Science Promotion

Discover Science & Engineering

Science awareness is promoted through Discover Science and Engineering, which is managed by Forfás on behalf of OSTI. The objective of Discover Science & Engineering is to bring together all existing awareness activities and expand these in a way that will eliminate duplication and provide a more focused and effective communications strategy aimed at:

• Raising the general level of awareness of the physical sciences;
• Raising the level of student uptake of the physical sciences at second and third level;
• Promoting a positive attitude towards careers in Science, Engineering and Technology;
• Promoting a greater understanding of science amongst the public/society;

The target audience for the programme includes: School students (primary and secondary- especially junior cycle and transition year students), their parents and teachers as well as the wider public. The programme will also work closely with industry and the media to achieve these aims. A small but high-level steering group manage, develop and give direction to the Discover Science & Engineering awareness programme. It includes representatives from industry, academia, media and other key organisations.

For more information on science awareness check out http://www.science.ie/ or visit http://www.discover-science.ie/

Hamilton Year: Celebrating Irish Science

2005 marked the bicentenary of the birth of William Rowan Hamilton (1805-65) Ireland's most eminent scientist, and has been designated by the Irish Government as “Hamilton Year 2005: Celebrating Irish Science”. By a happy coincidence it is also the centenary of Einstein’s three great papers of 1905 and has been designated by UNESCO as “World Year of Physics”.

William Rowan Hamilton was born in Dominick Street, Dublin and died at the Dunsink Observatory where he worked throughout his professional life. He is best known for his discovery in 1843 of quaternions - an important mathematical expression used in describing 3D spaces in computer graphics - whilst walking along Royal Canal. His work proved significant for the development of quantum mechanics. Hamiltonian mechanics is used today to determine orbital trajectories of satellites and was used for the recent Mars mission.

Ireland’s future is dependent on establishing a culture of scientific and technological innovation and a globally competitive knowledge based economy. The Hamilton Year is a vital building block in national scientific awareness. The aim of the celebration is to draw attention to Ireland's proud scientific heritage and to create awareness of the exciting world-class science that is being undertaken in Ireland today.

Interactive Science Centre

As part of the OSTI responsibility for science awareness, the office has worked to progress the establishment of Exploration Station, the interactive science centre. This will be a purpose-built interactive learning centre designed specifically for Ireland and dedicated to providing children, young adults, their carers and teachers with a hands-on learning and discovery experience focussed predominately on Science and Technology. Exploration Station will be sited in a custom-built premises to be located in the new OPW Heuston Gate Development in Kilmainham in Dublin.

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