| 2004 |
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YEAR BOOK |
CALMAST – Centre for the Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology
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CALMAST – Centre for the Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology
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Creating the knowledge society requires a big increase in the take up of science, engineering and technology subjects at second and third level. To create and sustain an R&D critical mass in this country will require development of a pipeline from primary through to fourth level and on to industry. To achieve this, society as a whole must value science. The aspiration of CALMAST is to reposition science in modern Irish culture. To do this, CALMAST is promoting, supporting and researching the learning of maths, science and technology. While many of the activities are aimed at the public, the bulk of CALMAST's work is with schools – pupils and teachers.
CALMAST contributes on a regional and national level. CALMAST contributes on a national level with the Irish Independent Primary Science Supplements and various displays introducing people, young and old, to the fun and wonder of science at, for instance, the ESAT BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. This year, CALMAST was pleased to support the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Dublin.
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Science and Culture
The five month long ReJoyce festival commemorated the centenary of Bloomsday last summer and was probably the largest cultural event in recent times. CALMAST was pleased to participate, and presented a public lecture at the RIA entitled 'The Fascination for Maths, Science and Engineering in the Mind of Joyce', without which there would have been no mention of science, despite science featuring widely in Joyce's work. This event successfully positioned science within a literary festival. The science and arts communities were well represented in the large attendance and the science-arts interface was reflected in the presenters: CALMAST's Eoin Gill and WIT's head of applied arts, Dr Michael Howlett.
The centenary of Waterford born Ernest Walton was commemorated in fitting manner last December, through a lecture on his life and work by his son, Professor Philip Walton of NUIG. CALMAST believes that we must put the story back into science.
Primary School Science Supplement
The theme of the Irish Independent's 2003 Christmas supplement for primary schools was the science of Christmas. It was written by CALMAST and circulated directly to over 2000 primary schools throughout the country, as well as being included in the newspaper. The reception of this supplement from teachers, parents and pupils was so positive that CALMAST and the Irish Independent have extended the programme for primary schools.
Supporting Teachers and Learners
November 2003 saw the inaugural annual CALMAST conference entitled Innovations in Science Teaching. This event brought primary teachers together with secondary school maths and science teachers and third level specialists. A number of general sessions, followed by 11 individual workshops were designed to support the professional practitioner.
An in-career summer course on Science for Primary Schools was developed and presented at WIT in July. In response to demand from teachers, a graduate course has been developed at WIT. CALMAST also supports learners directly through a number of activities. Learning support in science and maths is provided in disadvantaged areas to combat early school leaving. Another initiative, Science through Sport, is being developed in association with the Waterford Area Partnership.
Research
CALMAST is currently managing several research projects. Research is important to identify and understand the barriers to the take-up and learning of science, develop solutions and also to share international best practice. A major study on attitudes to science and preparedness for it in primary schools is nearing completion.
Promotion of Science – Events
In the past year, CALMAST has continued to deliver high quality science events to schools and the public. CALMAST organised Waterford Science Week with over 50 sessions attracting an attendance of over 5000. Among the highlights were the London Science Museum's Bubble Show for 5–7 year olds and the participative Science of Sport from the UK. The Armagh Planetarium's Stardome, which stayed the whole week, again proved popular. The science, engineering and technology exhibition, SET Expo, supported by local industry and several state bodies, presented interactive displays on most areas of science, engineering and technology.
The full programme was sent to all primary and secondary schools in the south-east region, and 3000 bookings were made within two days. Demand far exceeded places for most events and this demonstrates the appetite for carefully selected well-presented science events.
'Science for science sake' is the philosophy of CALMAST. The message that has been received is that science is unpopular and that the reason to take science subjects is that there is a skills shortage. We must however return to the idea that studying science is enjoyable and challenging; develops reasoning and enables better understanding of our world. We can also add that there are good careers in science, engineering and technology. We do not encourage the study of poetry because the country needs more poets!
Regional Science Hub
CALMAST sees itself as a hub, enabling primary and secondary teachers to work together and with third level to share resources, expertise and experience for the benefit of the learners and to make connections between learners at all three levels. Progress in this area has seen a secondary science club set up at St Paul's Community School, Waterford. Also under the auspices of CALMAST, science teachers from St Paul's have organised a series of workshops for neighbouring primary schools.
CALMAST has developed a number of programmes itself, mostly offered within the region. CALMAST is also happy to act as a regional co-ordinator for other national programmes such as the STEPS KNEX Junior Engineer for Ireland and WITS Role Model Days. CALMAST is equally happy to share programmes with other institutions wishing to offer them in other regions.
CALMAST is also prepared to share its expertise with any new endeavours setting up.
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Board of CALMAST: Frank O'Regan,
European Vice-President, Bausch & Lomb;
Tom McCabe,
General Manager, IVAX Ireland;
Marilyn O'Riordain,
Newtown Junior School, Waterford;
Mary Fitzgerald,
Principal, St Saviour's National School, Waterford;
Ann Stack,
Ard Scoil na Deise, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford;
Seamus Knox,
Principal, St Paul's Community School, Waterford;
Sheila Donegan,
Waterford IT;
Eoin Gill,
Waterford IT.
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Contact: Dr Sheila Donegan; Tel: 051 302449;
Eoin Gill; Tel: 051 302865;
E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.wit.ie/CALMAST