Teagasc - Communicating Science

The opportunities for a science- based career in agriculture and food research will be presented to school students at Teagasc Research centres as part of Teagasc's Science Week activities.

Teagasc scientists will demonstrate the practical applications of science in their respective fields to show students the opportunities that can emerge from studying science and ultimately culminate in an interesting and successful career in scientific research.

Over the coming days students have been invited to visit the Teagasc research centres at Grange, County Meath; Athenry, Co Galway; Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork; Ashtown, Dublin; and Oak Park, Carlow. Secondary level school students will be given an insight into some of the science behind agricultural production at the applied agricultural research centres in Grange, Athenry, and Moorepark, while they will be given "A Taste of Food Science" at the food research centres in Ashtown and Moorepark.

In a new development this year, third level students from Carlow Institute of Technology will visit the crops and biotechnology research centre in Oak Park to see the latest bioscience research being undertaken by Teagasc.

The highlight of the Teagasc Science Week programme will be the Walsh Fellowships Seminar which takes place in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin on Wednesday, 14 November 14. The keynote speaker is Professor Paddy Cunningham, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government.

Thirteen of the outstanding students, who carry out research with the support of Walsh Fellowship grants, will present their scientific papers on their findings at this day long event. Among the topics covered will be "The nature of carbon sequestered in Irish grassland", "Fungicide resistance in the wheat pathogen" and "Animal welfare index: an on-farm survey of beef suckler herds in Ireland".

Ends

Nov 13 - - Visit to Teagasc Grange Beef Research Centre by secondary school students.
Nov 14 - Teagasc Annual Walsh Fellowship Seminar, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
Guest Speaker: Professor Patrick Cunningham, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government.
Nov 15 - Secondary school students visit Teagasc, Athenry Research centre Centre.
Nov 15 - A Taste of Food Science, Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre Visit visit by Secondary secondary School school Students.
Nov 15 - Teagasc Moorepark Science Week event for secondary school students.
Nov 16 - Teagasc Oak Park Crops Research Centre. Visit from students of Carlow Institute of Technology.

Science Week is a Forfás initiative under the Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) programme. The week aims to increase interest in science, technology, innovation and engineering among students, teachers and members of the public.

DSE's mission is to contribute to Ireland's continued growth and development as a society that has an active and informed interest and involvement in science, engineering and technology.