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In this newsletter, we share news about STEM, activities and resources.
Summer is officially here and with the winding down of the final academic term, we are looking forward to the festivals and events to come including SprÓg, Spraoi, and the Robert Boyle Summer School deferred until September. Our STEMReach Sustained Engagement Programme for Transition Year Students will commence in September, the registration of interest form is linked in our newsletter below.
Maths Week, which we coordinate for the island of Ireland, is taking place from 15-23 October. Working with 60 partners across the island. over 400,000 participants took part in 2021. In addition, we will be running the South East, Wexford and Kilkenny regional Science Week Festivals as part of the wider National Science Week programme from 13 – 20 November.
In June, we saw the return of the first large-scale in-person STEM event in Ireland. The Cork Carnival of Science took place in Fitzgerald Park from 11-12 June and saw 25,000 people attend over two days. The Calmast and Maths Week Ireland team were busy promoting a positive image of maths, highlighting resources for all ages, abilities and interests.
- Kayleigh Foran, Calmast STEM Engagement Centre.
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Maths is one of the few universal languages in society that can bring minds together no matter their background. Maths is for everyone. It is very important in our lives and we all use maths every day, from counting our change to looking at bus and train timetables, and a whole lot more.
Due to the wars in Ukraine and Syria, Irish schools are welcoming many Ukrainian and Syrian refugees into their classrooms. Maths Week Ireland wants to help make this huge transition for teachers and students a little bit easier. We have translated some of our popular Maths Week puzzles into Ukrainian and Arabic along with a page on our website explaining what Maths Week is and why maths is so important in our everyday lives.
The five puzzle PDF's can be downloaded here in Ukrainian and Arabic. These resources include the Hamilton puzzle, the river crossing problem, a maze puzzle, an emoji puzzle and a Magic Triangle.
Don’t worry if you get stuck, or make a mistake. It is by making mistakes that we learn! Visit Mathsweek.ie today.
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Maths Week - Awards for Excellence in Public Relations.
Last week, MKC Communications and Maths Week Ireland were delighted to be highly commended for their 2021 campaign under the Best Communications Campaign by a Charity, Not For Profit or NGO in the Awards for Excellence in Public Relations.
Pictured R-L: Tim Kinsella, Dr Sheila Donegan and Eoin Gill
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Continued STEM Engagement Partnerships with Local Industries.
Calmast is delivering STEM engagement throughout the South East with the support of SETU, national and local government and local industry. Partnerships with industry are so important to this success and we are delighted to announce our latest partnership with Energia in addition to our ongoing collaboration with Sanofi, Abbott, MSD, WEST, Danone and Bausch + Lomb.
If you would like more information on industry partnerships, please email: calmast.wd@setu.ie
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Minister Foley joins Maths Eyes Celebration
Over 400 young people across the island of Ireland came together to open their Maths Eyes, in a competition for Maths Week which challenged participants to look at their surroundings and the world around them in a new and creative way.
A final cohort of 22 shortlisted winners were selected by judges for their mathematical awareness and integration of maths concepts into everyday life. The competition culminated in an awards ceremony which took place Thursday 2nd June in Technological University Dublin with awards bestowed to winners, by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD.
During the presentation at the 10th year of the competition, Minister Foley remarked on the importance of opening your mathematical eyes to the world around you, appreciating its beauty and usefulness. She congratulated all pupils, teachers, schools and the organising team.
See all the winning posters here.
Pictured: R-L Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, Ethan Dunne from St Augustine's College Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and Calmast Director, Sheila Donegan
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STEM CASE: Climate Action South East
Sustainability, climate action and biodiversity are a key pillar of Calmast's work. We have delivered a number of different sustainability programmes in the last year and will be offering STEMreach sustainability modules for schools in Autumn. We are drawing a lot of this activity together into a new strand called CASE: Climate Action South East.
As part of the first phase, Calmast has applied to Science Foundation Ireland for a one-year project. STEM CASE: Climate Action South East introduces TY students across the South East to sustainability and climate action in a 6-week modular programme. Phase 1 sees 3 schools from across the South East co-create a programme focused on sustainability, which in phase 2 will be rolled out to 11 schools across the region. Each participating school will develop a workshop/ activity for local primary schools.
