Athlone plays host to a number of events to mark the sixth annual Midlands Science Festival which takes place across the region for people of all ages from November 11–18 inclusive and promises a full programme of innovative events.
St. Mary’s Youth Centre is the venue for the Exploration Dome which uses state of the art 3D digital projection technology, stunning graphics and computer simulations to explain a wide variety of science subjects such as astronomy. This immersive and exciting experience will be coming to St. Mary’s Youth Centre in Athlone, is suitable for all age groups and each session lasts 30 minutes.
‘Inventing The Impossible’, a workshop which will be based at the Abbey Road Studios in Athlone, will feature artist Paul Timoney in character as Leonardo da Vinci with his colleague Mona Lisa. This workshop will allow participants to meet Leonardo and Mona Lisa who will show them some pages from Leonardo’s notebooks and explain his process, emphasising the relationship between focused observation and free imagination.
The science of murder, poisonings and terrorism will be investigated on Friday, November 16, at Athlone Little Theatre. Toxicologist and science communicator, Dr. Craig Slattery will explain the science of poisons and he will be joined by Brian Gibson of Forsenic Science Ireland, who will explore the world of forensics and how it helps solve crimes including murders. Completing this trio will be Athlone born, but UK resident, Professor Andrew Silke who boasts a background in forensic psychology and criminology. Due to the issues which will be discussed at this event, this event is over 16s only with a live crime scene from 7.30pm.
Midlands Science Festival Director, Jackie Gorman highlighted a number of events worth attending over the duration.
“We are delighted to host our sixth year of the festival and in planning the year’s programme, we have secured some really new and different events and activities as well as bringing back some of the most popular ones from previous years. As always we have partnered with a number of organisations and academia including Athlone Institute of Technology and all Midlands libraries to create opportunities which aim to excite students about science.
“We will also have high value science career talks, the return of Mary Ward’s ‘Amazing World of Wonder’ which celebrates Ireland’s scientific heritage and a lunchtime lecture at AIT on painkillers. This is part of a series of bite-sized science talks, where those attending can pop in on their lunch break for some science, free tea, coffee and snacks. You’ll learn something new during your lunchbreak and we encourage questions and discussion at this event,” the Festival Director remarked.
See www.midlandsscience.ie for booking and event details.
