Suitcase unpacked in Ireland
Spectroscopy in a Suitcase expands across Ireland thanks to SFI funding.
In partnership with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and six Irish higher education institutions, we've rolled out our Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) programme across Ireland, bringing portable infrared (IR) and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrometers to schools all over the country.
In contrast to the Welsh programme, which has been running for eight years and works with 80% of schools in Wales, the Irish programme is new on the block. Established in 2014, it began with only three universities: University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin. In its first year the programme reached 1073 students in 39 schools.
Demand for workshops was so great that the programme has now expanded to include a partnership between the University of Limerick and National University of Ireland Galway. With these additions, SIAS reached 2437 students in 99 schools across 13 counties in 2015–16. University College Dublin will be coming on board for the new academic year.
The Royal Society of Chemistry has been supporting chemistry in Ireland since 1877. We provide support for chemists in academia and in industry, as well as a vast array of membership related support. We also have a longstanding supporting presence for second level students and teachers. We provide support through our education representatives and membership groups such as the Education Division Ireland region.
In partnership with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and six Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEI), we’re working to support and engage the next generation of chemical scientists in Ireland.
The demand for SIAS in Ireland has far exceeded the original project size. The teachers I've met love the workshop and the opportunity it gives their students to chat with their ambassadors. The impact of this project is so great that a question came up on this year's Leaving Cert Chemsitry exam on identifying the IR of aspirin for the first time.
John O'Donoghue, Royal Society of Chemistry Education Coordinator, Ireland
SIAS Ireland sends ambassadors from host universities into classrooms with a portable spectrometer to bring the curriculum to life. Although spectroscopy is part of the Leaving Certificate chemistry curriculum, the equipment is difficult for schools to access – without the opportunity to try things out themselves students can often struggle with the concepts. Thanks to SIAS, students can take part in a hands-on workshop, refreshing their theoretical learning while exploring the practical applications of spectroscopy.
In a typical workshop the students are given a murder mystery scenario, in which they use spectroscopy in a forensic investigation of the crime scene. They get to grips with the IR and UV-vis equipment, and can even produce spectra from samples they have made in lessons. The workshop content reaches beyond the scope of their exams, and gives students who want to study STEM at university a start at bridging the knowledge gap between school and higher education.
It brings great energy into class and improves the profile of the subject with students. The presence of post-grads is a great opportunity to ask questions about the university experience.
Frances Moloney, Drimnagh Castle CBS
As well as learning about spectroscopy, the sessions bring school students into contact with ambassadors from Irish higher education institutions. Budding scientists can ask questions and hear about further study in chemistry and life from role models, and hearing about their experiences can inspire students to take up a career in science. This also ties into the SFI Smart-Futures programme (see box, right), with SIAS ambassadors receiving communications training to develop confidence in their science communication and teaching skills in the early stages of their STEM career.
Rural schools are now benefiting from SIAS too. Being geographically isolated, these schools are often neglected and under-supported because it can be difficult to attend events, or for hosts to visit. To address this, five universities are using SFI funding to spend three to five days visiting different schools located several hours from a SIAS host institution as part of a rural tour, engaging hundreds of students with spectroscopy along the way. In March 2016, Trinity College Dublin led a tour to the ‘sunny south east’ of Ireland, carrying out six sessions in five schools over three days, with only three SIAS ambassadors.
This was a fantastic opportunity for students to observe and use instruments that we could never have in school. They were particularly enthused when they were able to use the infrared spectrometer to analyse a sample of benzoic acid they had prepared previously. This made it a very real and relevant experience.
Orna Coakley, Regina Mundi College
There are great plans to expand SIAS to reach more schools in Ireland. The project intends to reach an additional 3000 students and increase the number of rural school visits. There is also potential to expand the project to include workshops for students in their transition year – a year of placements that Irish students undertake between their Junior and Leaving Certificates. This would encourage the uptake of chemistry as students choose their subjects for their final year of study.
And it’s not only students who can learn about spectroscopy. In September, SIAS took their equipment to this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore. Attendees of the festival got the unique opportunity to use our professional spectrometers to discover the chemical differences between Tractor oil, Bio-Diesel, Agricultural (Green) Diesel and regular Diesel, as well as finding out how we turn Green Diesel pink.
If you’d like to get involved with our outreach work in Ireland please contact education John O’Donoghue via the link on the left.
Science Foundation Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland was set up in 2003 to promote science in Ireland. It has an annual budget of roughly €160 million to invest in research and other activities and currently funds up to 70% of the overall Research Centres budgets. SFI specialises in collaborations though joint support programmes to encourage the movement of academic and industry researchers. They provide grants for researchers from around the world who wish to relocate to Ireland as well as those already based in Ireland, to be used for conferences and symposia, and for collaboration with industry.
The SFI has a number of programmes to support science education. The SFI Discover Programme promotes awareness and engagement of the Irish public with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The programme was set up to catalyse, inspire and guide STEM education and public engagement. To achieve this it funds the development of the STEM education and public engagement sector in Ireland, investing in developing ability in this area, and encouraging novel means of engaging the public. Discover funding is used to support SIAS, including rural tours and contract expansions that bring SIAS to many more schools.
SFI Smart Futures supports the SIAS ambassadors. Smart Futures is a collaborative government–industry–education programme that provides second-level school students in Ireland with information about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The project aims to provide STEM career resources to students, teachers, guidance counsellors and parents in Ireland and stimulate an interest in STEM subjects in secondary school and at third level. SIAS ambassadors receive Smart Futures training to allow them to become role models for science in schools, inspiring students and encouraging the next generation of scientists.
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