The programme aims to empower and activate young people. An important part of this will be the regional Climate Assemblies, where their voices and ideas will be gathered and delivered to policy makers. Learnings from phase 1 will develop the theme of the programme of the Bealtaine Living Earth Biodiversity festival in May 2023. The Young people will also contribute to the Robert Boyle Summer School, (June 2023), which will address the theme "science and Nature" .
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ACT Waterford
ACT Waterford is the first interdisciplinary event of its kind that brings together 5 different communities in Waterford City and County with 5 creatives to help Waterford become a decarbonised zone by 2040. Managed by Calmast on behalf of Waterford City & County Council (WCCC) & South East Technological University (SETU), the project is funded by Creative Ireland's Creative Climate Action Fund. The project manager is Calmast's Ms Nollaig Healy.
Themes:
Greening The City in Ballybricken
Suburban Transport - Take the Bus for a Change on the Dunmore Road
Biodiversity in Kilmacthomas
Energy Use and Efficiency in a Domestic Setting in Ballybeg
Responsible Consumption and the Adoption of a More Sustainable Lifestyle
For more information check out: actwaterford.ie
SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK: @ActWaterford TWITTER: @ActWaterford
INSTAGRAM: @act_waterford HASHTAG #ActWaterford
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Our annual STEM Entrepreneur Camp which is funded and supported by the Higher Education Authority, saw students from Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary and Carlow join together from 7-10 June in SETU, Waterford Campus.
Developed and delivered by Calmast in association with SETU's RIKON Business group, ARC Labs Incubation Centre and Growth Hub, the camp offered a unique opportunity for young people to explore the world of innovation and entrepreneurship coupled with Science and Engineering, introducing them to the innovative process of design thinking and problem solving, through the lens of sustainability and climate action. The camp was coordinated by Calmast's Ryan McGivney.
Pictured: Participants of STEM Entrepreneur Camp during group brainstorming sessions in the Calmast Centre, South East Technological University
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Exploring Dragons and Dinosaurs in Castlecomer
Now nearing its end, Dragons and Dinosaurs took place over four weeks in Castlecomer Co. Kilkenny with pupils from Comer Boys N.S. and Presentation Convent N.S. The project was funded and supported by the Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme 2022 as part of Cruinniú an nÓg, a free day of creativity for young people, with artist Órla Bates, Castlecomer Discovery Park and Kilkenny City and County Library Service.
Across four-weeks students explored the history of fossils found in the locality, their formation and how animals changed and evolved through natural selection. They investigated and documented fossils using a range of printmaking techniques, and created imprints of creatures with imagined traits they may need to survive in the future. The final artwork was displayed during a public exhibition in Castlecomer Library from 20 – 27 June. The programme was coordinated by Calmast's Kayleigh Foran.
Pictured: Pupils from Presentation Convent N.S. taking part in an educational day in Castlecomer Discovery Park. Funded as part of Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme 2022.
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Cork Carnival of Science
Maths Week Ireland and the Calmast STEM Engagement team were delighted to attend our first large scale in-person STEM event of the year. The Cork Carnival of Science took place in FitzGerald Park on 11-12 June, and saw Ireland’s top science communicators come together to promote STEM in a fun, playful and engaging way. It was attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and over 25,000 children, families, and members of the general public.
Director Sheila Donegan spoke to the Taoiseach outlining the importance of promoting a positive Maths image in society and our upcoming festival in October.
Check out our highlight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG0TWyTKBms
Pictured: Dr Sheila Donegan speaking to Taoiseach Micheál Martin about the importance of positive Maths promotion in Ireland.
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Calmast Hub and Cluster Model
Everything Calmast does is in partnership. We work with local authorities, state agencies, industries and businesses, NGOs, community groups and schools. There are lots of great people and groups promoting STEM in the region and there are more that would like to with support. We can achieve more impact by working together and Calmast at SETU offers coordination, training and support to all.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
In partnership with Industry, Local Authorities, Community Groups, and Schools, with funding from Science Foundation Ireland, Calmast is developing the most comprehensive STEM eco-system in Ireland across the South East through our Hub and Cluster Model. The first tranche of clusters has been developed in Waterford, New Ross, Dungarvan, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Wexford. These clusters will enhance the provision of STEM engagement across the region.
