With a print run of 8,000, a copy of the glossy, 136page Irish Scientist year book is being distributed free to all second-level school libraries in the country. Will it help to reverse the dramatic decline in the popularity of physics and chemistry in schools, both north and south?
This and other questions are raised in the newly-launched 1997 book. The decline in popularity of the two subjects "comes at a time when there is an increasing number of good jobs in technical areas, and we don't have the trained people to fill them," says Dr Charles Mollan in his editorial.
"The option to study physics, chemistry and maths at higher level is not even available to many second-level students in the Republic," says Mollan. "Many students who want to study their favourite science subject at higher level are denied the option".
If you have any ideas, you are invited to write to: Dr Charles Mollan, 17 Pine Lawn, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Fax - (01) 289 7970 or e-mail at cmol@iol.ie.
The year book is sponsored by Forfas. It includes articles on the Geological Survey of Ireland, whether diamonds occur naturally in Ireland, robots helping the disabled, super drugs and superbugs and the future of milk.
