Science Week 2022

14 Nov 2022

Science Week took place from 13-20 November and featured lots of exciting events and activities involving our Schools and research centres here at the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science. Science Foundation Ireland supports Science Week nationally by providing a focused annual platform that stimulates, supports and creates awareness of science related activity developed to engage with the public.

With a mix of virtual and in-person events, Science Week aims to ensure that there is something for all ages and interests. Some of the events that were organised by UCC are listed below: 

Appetite for Knowledge

Organised by the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Appetite for Knowledge is a science communications competition for secondary schools. Funded by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme and sponsored by Dairygold Health and Nutrition the event was hosted in UCC’s historic Aula Maxima. The competition was specifically designed to engage transition year and other senior cycle students in Irish secondary schools.

Find out more

Celebrate Science Family Day, Western Gateway Building, UCC

Celebrate Science was a free to attend family science day featuring a combination of sit-down science shows, hands-on workshops and drop-in table top activity stands.

Packed full of amazing activities for all ages - including dinosaurs, robots, Harry Potter, and LEGO and APC Microbiome activity stand along with their famous inflatable alimentary canal! Staff from our Science Foundation Ireland supported research centres were on hand to demonstrate their groundbreaking research to a large public audience.

Find out more

Casting Harry Potter spells in Minecraft with Python code

The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics and the The SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence and the School of Computer Science and Information Technology, UCC organised a series of short coding workshops for Cork Science Festival.

The aim was to teach children basic Python coding using the Minecraft platform. The Python code delivered had a Magic theme, making the effect from the code output like Harry Potter's spell. Python is one of the most popular programming languages in recent years which means Python developers are in high demand in the IT industry.

Tyndall National Institute - Virtual Lab Visits (Post-Primary)

Participants had the opportunity to get behind the scenes access to the Tyndall National Institute in the company of SFI Research Centres IPIC and CONNECT. A chance to ook into the world of deep-tech and explore the innovative ways in which we are changing the worlds of technology and industry.

Tyndall National Institute - Crafty Science 

Students were introduced to electricity, electronics, new terminology and key pieces that are required to make a circuit work. They had the opportunity to create a fully functioning paper circuit card out of copper tape, a coin cell battery and a LED (Light Emitting Diode). 

Tyndall National Institute - Communicating with Light

This workshop delved into how we communicate and the science behind our communication technologies including WiFi and fiber optics. Participants had the opportunity to test their own communication strategy before taking part in a head-to-head fiber optic race.

School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology DNA workshop

This workshop provided students with the opportunity to use molecular biology techniques to genotype a family for a genetic disease and to isolate DNA from various cell types.

Skin Deep: The connection between skin health and the microbiome

APC Microbiome Ireland brought together some of Ireland’s top skincare professionals for an exciting event at Hayfield Manor Hotel, exploring the ground-breaking world of the skin microbiome - the science behind skincare, how your microbiome influences your skin health and what to look out for in skincare products to target your microbes.

RTE broadcaster and science communicator Kathriona Devereux led the discussion featuring voices from skin and microbiome research, dermatology, the beauty industry, and product development.

Journey into STEM: Post-Primary Career Talk

Have you considered a career in physics or engineering? Students learned about the career paths of some of the best and brightest physicists and engineers at Tyndall National Institute.

Native Scientist French Workshop

Organised by APC Microbiome Ireland. During this hands-on workshop, French-speaking scientists met young children in the community for a science workshop in the French language. This workshop was an opportunity for children to practice their language skills and develop their interest in science.  The workshop was aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years who speak some French at home.

Information: Atelier scientifique en Français pour les enfants - City (google.com) or contact florence.herisson@nativescientist.com

Nationwide Poll to find Ireland's Favourite Fossil

Ireland’s Fossil Heritage, a public engagement project based at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC, ran a nationwide poll for Science Week to find out who would be the winner of Ireland's favourite fossil.

Ireland’s unique fossil heritage spans over 500 million years of Earth history and includes some of the earliest evidence for fossil animals and for life on land, but what is the nation’s favourite one?

The team prepared a shortlist of 10 of the most incredible fossils from around the country, from fossil plants to animals and even fossil footprints! https://www.ucc.ie/en/fossil-heritage/ 

Physiology Workshop for Primary Schools 

The Department of Physiology, UCC ran a fun interactive workshop based on the physiological systems of the body aimed at primary school students. The event took place in Gael Scoil na Duglaise, Cork.

Contact: Dr Marcella Burke, Department of Physiology, m.burke@ucc.ie