Mayo Science and Technology Festival kicks off next week

The 2011 Mayo Science and Technology Festival runs from November 14th to 20th in the TF Royal Hotel adn Theatre and promises a number of exciting events across the length and breadth of the county. Science Week aims promote the relevance of science and technology in our everyday lives and to demonstrate the importance of these disciplines to the future development of Mayo and the economy of Ireland.

Councillor Eddie Staunton, chair of Mayo County Development Board, has expressed his delight with the success of the festival in recent years. “Science Week aims to give young people in particular a better insight into how science and technology affect our everyday lives,” he said. “Giving young people an interest in science and technology is critical to the future of the Mayo economy.

“I believe the festival has generated a greater public appreciation for the contribution science and technology makes to Mayo. It is important that all of us and young people in particular – are aware of the technology that is all around us.”

Some of this year’s highlights include:

• Meet Titan the Robot – Titan will be appearing in Castlebar on Saturday 19^th and at the Open Day on Sunday 20^th (check him out on www.mayoscience.ie !)
• Mayo 2040 (Thursday 17^th, 7pm in GMIT) – a fascinating evening of presentations and thought-provoking debate (see programme below)
• Science Festival Open Day (Sunday 20^th, 1pm in the TF Royal Theatre) – an educational, fun-filled, family day out featuring amazing science shows and presentations, hands-on electronics workshops, a mobile planetarium, industry demonstrations, science gurus, and the chance to win really cool prizes. iRadio 102-104 will be broadcasting live from the venue. 

All events are free, but please note that shows at the Open Day are likely to fill up quite fast – tickets are available on the day on a first-come-first-served basis.

There will be various fun with science shows as well as interactive exhibitions from a huge range of Mayo-based science and technology companies. Many of the best known employers in Mayo have agreed to take part in the open day. On the day they will showcase the types of technology they use on a day-to-day basis, and there is no doubt that this will be a very exhilarating day, not just for children and young people, but for people of all ages. Further information is available on www.mayoscience.ie