The west's budding young aeronautical engineers have been invited to run test flights this week as part of the Galway Science and Technology Festival.
Materials for entrants have been limited to Sellotape, paper clips and A4 sheets - the aim being to produce the perfect paper aircraft. The "flight launches" take place in Leisureland at Salthill this evening as one of the highlights of the third annual festival.
The US perspective on outer space, the role of the engineer in the health business, and the secrets of the cosmos will be among the themes of lectures delivered in Galway city and county during the week.
The festival will be opened by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy, in Gort Community School, Co Galway, today. Outreach is a significant dimension of the programme.
Roadshows will travel east to Loughrea and Tuam and west to Inverin and Clifden, according to Mr Jim Murren of IDA Ireland, the festival chairman.
The broadcaster, Dr Eanna Ni Lamhna, will talk about the environment, and Prof Murray Campbell of Edinburgh University's musical acoustics department will give a lecture on serpents and synthesisers.
Other keynote speakers include Dr Joe A. Newth, head of astrochemistry and division chief at NASA.
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