| 2005 |
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YEAR BOOK |
Royal Dublin Society
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RDS and science promotion
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One way in which the RDS Committee of Science and Technology continues its long tradition of promoting science is by joining with other organisations such as The Irish Times in presenting special lectures and demonstrations for young people. Appropriately for 2005, the centenary of Albert Einstein's annus mirabilis of 1905, the annual Institute of Physics Tyndall Lecture was given by Dr Simon Steel, an astrophysicist from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics. He spoke to a large audience of second level students about the importance of Einstein's theories for understanding of the workings of the Universe. Another highlight was the demonstration lecture for Transition Year pupils on Magic, Science or Mystery when Paul McCrory held his audience spellbound by using his magical skills to explain some basic scientific concepts. In a new venture with the Hamilton Mathematics Institute of TCD, Prof. John Barrow of Cambridge University showed how mathematics can be used to understand interesting aspects of everyday life ranging from football to forgeries. All these lectures were held in the RDS Concert Hall which is a convenient venue for schools in the Dublin area.
Experimentation is a vital aspect of science which for many years has been neglected in our schools. To help to remedy this situation, the Society collaborates with St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra, in arranging courses for teachers who wish to improve their skills in giving practical demonstrations to classes; these have proved very popular. In addition, the Society offers bursaries to encourage educators to devise demonstration lectures. These Science Live Bursaries can help to defray the cost of special equipment or other expenditure. The general aim is to build up a pool of expert demonstrators who can pass on their skills and so enthuse science teachers and ultimately their pupils. It is only by stimulating young people's interest in science that we can hope to meet the future need for trained scientists and technologists.
Contact: Dr Ciaran Byrne,
Development Executive, Science & Industry,
Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4;
Tel: (01) 240 7217; E-mail: [email protected]