Newly launched Irish website will seek to increase public's understanding of science

A new website, opening this morning, is dedicated to increasing public understanding of science. It will offer information about careers, the contribution made by Irish scientists, and information useful for student projects.

The site, www.science.ie, will be launched this morning at St Mary's Girls' National School, Haddington Road, Dublin, by the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy.

It forms part of the Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme managed by Forfas on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology.

It will act as a resource for people looking for information about science in Ireland, according to Forfas. Initially it will provide information about careers and general science issues, but over time will develop into a much broader site that links into other sites associated with the sciences.

The launch is timed to allow people to get online information about the dozens of events planned during Science Week Ireland, which opens next Sunday and runs until the following Sunday, November 19th. as.

The week includes two "Sunday Funday" programmes aimed at all members of the family. The first, next Sunday, takes place at five national aquariums around the country.

The second weekend outing includes events at museums and zoos in Dublin and Cork. There is a special Institutes of Technology Science Day planned for next Thursday which will include talks and tours in all of the State's institutes.

RTE Radio 1 has planned a Science Week Ireland/Future Tense lecture in studio one at its Radio Centre in Donnybrook on Thursday evening, November 16th. Dr John Sulston, former director of the International Genome Project, will give a lecture on the project. Tickets are free but are limited and must be booked with Cathriona Edwards at (01) 208-3443.

Dozens of free public talks and exhibitions have been organised. There will be a presentation on illusions and optical images at Queen's University Belfast on Monday, a talk on the science of magnets on Tuesday in Tralee, and a look behind the scenes at conservation work done by the National Museum in Dublin.

The genetic origins of the Irish will be discussed at Trinity College on Wednesday.

The science awareness site is at http://www.science.ie, and as part of its launch Forfas has organised a competition for young people. The winner will bring their whole class to a special screening of the new Disney film, Dinosaur, at the student's local cinema. Details of the competition are on the website's home page.