Launch of the 20th annual science week at Government buildings
To mark the 20th annual Science Week, which takes place next week from the 8th – 15th November, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. attended a showcase of Irish science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at Government Buildings.
The event provided an insight into the work being carried out across the country at all levels from primary schools to universities and leading companies such as Pfizer, EMC Ireland, IMB, MSD Ireland and Eli Lilly.
Speaking at the event the Taoiseach said “Science, technology and innovation have been at the core of our economic recovery. I am delighted, together with Minister English and Science Foundation Ireland, to celebrate the 20th Science Week by seeing first hand some of the astonishing work that is happening across the country and across all of our society from the students and teachers to the leading researchers in our universities and companies.”
He went on the encourage people to get involved in the events throughout the week, “Science Week will see free events taking place all across the country and it provides everyone with the opportunity to explore and discover some of the truly remarkable science, technology, engineering and maths work happening in Ireland and to discover what opportunities are out there for everyone. I encourage everyone, including public representatives, to take part, support science in their county and get involved with at least one event next week.”
Minister for Skills, Research & Innovation, Damien English explained the importance of Ireland’s talent and not just our tax,“Future proofing Ireland’s economic recovery means we have to compete on talent not just on tax. Science Week is all about inspiring talented young people to think about a STEM career and inspire them them to use their talents to shape a better future for everyone. My message to young people and their parents is that STEM offers great careers and a bright future. I agree with Bill Nye – There’s nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people interested in science and engineering, for a better tomorrow, for all humankind.”
Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland spoke about the importance of education in science, “Importantly the showcase also included children, students and their teachers who have excelled in winning national and international awards for their science projects, illustrating that there is a rich pipeline of outstanding talent to fuel Ireland’s future development and prosperity. These high achieving attendees come from all across the country illustrating the importance and pervasiveness of scientific advances to both rural and urban Ireland – a fact also reflected in this year’s Science Week programme with over 800 events planned across Ireland and an expected 250,000 participants.”
See here for more details on Science Week.
