Festival of Farming and Food – SFI Science Week at Teagasc 2018

TEAGASC is hosting a series of exciting events for Science Week (November 11-18) as part of ‘ The Festival of Farming and Food – SFI Science Week at Teagasc’. Many of Teagasc’s research centres around the country will open their doors for school and college visits, where students will get to perform hands-on experiments and find out about careers in STEM. Teagasc will also host three events for the general public – two in Dublin and one in Kilkenny.

Margie McCarthy, Interim Director Innovation and Education, Science Foundation Ireland said: “We know from research we’ve carried out that about half the Irish population feel uninformed about science, technology and engineering but that more than half are interested in these areas. Science Week is not only aimed at engaging and informing the public but also to normalise science in our everyday lives and creating a long-lasting appetite for science culture. The SFI Science Week funding allows us to support and invest in quality events that will take place across the country and allow us to reach as wide and as diverse an audience as possible”.

Catriona Boyle, Teagasc’s Science Communication and Outreach Officer said: “Teagasc is delighted to be one of 12 regional festivals to receive funding from Science Foundation Ireland for its Science Week Festivals programme in 2018. Attendees will learn about a wide variety of topics and how they apply to their everyday lives including food for health, food product development and improvement, food safety, sustainability of animal and plant production, healthy soils & biodiversity and the development of rural areas”.

Well known presenter Rick O’Shea, RTÉ, brings his inimitable style of hosting to the ‘60 Minute Science’ event at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel on Thursday, November 15 at 7.30pm.

The event celebrates local science in Kilkenny with speakers from Costellos Brewing Company (Beer magic), The School of Food (Scobys, starters and more…), Glanbia ( Why small is beautiful), Teagasc (Think before you tidy), and Cartoon Saloon (Bringing food to life). Audience participation is encouraged! Music is provided by the Hot 3 jazz band. Reserve your free ticket today on EventBrite.