The RDS Science Live Demonstration Lecture series involves funding science communicators to develop high quality workshops that are aimed at those in primary and secondary school.

The aim is to take science out of the classroom and focus on the interactive, practical elements of a topic in order that the students gain as much from the experience as possible.

The demonstration lectures provide students with an opportunity to participate actively in a range of hands-on science activities and illustrate the application of science to everyday life. In recent years the series has provided the opportunity for pupils to get involved in building their own space rockets, developing cures for disease and becoming mini forensic detectives. Photos from the demonstration lectures presented in previous years are available.

The interactive methods showcased encourage teachers to incorporate simple and effective Science Live type activities within the classroom. Since its inception in 1999, the RDS Science Live series has been hugely successful with more than 70,000 school children from across the island of Ireland participating.

By making science exciting and relevant, the series encourages the uptake of science subjects by those at Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate level and promotes the range of careers that are available to students who go on to study science subjects at third-level. Demonstration lectures are presented at the RDS and also in schools, libraries and universities north and south of the country.

The Series takes place in October and November each year. Details of the 2012 Series will be available in Autumn 2012.

Primary school teachers please note attendance at the RDS Science Live series can be used to contribute towards Step 4 of the Award of Science Excellence. The RDS Science Live for Teachers workshops, designed to provide teachers with the necessary skills and confidence to teach and demonstrate both the primary and secondary school science curriculum, is an extension of the RDS Science Live Demonstration Lecture series.

Information for Bursary Applicants
A secondary aim of the RDS Science Live series is to nurture talent in the field of science communication and to ultimately generate a reservoir of science demonstration lecturers in Ireland to serve the wider educational community. RDS Science Live Demonstration Lecture bursaries are available for those interested in developing their own workshop.

For further information, please contact:

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