spider-Man can climb walls; and Captain Marvel can fire energy blasts from her arms. But how likely is it that we’ll be able to replicate these superpowers in the future?

In the Secrets of Superhero Science, you will explore the science behind the superpowers of some of your favourite superheroes. You will learn about genetic mutations and the X-Men, the advanced eyesight of Hawkeye, the possibility of shrinking in size just like Ant-Man and the Wasp, the advanced technologies in the Iron Man suit, and real-life superpower-like technologies such as bullet-proof spider silk human skin! In addition, you’ll learn how we might manage superpowers and decide who gets to use them in the future.

Are you ready to unlock the Secrets of Superhero Science?

Talk followed by a tour of Galway’s Computer Museum.  Details to follow

TO BOOK: email: brendan.smith@insight-centre.org

For the beginning of Space Week 2018, Dublin City University will host the first of two Space Career Roadshows in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland, ESERO Ireland and CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory. These roadshows will provide students with an excellent opportunity to engage with space industry professionals, and third level institutions, so that they can get a taste of the exciting opportunities that a STEM career in Space has to offer.

TO BOOK: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

Recent recipient of the Grace Hopper Award at the Dublin Web Summit, Brenda Romero of Romero Games gives a one hour talk to Transition Year students about the Gaming Industry and life as a Game Developer. A truly inspirational talk on the gaming and tech industry and how Brenda runs her global company from her office in Galway.

Brenda is a BAFTA award-winning game designer, artist and Fulbright award recipient who entered the video game industry in 1981. As a designer, she has worked on 47 games and contributed to many seminal titles, including the Wizardry and Jagged Alliance series and titles in the Ghost Recon, Dungeons & Dragons and Def Jam franchises.

TO BOOK: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

Join Scientific Sue on yet another ROAR-some journey of scientific discovery!

Learn about how Paleontologists, the intrepid explorers of unchartered territories, discover fossils of prehistoric proportions and then use them to unravel the puzzles surrounding the lives of dinosaurs.  This unique, educational and entertaining show investigates and explores some mind-boggling dilemmas of the magnificent sauropod: DIPLODOCUS.

What is so special about their tails?

How did they digest the huge amount of plant food required to feed their humongous bodies?

Why are so many fossilised sauropods unearthed headless?!

A fun informative show for all filled with brilliant science. Promoting the concept of working scientifically these questions and many, many more. Come and join her on her latest journey of scientific discover and find out about the amazing science fossils and the importance of the environment to plants and animals.

To book: please use the school booking form

An exciting introduction to Zoology with very charismatic and exotic creatures.  Dr Michel Dugon, aka The Bug Doctor, who recently featured on Ted.com, will come to your school with a collection of live arthropods and reptiles dealing with essential scientific topics such as evolution, biodiversity and animal conservation.

To book: please use the school booking form

Become a ‘Planet Champion’ and save the world!

You will look at the challenge of climate change by exploring how our activities result in greenhouse gas emissions. You’ll explore the science behind our changing climate by launching rockets and hot air balloons. The aim of the workshop is to explore solutions to the climate crisis and to make changes in our lives for a better future.

To book: please use the school booking form

“The Science of Climate Change”.

No politics, no prejudices, just science. James Soper presents a brand new show that explores the science of our climate, how it is changing, and the personal, social and global importance of science and technology to our society. 

Written specifically for Irish schools, and to cover the Junior Cert curriculum, this show will give students and teachers plenty to consider in James’ trademark interactive, engaging and sometimes explosive style.

To book: please use the school booking form

In partnership with Science Foundation Ireland, this STEM programme links the strands of the junior cycle science curriculum: Earth and Space, Chemical World, Physical World and Biological World, to varied careers and ?elds of study in STEM. With hands-on activities students journey through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and career talks by engineers working in the PorterShed………………. uncover the future possibilities within.

TO BOOK: email: rfogarty@jai.ie

One day IT workshop for Transition Year students including a IT career talk and introducing students to a range of digital skills such as Web Design, App Development, 3D Digital Design, Game Development, Graphic Design, Coding, etc. All necessary equipment provided.

To book: please use the school booking form

See and experience the magic of radio with a school tour for your class to the headquarters of Galway Bay FM, Galway’s No.1 radio station.  Learn how to make advertisements and experience the technology involved in producing a live radio programme.

To book: please use the school booking form

The annual ISTA quiz will take place in GMIT.  It is open to senior Cycle Students.  More details on how to enter from the ISTA  – http://www.ista.ie/regional-finals-of-senior-science-quiz

TO BOOK: email: conneallym@gmail.com

Appropriate use of antibiotics is key to halting the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Understanding what antibiotics are and when it is appropriate to use them will help to protect these important drugs for future generations. The aim of the workshop is to help children understand the differences between microorganisms, to appreciate the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infection, and to understand when it is appropriate to use antibiotics and how to dispose of them correctly.

TO BOOK: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

Irish director Tom Burke’s Losing Alaska is a telling document for our times, and an absorbing account of how one Alaskan community of some 375 souls suffers the impact of global warming as rising water levels threaten their very existence. The film gets underway with Bob Dylan on the soundtrack, singing High Water; which seems entirely apposite, with overhead shots of the soupy-brown Alaskan landscape, pockets of melting ice and what they continually call ‘the river’ that is getting dangerously close.

The movie is followed by a panel discussion with Keelan & Ellie Montcrief.

TO BOOK: click here: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

I’m sure it is Science, with a lot of demos and laughs. Ian B Quinn brings you some of the most entertaining stand up science in a science show. A favourite show for Ian to perform, not only because he gets to play with his favourite toys and do his best demos but he thoroughly enjoys the look on the faces of the audiences and the noises they make. 

