'Science is Fun' was message at UCD as children learn about bugs

SCIENCE WEEK IRELAND: Science Week Ireland got underway at University College Dublin yesterday with a series of shows aimed …

SCIENCE WEEK IRELAND: Science Week Ireland got underway at University College Dublin yesterday with a series of shows aimed at an audience of 8 to 16-year-olds, delivering the message that "Science is Fun".

Up to 300 children observed each show, interacting with the "science communicators" as they performed light-hearted experiments and demonstrations. Den TV's Geri May introduced each presenter at the Curious About Science gathering.

"The key objective is to deliver pertinent information and inspire curiosity while making it interesting and fun for the kids", said organiser Ms Aideen Ward.

The Big Bug Show was recorded as "a huge hit", and the most popular show. Members of the audience were given the opportunity to handle various insects and spiders, while learning about their habitat and diet.

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Eleven-year-old Tony Gray faced his fears and tickled a Chilean-Rose Tarantula. "It was very scary to hold it, but I'm not scared of spiders anymore now".

Participants had an opportunity to taste maggots. "There's no better way of informing kids than the hands-on approach", said presenter Mr Lee Gibbs.

"They handle cockroaches and millipedes, then towards the end of the show when they are comfortable with the idea, I introduce the tarantula. Children are getting the chance to meet insects they would not normally meet".

Science educator Mr Ian Russell said, "Science can enrich our lives. Giving the facts is not enough, it's curiosity that feeds your mind". He told his audience that making observations was a very important part of science, and "children are so much better at observing than adults".

"To a three-year-old, even the pattern of water is so exciting. They observe the ripples as they pass through each other and bounce. So when they play with the water, they are actually experimenting and not just messing about", said Mr Russell.

"Mr Bun-head" performed a lively array of experiments, in the hope of leaving his young audience with "a thirst for science". He attempted to break the world record for the speed of a flying potato, demonstrated the effects of liquid nitrogen and performed explosions. Mr Bun-head attributes his popularity among children to the "flash and bang" of his presentations. "The kids have got to go 'wow', to make their mouths drop", he says. "Then you just sneak the education in the back door, and they don't even know they're learning".

Visitors were also invited to take part in a Pit Stop challenge by competing against the clock to change the front wheels of a Formula One Ferrari racing car.

Attendance was higher than expected according to organisers. "We had about 3,500 visitors throughout the course of the day and all the shows have been very popular".

Science Week Ireland is co-ordinated by the Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, with participation from private sector companies, Educational Institutions and State Agencies. It is a celebration of science for people of all ages that takes place at venues across the State.