Cavan Monaghan Science Festival 2021 - Schools Programme

Welcome to our 6th Annual Cavan Monaghan Science Festival thanks to the continued support of both Cavan & Monaghan County Councils as well as Science Foundation Ireland.

Last year, as a result of the Covid restrictions, we moved completely online. This year, we’ve moved cautiously towards a hybrid approach. This means that whilst many of the events are once again being held online, there are a number of In-Person events taking place across both Counties. To ensure the safety of everyone, we ask that you only turn up at the In-person events if you have pre-booked your ticket. Online events will be delivered through a variety of mediums including Crowdcast, Zoom & You Tube.

There are a wide variety of events to choose from this year. We’re covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, Neuroscience of Stress, Science of Happiness, Science of Fertility and many more.

For our Schools programme we’ll be looking at topics such as the Science of Sweets, Microscopic worlds, Ugly animals, Insect Myth busting, Circus Science and even the Secret Science of Santa!!!

We look forward to seeing your there!

From Cavan Monaghan Science Festival Team

HOW TO BOOK:

All booking can be done through our Festival Website.

You’ll find it at www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie If you are having problems with booking online please contact your local Festival Co-ordinator.

GET IN TOUCH CAVAN

Telephone: (049) 437 8506 Email: sciencefestival@cavancoco.ie Website: www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie Johnston Central Library, Farnham Centre, Farnham St. Cavan

GET IN TOUCH MONAGHAN

Telephone: (047) 74700 Email: sciencefestival@monaghancoco.ie Website: www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie The Library, 98 Ave., Clones, Co. Monaghan

Primary Schools Puzzling Maths

Monday 8th November @ 10am Platform: Crowdcast Age Group: 3rd - 6th Class Presented by Andrew Jeffrey Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/puzzlingmaths In this fun maths-based session, your pupils will combine fluency and reasoning to become champion problem-solvers, by learning to solve the phenomenally popular puzzles known as ‘KenKen’. Your host, Andrew Jeffrey, regularly used these puzzles during his career as a maths specialist teacher, and children quickly became addicted to these most fascinating number puzzles, all the while becoming better problem-solvers!”

Code a game

Monday 8th November @ 11am Platform: YouTube Age Group: 2nd – 6th Presented by MakerMeet.ie Link: bit.ly/codeagame1 Join us to code a playable game in less than 60 minutes! Participants only need a device to learn how to code and play a game - which they can then edit afterwards!

The Science of Sweets

Monday 8th November @ 12noon Platform: Festival Website Age Group: All Ages Presented by Stefan Gates, the Gastronaut.

Link: www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie Stefan is usually found on CBBC, but we’re delighted he has taken time out to put together a special show for us on the Science of Sweets. Stefan’s high-energy, curriculum-driven shows are full of explosive chemistry and extraordinary food. They are designed to inspire a fascination with science as well as adventurous, healthier eating. This show will premier at 12noon but will be available for viewing until Wednesday 10th November.

Ugly Animals Preservation Society

Tuesday 9th November @ 10am Platform: Crowdcast Age Group: 1st – 6th Class Presented by Simon Watt Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/uglyanimals At the Ugly Animal Preservation Society, we celebrate and explore the incredible biology of the animal kingdom’s most monstrous. What adaptations make them amazing? How did such hideous creatures evolve in the first place? The show features videos, demonstrations and lots and lots of audience participation. This show has been hailed as an example of British Science Communication at its best and has been performed as part of a tour of Canada, Ireland and the UK as well as in Bulgaria, Mexico and the USA.

Have a Heart

Tuesday 9th November @ 11am Platform: YouTube Age Group: 1st-6th Link: bit.ly/heartscience1 Teachers &/or Children will learn how create a simple model to explore the role of heart valves in preventing blood from flowing the wrong way. They will then use their knowledge to build a model representing the blood flow into and out of a chamber of the heart, demonstrating how blood is pumped through the chamber to/from the body.

Sci-Tunes

Tuesday 9th November @ 11.30am Platform: Crowdcast Age Group: 4th-6th Class Presented by Jonny Berliner Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/scitunes A fun, fact-filled show! Johnny’s unique combination of science, songs and comedy are a breath of fresh air, and his shows are always very well received.

Jonny makes science accessible by engaging students with great songs and humour. But it’s not just fun & games, Jonny is a qualified science teacher with an MA in science education. He’s an expert in using songs in the classroom, as a revision tool and a means to communicate complex information in a simple, engaging way.