This show is always evolving and featuring new demos and toys, such as Ian’s singing tesla coil. See here for a preview: https://youtu.be/VebB-D61XDM 

TO BOOK: click here: email: galwayscience.events@gmail.com

To celebrate the 2019 Galway Science & Technology Festival theme of ‘Climate Action’ we are offering every primary and secondary school in Galway city and county the opportunity to plant trees on November 11th at 11am, each school in Galway city and county will be offered the opportunity to plant a tree in a co-ordinated tree-planting effort for the Galway Science Festival. Over 2,000 free trees, donated by Coillte and sponsored by local company Aerogen, will be provided to schools. To celebrate this event, the first tree was planted at Medtronic during the programme launch.

We are calling on all schools to avail of this opportunity to help support the local environment. There will be an allocation of four trees per school and trees can be planted on school grounds or in the local community.  The pick-up point for collecting the trees TBC.  We are asking that if your school is not in a position to collect the trees, that you call on parents and/or members of your local community who may be travelling to Galway city to help with this task and support this initiative.

To help spread the word on this initiative, we would be delighted if your school would post to your social media a photo of the event with the #galwayscience hashtag to enable us to see your planting.

Please use the School Booking Form to request your trees.

Understanding climate change can be a difficult task and knowing what you can do to help can be even harder.

To celebrate this year’s Galway Science and Technology Festival, Galway Atlantaquaria are running their One Small Change Workshop, where students will be introduced to the basics of what Climate Change is all about.

They will examine several common materials which are used in daily life, such as plastic packaging, wet wipes and synthetic clothes and are asked to explore their life cycles from creation to end of life.

They will discuss the sources and impacts of marine litter and discuss simple solutions to the problem.

The class will play our climate change game, where they will see the effects that small positive and negative actions have on our ocean.

Finally, each student will choose one small change they feel they could make to have a positive effect.

This workshop is suitable for  secondary school students.

It looks to provide knowledge and content to your class to empower them with one realistic action they can make to help combat climate change.

TO BOOK: email: info@nationalaquarium.ie

Join our team of scientists and engineers who carry out research into treatment for strokes and heart-attacks.  Explore a model of blood circulation and see how medical technology is being used to treat patients with various conditions such as stroke.

Booking:  Contact GMIT Science Office at scienceoffice@gmit.ie

Join our scientists for an introduction to Transfusion Science. Students will learn about the ABO blood group system and blood transfusions in a fun interactive way.

Booking:  Contact GMIT Science Office at scienceoffice@gmit.ie

The popular activity-based workshop returns where you can explore the world of athlete performance, exercise and nutrition.  Join our team of sports and nutrition scientists as they put you through your paces.

Booking:  Contact GMIT Science Office at scienceoffice@gmit.ie

The average European spends upwards of 70% of their time indoors and so indoor air quality plays an important role in human health. In this workshop, students will learn about indoor pollutants and sources and will get a chance to measure concentrations of one common pollutant, CO2 in their classroom.

To book:  School Booking Form

The ‘Twomey in a bottle’ workshop seeks to give an overview to students about atmospheric physics concerned in radioactive warming or cooling of the planet. Through demonstrations of cloud formations in a bottle and why the sky is blue, we showcase atmospheric physics and how it relates to climate change and cloud formation. This will cover concepts of global warming, climate change, and how we study these things at Mace Head Research Station.

To book: School Booking Form

Want to learn about what you breathe? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this workshop, we will discuss everything from climate change and air pollution to sources of pollutants and indoor air. Do you really know what you inhale? We’ll help you see what you breathe every day and what you could be exposed to.   Main learning objectives: Learn

• how the respiratory system works
• What we breathe every day
• If we are exposed to air pollution, where does it go and how does it affect our lungs?
• Different sources and types of exposure
• Will use a model of the respiratory system to show students where the pollution goes depending on particle size.
• Use interactive breathing equipment to test people’s lungs

Want to learn about what you breathe? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this workshop, we will discuss everything from climate change and air pollution to sources of pollutants and indoor air. Do you really know what you inhale? We’ll help you see what you breathe every day and what you could be exposed to.

To book:  School Booking Form

Explore the magic of the 3D world! Build shapes with paper and plastic, and break them down again, to discover the amazing things that can happen.

To book:  School Booking Form

This workshop will teach you about the effects of exercise on the brain, and current research in Ireland to treat diseases of the brain. You will also get the chance to strengthen your brain by trying out some circus performance skills!  

Summary of topics covered: ? What a neuron is. ? How a neuron sends and receives a message. ? The general function of neurotransmitters. ? The cause of Parkinson’s disease (lack of dopamine). ? Exercises that require greater mental focus create new neural pathways in the brain. ? A brain with a more complex and varied neural network is stronger and may age more slowly later in life

To Book:  School Booking Form

Colour changing plants – magic or science? The objectives of the workshop are to determine the difference between acids and bases; to discuss the importance of studying acids and bases; to perform an experiment to identify acids and bases using plant-derived indicators.

This workshop is based on the properties of anthocyanins that have a different chemical structure in different plants. In particular, red cabbage contains a water-soluble pigment anthocyanin that changes to discrete colour when it is mixed with an acid or a base in pH range 2-12.

To Book:  School Booking Form

The aim of the proposed project is to promote chemistry at secondary school level, begin a solid and prolific cooperation between NUIG and secondary schools and orientate teenagers in their future choice.

We would like to engage secondary school students in the final year stage of their study.

We wish to make chemistry more approachable and concrete, we hope to bring chemistry out of the textbook and give to the students a real opportunity to apply the theory they learned in the past and get in contact with analytical techniques which will be subject of their leaving certs exam.

To book:  email KitchenChemistryNUIG@nuigalway.ie