SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATIONS

GOREY Library was a busy place during the recent Science Week, with a wide variety of events laid on to suit all ages and interests.

‘Everything was fully subscribed,’ said librarian Nicola McGrath. ‘We had a great turnout for the week and we’re really happy with how it went.’

The week’s events were organised by Wexford County Council’s library service with funding from Science Foundation Ireland. Wexford has low participation levels in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and Nicola said that the idea of the week was to promote these disciplines.

‘They were all about encouraging interest and curiosity,’ she said. ‘Each library had its own events, and the week culminated in SciFest in Wexford on the Friday. We hope to do the same thing next year, but to make it even bigger.’

The Gorey events included: a lecture on how discoveries in science impact on our daily lives with Brendan Wallace; a talk on decoding sound with Brendan Cooney; a talk on brewing with Dr Stephen Whelan; children’s science workshops with the mad professor; galactic workshops for children with Dr Norah Patten; an evening talk by Dr Patten on how to become a scientist-astronaut; and Anyone 4 Science fantastic physics demonstrations for children.

Nicola said they were delighted to see so many children taking part, and thanks went to all who attended.

Niamh Byrne, Dr Norah Patten and librarians and Fiona Wadding at Dr Patten’s talk. John Baldwin and Peter Doyle at the ‘Brewing up a Storm’ event. The children at Gorey Library pictured with Laura McKay at the Anyone 4 Science event. Guest speakers...