NEWTOWN PUPILS FEATURE IN NEW SCIENCE BOOK
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY Primary School pupils feature in the first of a series of books aimed at increasing awareness of science among eight to twelve year-olds.
The pupils spent two busy days creating, observing, experimenting, recording and analysing for Illusions - the second book in the Science Apprentice series, which is out in November.
‘Sorcha Browne from University College Dublin came in with her team of scientists and they looked at optical illusions on the board, and then conducted lots of hands on science experiments the students could take part in themselves,’ said fifth class teacher Lillian Cheevers.
All of the pupils involved were introduced to the idea of psychology and illusions at school and were then able to explore that theme more thoroughly during a visit to UCD.
‘ They got to work with virtual reality and augmented reality, and that was really brilliant. They were able to become sensory scientists and take part in a sensory tasting session. It was horizon broadening for the students making science something tangible in the real world. For some children university can be an abstract idea and it is important for them to get a sense that scientists are real people from all kinds of backgrounds,’ said Lilllian.
The Science Apprentice books will encourage children and adults alike to explore the science, technology, engineering and mathematics of the world around us. The new four-part series follows characters Izzy and Phil and the wonder panellists on an interactive journey exploring the human body, our environment, how things are made and why everything is not always as it seems.
The books Super Bodies, Up In The Air, Illusion and How It’s Made are produced by University College Dublin and partners and supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme and the Environmental Protection Agency. Written by science journalist Dr Claire O’Connell, the books are available to order for schools and are free to collect with the Irish Independent in SuperValu stores every Saturday.