Why should scientists do public outreach?

I am strongly committed to engagement with the general public in order to stimulate wider interest in science – and the natural world – among children and adults of the non-scientific community. See here for a recent presentation I gave on this topic to UCC’s most talented students.

Other outreach activities that I’ve been involved with include:

• Teaching primary-level children about rocks, minerals and fossils at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
• Full-time outreach work in what is now the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark
• ‘Earth Science for Educators’ training from the Earth Science Education Unit at Keele University

We are actively looking for schools or classes from primary and secondary schools, especially those in Deis or rural areas and the islands, to partner with us as we roll out our exciting “Ireland’s Fossil Heritage” project nationwide! If you are interested in having us visit your class or school please click here for more details!

Primary- and secondary school students are welcome to visit my research laboratory as part of a laboratory tour at UCC, and Transition Years are welcome to apply for the Transition Year placement scheme.

My group is involved in diverse outreach activities that include: