13 Jun 2005

Ireland's Largest Science Website Launched, 13 June

Ireland's biggest public understanding of science website was opened today (13 June 2005) - just days before Leaving and Junior certificate students sit their exams.

The website is the brainchild of University College Cork's Professor William Reville who built it on behalf of the Faculty of Science at UCC - and it comes just days before tens of thousands of science students sit their exams.

"This new website is aimed at the general adult public and also at second level pupils - and appropriately as students sit their exams this week, it contains a careers and courses in science and technology, " said Professor Reville.

"The site is designed like a magazine, and aims to engage people with science, so it includes lots of popular science sections, such as famous Irish scientists, science in the news, understanding the natural world, scientific quotations and even, science and humour, " added Professor Reville.

"I built the site with the assistance and advice of faculty colleagues, and as Editor, I hope it will make people, particularly young people, enthusiastic and curious about science and technology.  I hope the website will become a valuable national resource, " said Professor Reville of the Faculty of Science at UCC.

Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Dean of Science, UCC said "This website is much more than an informative showcase for the many aspects science that underpin our modern society. It communicates the excitement of science and scientific discovery. We hope that it will become an important educational tool for the parents and teachers of the next generation of young scientists in Ireland."

Professor Reville added: "There are lots of links to other science websites on http://understandingscience.ucc.ie and there is also a letters page, so people can contact me about current scientific issues or comments on the site - or even discuss how they got on in their Leaving and Junior Cert exams."

Leaving Certificate science students sit their exams on 20/21 June and Junior Certificate students face their science exam on this Thursday 16  June.

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