Science Week started early this year for the Alimentary Pharmabiotic
Centre (APC) and Teagasc with scientists visiting several thousand
children at 63 primary schools throughout Cork to spread the message of
the magic of science.
MicrobeMagic@Schools Week is part of the APC's education and outreach
programme to bring science to society. In a novel way of
educating school children about digestion and health, the APC has
developed a game "GutBuster Mobile" that can now be played on the
mobile phone. In this educational game, Sergeant Luke
O'Cyte is controlled as he battles to protect the gut wall from Pat
O'Gen and the E.Coli Crew. The game, originally developed by UCC
student, Jonathon Dwyer as part of his MSc in Multimedia, was launched
at the APC's stand at Discovery 2006 this week in the City Hall.
To download the game, just enter the URL listed on
http://microbemagic.ucc.ie for your phone model into your WAP
browser.
Dr Sheila Morgan based at APC's Teagasc Moorepark laboratories was
awarded a Science Live Bursary by the RDS and Discover Science and
Engineering for her exciting interactive presentation "The Circulatory
System - what keeps you ticking?" which was presented at the RDS in
October and subsequently throughout primary schools in county
Cork. The children learned all about the heart, blood and
breathing, learning to use a stethoscope and take their pulses in the
process. Linked with this were educational & interactive
activities and the annual MicrobeMagic@School Quiz. "Today's
children are both intrigued by the mysteries and inspired by the magic
of science. There is a responsibility on all APC scientists to
share their expertise and enthusiasm with the next generation of
scientists and engineers; who will be essential to Ireland's knowledge
economy" said Ms Andrea Doolan, Co-ordinator MicrobeMagic @ Schools
APC's primary schools' programme.
In addition to partaking in Discovery 2006, the APC also participated
in UCC's Science Week activities with interactive presentations on
Digestion and Health for primary and secondary schools held at UCC.
The APC is a research centre focusing on gastrointestinal health funded
by Science Foundation Ireland and by investment from industry; 10% of
its budget is dedicated to education and outreach to society.
334MMcS
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