Science Week 2021 Wednesday 10th November

Target Audience:  Second Level

In fiction, when our planet or even the entire universe is in danger, superheroes invariably come to the rescue. And thanks to their amazing powers and abilities, they nearly always manage to save the day!

In the real world though, we don’t have superheroes like Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, or Black Panther. But we don’t have invading aliens from outer space or armies of robots intent on nothing but destruction either!

Instead, we have other issues to contend with, many of which stem from our innovations over the past 300 to 400 years. Global climate change, energy shortages, pollution, deforestation, food and water insecurities, and serious diseases are just some of the biggest problems that need to be addressed.

But science is on the case as we seek to develop scientific solutions to these problems. And guess what – some of these solutions can be inspired by the world of superheroes!

In this presentation, you’ll learn that superheroes aren’t just people wearing capes. There are superheroes seeking to solve the problems that we have created for ourselves and they will turn to science and engineering, as opposed to superpowers like super-strength or flight.

And, in the future, these superheroes could include you! 

BOOKED OUT

A number of different fun experiments and activities will be set up at stations where participants will spend 15 minutes at each station.  There will be ten students at each station.  The workshop target audience is primary school students.    

Lecture - 1pm

Have you ever wondered how wings create lift?  How are new materials making aircraft lighter? Find out answers to these questions and more.