For more information about joining the clusters, please email: calmast.wd@setu.ie |
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Upcoming Calmast Events
STEM at SprÓg Children's Festival: 4 - 5 July
Offers an irresistible programme of play for children 0-12yrs from 4th-9th July 2022! Run by Garter Lane Arts Centre, the theme of the 2022 festival is Play! And in keeping with the theme, Calmast will run a number of workshops, exploring STEM through play. Everyone loves slime, and at our workshops, children will get the chance to learn about the science and engineering of polymers through making slime! Tickets: https://garterlane.ie/events/
Maths in the City at EUSEA Conference: 6 July 14.15 - 15.45
This session will show how maths activities can be introduced to a STEM Festival and describe innovative aspects in the organisation, development and delivery of the festival, focussing on maths in the city. Problem-solving is a key component of education systems across the world, and a key skill listed by employers. As we look to our future, these skills will become even more important. Maths in the City in Belfast and Dublin engages the public, in public spaces, using puzzles to develop problem-solving abilities. Programme: https://eusea.info/eusea2022/programme_day1/
STEM at Spraoi: 30 - 31 July
Working with Spraoi, Calmast with industry volunteers will convert Cathedral Square into STEM square, with hands-on STEM activities for all the family. We will be joined by the Physics Buskers and Bubbly Maths with activities for all ages, celebrating STEM in the South East. More information: https://spraoi.com
STEMreach Sustainability; Our Future, Your Story: September - October 2022
Registration of interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6SDDZ7Y
Maths Week: 15 - 23 October
https://www.mathsweek.ie
Science Week: 13 - 20 November
Additional STEM Events
European Science Engagement Association Conference: 6-7 July 2022
https://eusea.info/eusea2022/
The annual conference of the European Science Engagement association EUSEA will take place in MTU Cork, on July 6 and 7 th. Co-Creating the Future” is the guiding motto this year. The Conference annually unites an international community of science communication and public engagement professionals. It´s an opportunity to share, discuss and develop the diversity of knowledge, experiences, tools and methodologies that make our field vital and relevant across institutions, topics and countries. The Maths Week Team will present a 90-minute workshop on Maths in the City.
SprÓg in partnership with Garter Lane: 4 - 9 July 2022
https://garterlane.ie/events/
Spraoi Street Arts Festival: 29 - 31 July 2022
https://spraoi.com
Waterford Walls Festival: 12 - 21 August 2022
https://wallsproject.ie
Pictured: Participants during Spraoi Street Arts Festival
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STEMreach Sustained Engagement Programme: Sustainability; Our Future, Your Story.
Date
September – October 2022
Location
Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary
Sustainability: Our Future, Your Story is a 6-week module focusing on sustainability and biodiversity through the medium of digital storytelling focusing on theme “Sustainability: Our future, your story.” The module aims to empower TY students by learning, exploring, discovering and developing action in their own community. The programme will begin in mid-September 2022.
Students will create a short creative output using a digital platform of their choice.
Students from across the South East will come together to develop a sense of wider community and involvement. It will incorporate problem solving, ideation, creativity and originality, critical thinking, pupil led inquiry and collaboration. Focusing on sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and The United Nations sustainability goals. Coordinated by Calmast and an array of external experts (local experts, digital storytellers, engineers etc).
Upon completion, students and teachers will receive a certificate from Calmast, STEM Engagement Centre, recognising the efforts of students and teachers regarding Sustainability, Climate Action and STEM Engagement in the region. Media produced by students will be showcased at the end of the programme and as part of Science Week 12 – 20 November.
Registration of interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6SDDZ7Y
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Maths Week Ireland was founded by Calmast at SETU in 2006 and quickly grew to be the biggest festival of its kind in the world. It has been replicated in Maths Week Scotland and Maths Week England and has inspired many other maths events across the world. Maths Week is a partnership of over 50 groups (including all of Higher Education) on the island. Maths Week participation pre-Covid was over 400,000. In 2021 over 386,000 students participated remotely.
Maths Week Ireland 2022 will take place from 15-23 October.
Visit www.mathsweek.ie for maths resources & more information on upcoming events.
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Have something you want to share?
Have your event or story included here!
If you would like to be included in our upcoming events or STEM Stories from the Region, please contact us at Calmast.wd@SETU.ie
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This regional development is enabled by the support of many groups and with generous funding from:
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Follow us on social media for updates:
Facebook: @CalmastSTEMhub
Twitter: @CalmastWIT
Instagram: @calmastwit
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