The Science of the Circus

Wednesday 10th November @ 10am Platform: Vimeo Age Group: All Ages Presented by Inspirational Science Link: bit.ly/circus2021 Roll up, roll up and explore the science behind the thrills and spills of the circus. Dr Ken takes you on a voyage of discovery investigating how performers make use of many scientific principles in their tricks and stunts. Find out why jugglers love gravity, how clowns use the force like a Jedi and why unicyclists need to keep moving to stay still. It’s science but not as you may know it!!!

Access Code to view on Vimeo will be provided upon booking. This show will then be available to view for the remainder of the week.

Explore the Microscopic world

Wednesday 10th November @ 11am Platform: YouTube Age Group: All Ages Link: bit.ly/microscopic2 We always see the world around us - from news to our own local environment. But what about the other world that lives just under our noses? (Sometimes literally!) See the microscopic world in full HD detail!

Figure out what a variety of objects are in this fun and engaging lesson.

Fizz Inflators: A fizzy look at Chemistry

Wednesday 10th November @ 1pm Platform: Zoom Ages: 1st – 6th Class Presented by Planet Science Kidz Link: bit.ly/fizz101121 Explore the exciting world of Chemistry with a hands-on activity in your classroom. We’ll supply the Scientist but you will need to supply the materials!

For Younger classes Teachers might choose to demonstrate the experiment themselves. Older children should be able to conduct the experiments themselves however you will need more supplies! Here’s your shopping list: • Baking Soda • Small (250 ml) water bottle • Balloon • Vinegar Zoom link will be provided upon booking. Numbers Limited.

SEAI Energy exploration

Thursday 11th November @ 10am Platform: Crowdcast Age Group: 4th-6th class Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/seai SEAI is Irelands national sustainable energy authority. They’ll be joining us to look at the various types of energy we use in Ireland but will focus on the main renewable energies and what the future of energy looks like for us in Ireland. There’ll be an opportunity for classes to join in with some hands-on experiments but you will need to have the following items ready beforehand: • 1 empty Fizzy drinks can • 1 large mug that the empty can will fit into.

• 1 tennis ball • 1 larger ball e.g a basketball This workshop is perfect for senior classes and Green school committees.

The Secret Science of Santa

Wednesday 10th November @ 1.30pm Platform: Crowdcast Age Group: 1st - 6th Class Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/santa How does Santa Claus travel around the world on Christmas Eve? Have you ever wondered how Santa Claus avoids rainfall and snowstorms? How far does Santa Claus travel on Christmas Eve? Barry W. Fitzgerald seeks to answer these and many other questions during his presentation.

Perhaps we’ll learn the science behind the incredible technologies that Santa uses to help him deliver presents on Christmas Eve. Santa has developed these technologies with the elf-scientists at his Arctic workshops. You’ll learn the science behind Santa’s flying reindeer, his cuttingedge weather prediction methods and the gadgets that allow Santa fly large distances in the blink of an eye! Are you ready to unlock the Secret Science of Santa Claus?

Insect Myth-busting

Thursday 11th November @ 11.30am Platform: Crowdcast Ages: All Ages Presented by Dr. Linda Birkin Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/insects Join Entomologist Dr. Linda Birkin as she busts some myths surrounding Creepy Crawlies! Do Earwigs really want to creep into your ear and lay eggs? What is that yellow substance that Ladybirds leave on your hands if you pick them up…could it really be wee??!!! Join Linda for some more weird and wonderful insect facts.

Fruit Canoes: Chemistry never tasted so good!

Thursday 11th November @ 1:15pm Platform: Zoom Ages: All Ages Presented by Planet Science Kidz Link: www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie It’s another opportunity to conduct some Hands-on Chemistry – this time with a Fruity flavour! Once again, we’ll provide the Scientist if you can supply some Lemons, Grapefruit, Oranges, Limes & Baking Soda.

Numbers Limited.

Fur, feathers, scales and tails – Who am I?

Friday 12th November @ 10.30am Platform: Crowdcast Ages: Junior – 2nd Class Presented by Dublin Zoo Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/zoo1 Dublin Zoo were such a hit in 2020 we decided to invite them back for more!

Join us for a quizzical look at some of the Zoo’s residents and what promises to be a morning of animal fun!

