A pilot programme hopes to convince primary school pupils that science might be a good choice for the future, reports Dick Ahlstrom.
The Government has launched a new programme to put more science into primary schools. An initial 40 schools will participate in the scheme - Primary Science Clubs - which is aimed at eight- to 12-year-olds.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Noel Treacy, officiated at the launch in Dublin. Paying minimum attention to the dignitaries were a number of young pupils, who actually got to test the experiments developed as part of the Clubs' programme.
The Science Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, managed by Forfás, put together the Clubs' initiative. Its goal is to convince young students that science can be fun, this before they can develop any prejudices against a subject which has been losing popularity steadily for some years.
This is a pilot scheme to test the programme's effectiveness and popularity, and initially will run in four counties: Sligo, Kerry, Carlow and Dublin. The project links 10 schools from each county with the local Institute of Technology (in Sligo, Tralee, Carlow town and Dún Laoghaire).
The clubs will meet outside normal school hours, with pupils electing to participate rather than being obliged to be involved. Organisers have prepared a Science Club Pack, which provides practical support for the club leader and ideas for simple experiments that match the planned primary school science curriculum.
The pupils themselves conduct most of the experiments, and enthusiastic teachers can add to the areas covered by the activities. These include effects caused by differences in temperature, optical illusions, magnetism, centre of gravity, surface tension and chemical changes.
Each pilot school received €50 to purchase materials, and the packs include hints and explanations for the non-specialist teacher. Each child will receive a certificate and the club will be invited to display one of the activities at an award day in the local institute of technology in May.
Aside from the backing provided by the institutes and the Department of Education and Science, the organisers acknowledge the support given by the British Association for Youth Science's Young Investigators programme.