Festival of Science Engineering and Technology at UL campus

I was out at the University Campus Today for the Festival of Science, It was a great Day out for all the family, with plenty to do and see. Live 95FM were there with the Shadows and JP was reporting in live from the show. Slide Show is below.

The University of Limerick, in association with Forfas under the 'Discover Science and Engineering Programme, has planned an exciting programme of events which will appeal to all ages for the Limerick Festival of Science, Engineering & Technology on Sunday 8th November 2009. The Festival is intended to be a show-case for industry providing an opportunity to promote science and technology, especially to those deciding on future careers, and to provide an entertaining and educational day out for all.

In common with other third level institutions, the University is concerned by the significant decline in numbers of second level students electing to study science and the long term consequences this will have in meeting the national capacity to satisfy demand for skilled workers for the economy.

A primary objective for Science Week is to convey to the general public, and particularly, young people the fascination of science, it's importance in so many aspects of everyday life and the exciting, rewarding career opportunities that exist in Irish Science, Engineering and Technology-based industry.

We are particularly delighted to be running the very popular School Poster Competition the "Science in our Life" for primary and secondary schools with the winners being formally announced at the Festival, a major highlight of the Festival. The schools poster entries will be displayed at the Festival and the winners will be announced during the event. In celebration of International Year of Astronomy a special prize will be awarded for the best entry with an Einstein focus - sponsored by the Institute of Physics.

Limerick Festival of Science, Engineering & Technology is intended to be both a showcase for industry and an opportunity to promote science, engineering and technology, but also feature many events and attractions designed to provide a fun-filled yet educational day for all the family. The Limerick Festival of Science, Engineering & Technology will consist of interactive stands and displays from industries and organisations and will also include interactive exhibits devised by the University's science, engineering and technological departments and associated clubs and organisations. The emphasis in the displays is on presenting the most up-to-date and interesting applications of science and technology in our life and will provide an informative and enjoyable event for young and old alike. There will be a series of parallel demonstrations and lectures including Dr Peter Douglas's famous Chemistry and Light Show demonstrating how light can be generated electrically, thermally and chemically and how light might be used to solve two of the most important problems facing mankind i.e. the production of clean water and clean energy; Dr Ian Russell's live demonstration of exploding custard and Dr Andy Newsam will take you on a trip through Space with some Star Gazing and Planet Watching; Sue McGrath is back again this year due to popular demand with her exciting flame show while Sarah Hayes will baffle young and old with Chemistry Magic.

Would you like to know how soap is manufactured? How can ordinary cooking oil be converted into a fuel for commercial use? How does suntan lotion really work? These are just some of the demonstrations you can expect to see. The afternoon will have many live displays - plans are in place to have the Army Ordnance Corps showing how they use robots to detect and dismantle explosive devices; in addition the Air Corp, Fire Services and Civil Defence will demonstrate the latest in technology; located in the Plaza area will be a Flight Simulator, which uses sophisticated technology previously developed for the training simulators as used by pilots and astronauts, to provide a unique entertainment that allows people to enjoy a virtual flight experience; the Simulator incorporates sound, vibration, acceleration and braking forces, thrillingly correlated with " eye view" film, to create an illusion so much much more .

ADMISSION IS FREE - SO COME EARLY!

to the University of Limerick Festival of Science, Engineering & Technology
For further information email Vicky.Kelly@ul.ie University of Limerick.
Tel: 061 202642 Fax: 061 202602

Photos from UL Farmers Market - Fresh Produce At The University of Limerick

Established as an initiative of the University of Limerick Environmental Committee over a year ago, the farmers market at UL boasts a wide variety of vendors. It is held in the students union courtyard every Tuesday from 12 to 5:30.


The popularity of the market with both students and staff was evident today as despite the intermittent heave rain showers the flow of customers was steady.



The stalls onsite today included the following.
Sara Woulfe – El Chilli Loco - Serving a deliciously spicy selection of salsas Pickles and Sauces, as well as amazing homemade soup, Just the thing for students in a hurry!
Next Door was Marion Roelevid from Killeen Farm with a wide selection of Goat and cow’s milk cheeses with a delicious choice of flavours on offer.
Peter “The Pie Man” Gibson offers a variety of... well Pies I guess! But no boring soggy ham and chicken here instead a selection of Duck Pies Dry Cured Bacon and Courgette, and Beef and Guinness were the order of the day. I can’t see any students coming home to Mum complaining of not eating with delicacies like these on offer!
For those with even more adventurous taste buds Tom Gems was producing fresh Sushi and I have to saw i was licky to get a photo of a full plate with the speed that this stuff was disappearing, It’s a long way from the curry chips I had to sustain me on my lunch bread when I was in College!


Stephanie Guerin from Adare Farm was also here selling fresh corn on the cob from the crop planted to feed hungry farmers at the ploughing championships. It was available au-natural or as vacuumed packed cobs for freshness!

Keeping on the Fresh Veg track there was an amazingly wide selection of Veg from the Lough Boora Farm Organic Vegetables stand. This is a very innovative organisation who offers a shopping basket service allowing customers to order their veg and collect it in lovely wicker baskets all ready to go. The baskets are returned and reused! For more information on this great idea contact Tony Garahy on 086-2668217.


Across the courtyard lay some treats of a sweeter nature!
Firstly I visited Fran Dowling on her Fruit and Nut Bakes stall. With both sweet and Savoury items on offer from raspberry and almond bakes to sundried tomato pesto and feta slices!


Right next door was the familiar face of David Mc Caffrey from Sallymills Bakery, I had met David before at Limericks Milk Market, He had his usual amazing selection of cakes and treats on offer including delicious carrot cake ( one of my personal favourites ) Sallymills won a Gold medal for confectionary in the recent Blas na hEireann Food Awards so the quality of their products is plain to see.


For those looking to top up on their omega oils Stephen Joyce was on hand with a selection of fresh fish and Shellfish and with Ling and Pollock Fillets for only €10 per KG it was a busy day for Stephen, who by the way will prepare your fish for you so it is pan, oven or grill ready!




I saved the Wilde Irish Artisan Chocolate Makers Stall for last!
Based in Tuamgraney in Co. Clare ( Near Scariff ) near the shores of Lough Derg. They offer a wide selection of products and their fair-trade and organic bars have won awards at the Great Taste Awards.
Also selling almost every kind of fudge you could think of from Pistachio to Porter! You are sure to find something to your taste!
Some of the regular stalls like Ginger Girl were not there today (She’s busy with Wedding preparations!) but event the weather could not dampen the feeling that it Is initiatives like this that will keep the Irish pallet used to the better things with great value and fresh products sold in a great atmosphere!


This will also be the location for a Craft fair on the first 3 Tuesdays of December with Craft Irems from Local Craftspeople UL Staff and Postgrads.


A slide show is below and all the photos are available online [ Here ]

_