28 February 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Engineers Week, the annual campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers and excite students about the possibilities a career in engineering can offer, kick-offs in Cork today and runs until next Saturday (March 5th).
The week-long series of activities across the country, now in its 10th year, is held annually to promote engineering as a career and highlight the importance of the profession to Ireland.
Engineers Week will involve over 500 events nationwide including school visits, engineering shows, industry open days with 200 engineering organisations in the private and public sector, and will engage over 37,500 participants including primary and post-primary students, parents, teachers and volunteer engineers.
People can also organise their own events by availing of resources on the Engineers Week website, including workshop ideas, quizzes, trails and other activity suggestions suitable for primary and post-primary children.
This year local organisations including Cork Institute of Technology, Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Stryker and many more will be participating in Engineers Week. In addition to in-company events, classroom workshops and volunteer visits to schools, highlight events in Cork include:
Sunday, February 28th @ 16:00: Meet the Engineers Family Fun Day – Admission is free and children and adults can enjoy a series of stands and activities which will help discover more about the many different types of engineering. Activities will include programming VEX robots, LEGO construction challenges, snap circuits, engineering trails, make & do, and lots more with all activities staffed by volunteer engineers. For more information see www.lifetimelab.ie. Location: Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks, Lee Road, Cork.
Monday – Friday, February 29th – March 4th @ 09:00 – 15:00:
MathsWorks @ Lifetime Lab aims to demonstrate and explore a multisensory approach to the learning of mathematics and is a stimulating and fun introduction to elementary maths. MathsWorks motivates pupils to engage maths through sight, sound, touch and movement. Each workshop will include a short presentation before participating in a series of fun ‘hands’ maths-based puzzles, games and activities covering topics such as multiplication, symmetry, problem solving and transformations. MathsWorks can cater for up to 4 sessions per day at your school.
Location: Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks, Lee Road, Cork.
Thursday, March 3rd @ 09:45, 11:15 and 12:45:
Sue McGrath – ‘The Science of Dragons’ join Scientific Sue on this most historical and creative journey of discovery. Her fire and icy fog breathing dragons are celebrating the hatching of their latest baby, there is just one problem – this little dragon doesn’t have any wings yet. This show is intended for primary school students.
Location: Rory Gallagher Theatre, Cork Institute of Technology.
Calling on the public to support the Week, Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said: “Engineers Week will feature a host of exciting events in County Cork, with the aim being to spark enthusiasm about the engineering profession to people of all ages, especially students, teachers and parents.”
“Engineers have a key role in society solving global problems in areas like water management, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, energy security and food supply. A career in engineering offers great diversity and I strongly urge the people of Cork to get involved in the events in their locality.”
Engineers Week will run from February 28th to March 5th with activities taking place nationwide. The week is coordinated on a national basis by Engineers Ireland as part of the STEPS programme, which is a strategic partner of Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Discover Programme. For further information about Engineers Week 2016 or to register attendance at an event, visit EngineersWeek.ie.
Most Engineers Week events are free, however some require pre-booking as places are limited and further information about events on in Cork can be found at EngineersWeek.ie.
