The daddy-longlegs spider comes in for special attention next week as the eighth annual Science Week Ireland gets underway at venues across the country. There are 350 events planned for the week, which kicks off on Sunday, November 7th, writes Dick Ahlstrom
Everybody's favourite spider will form part of a mass experiment during the week. Some scientists believe that climate change is making the daddy-longlegs more common here. Children in schools across the State will be asked to report sightings of the spider, registering their contributions on www.science.ie/spider. As part of Science Week, a pack detailing the spider and other common house spiders has been issued to all primary schools on both sides of the Border.
The week will include a variety of talks, presentations and shows, with events taking place at universities, institutes of technology and schools. A number of travelling exhibitions will take to our highways and byways, bringing with them the message that science can be an interesting and enjoyable pursuit that offers good career opportunities for the future.
INSPIRE road-shows will travel to a number of colleges to promote and encourage the discovery of science using hands-on exhibitions and activities. "Show me what you're made of" is a show for children aged five to 10 that explores how the body works from the outside in by looking at muscles, bones and what's in the stomach.
The Discover Science and Engineering Programme provides support for Science Week Ireland to help build an awareness of the value and importance of research and technological innovation. It works in association with the Department of Education and Science, FÁS and the Institution of Engineers of Ireland.
The programme provided funding for a television documentary, Mars Rocks!, to be presented by its chairman, Leo Enright. Filmed on location in Ireland, it talks about this island's association with Mars research and also brings the viewer up to date on discoveries being made by landers on the Red Planet. It will be screened on RTÉ 2 on Tuesday, November 9th at 7 p.m.