Who lives here? Journey to the Rainforest Friday 12th November @ 11.30am Platform: Crowdcast Ages: 2nd-6th Class Presented by Dublin Zoo Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/zoo2 Dublin Zoo is home to many amazing animals - but which species originated in the Rainforests? Let’s find out as we welcome Dublin Zoo for a session.

Volcanoes: An explosive look at Geology Friday 12th November @ 1pm Platform: Zoom Ages: All Ages Presented by Planet Science Kidz Link: bit.ly/volcanoes12 What else would you be doing on a Friday afternoon, except having some explosive fun with Geology!? If you enjoyed the hands on activities earlier in the week you won’t want to miss out on this one. Here’s what you’ll need to take part: • Play Dough • Baking soda • Food colouring • Vinegar • Plastic shot glass

For younger class groups it is recommended that the Teacher demonstrates the experiment. For older children, you may like to provide them with the materials to complete the experiment themselves.

Numbers limited.

Our Partners at Science Foundation Ireland have also put together a range events which you are welcome to attend. You can find their listings at bit.ly/sfi-events2021

Secondary Schools Climate Action – What’s the story?

Monday 8th November @ 10am Platform: Crowdcast Presented by CARO Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/caro CARO have been tasked with supporting a low Carbon & Climate Resilient Ireland but they you’re your help. In this 40 min Session we’ll look at Climate Science (what is causing climate change), what the government are doing (key legislation and policies and what they are aiming to achieve – i.e. transition to a carbon neutral society by 2050) and what might Ireland look like in the future (based on these policies/legislation.

This session will also be repeated on Wednesday 11th Nov @ 10am. Booking at www.crowdcast.io/e/caro2

A look at the Respiratory System

Tuesday 9th November @ 10am Platform: Zoom Link: bit.ly/breathing21 This interactive Zoom session will lead you through a Hands-On experiment which explores the Respiratory system.

We’ll supply the Scientist but you’ll need to supply the materials as follows: • Scissors • Straws approx 3 per student • 250ml bottle + bottle cap with hole per student (Similar to small sports cap water bottles available in supermarkets) • 2 - 3 ballons per Student • Sellotape Zoom link made available after booking.

Numbers limited.

STEM Careers In Cavan & Monaghan

Tuesday 9th November @ 11:15 - 12:30pm Platform: Crowdcast Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/stemcareers Both Cavan & Monaghan have been identified as low intervention Counties in terms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) so it is hoped to encourage more people to become involved in STEM. This Careers event will showcase a “day in the life of a....” demonstrating various STEM positions in some of the STEM related enterprises across County Cavan and Monaghan.

Staff from Combilift, Kingspan Group, Mannok, Abbott Ireland and Lakeland Dairies will be involved and will be detailing their interests in school, the course or training they undertook, details on the company they work for and their role within the company.

This talk will be recorded and available for viewing through the same link for the remainder of the month.

DNA Base Pairing, Double Helix, DNA ladder

Viruses & How they hack into the human system

• Thick candy rope/ Strawberry Pencils (2 per Student) – Available in Mr. Price, Tesco etc.

• Small sticks - small wooden toothpicks or craft small sticks (bags of craft sticks usually available in stationary shops, Mr. Price etc) • Jelly tots (Dna Bases)

• Different Colour play dough • Scissors • Toothpick / Ear buds

Wednesday 10th November @ 10am Platform: Zoom Link: bit.ly/dna-sweets DNA can be a complex topic to get your head around so we’re making it easy and tasty with sweets! This is a HandsOn activity so once again you’ll need to gather up some materials in advance.

Materials Needed for DNA as follows:

Numbers limited.

Cyber Sense & Sensibility

Wednesday 10th November @ 1pm Platform: Crowdcast Presented by Chris Reina Link: www.crowdcast.io/e/cybersense People often wonder how to keep their data safe - we’ll discuss many ways to do this, but always remember there is no give without take. If you sign up for a free service - is it really free? How many of us have really read the “tick box” that contains the Consent Form / Privacy Policy? We instinctively allow our agreement to use any data we submit to a variety of different places for a variety of reasons. Passwords, ethical hacking, deep search data and more will be discussed in this 60 minute talk.

Friday 12th November @ 10am Platform: Zoom Link: bit.ly/virus1221 We’ve heard a lot about viruses to last us a lifetime, but even after a global pandemic, do you really understand how viruses work? This Hands-on look at how they hack the system will help explain it. In order to take part in the hands on elements you’ll need:

Numbers limited.