The Festival of Farming & Food
For Science Week 2016 (November 13-20) Teagasc is hosting one of 11 Science Foundation Ireland-funded Science Week Festivals – the ‘Festival of Farming & Food’. Teagasc research centres invite local schools and members of the public to learn about the work Teagasc does in science-based innovation in agriculture and food, using new technologies in plant and animal genomics, food processing and precision agriculture.
This year’s Science Week theme is ‘Science Rising’ – focusing on the progression of scientific technologies over the last 100 years in agriculture, food processing, nutrition, and food safety. Teagasc centres will explore how traditional methods of the agri-food industry have developed over time, and will showcase current technologies used in agri-food research. For full details of the Festival of Faming and Food events see: http://bit.ly/FarmandFood.
Science Week events at Teagasc Centres
Wednesday, 9 November
On 9 November (& 16th), Teagasc Grange, Co Meath will be hosting two open days in the Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre. Students from the Trinity Access Programme will be invited to visit the centre for a tour of the labs and farm for the Your Food Starts Here event. The November 16 visit will be open to local secondary schools.
Tuesday, 15 November
Understanding the Irish Dairy Industry at Teagasc, Moorepark, Co Cork will give local secondary students the opportunity to use microscopic tools in the Food Research centre, and will see some of the key technologies that underpin dairy farming in the Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, including a tour of the research lab. They will also get an opportunity to see the animals on the farm. Students will see how science contributes to making Ireland a world leader in the agricultural sector. In keeping with the Science Rising theme, students will get an insight into how milking and butter making methods were modernised with practical demonstrations. Students will also learn about how microbiology and food safety have progressed, and see food microstructure and how that relates to the food experience in the microscopy lab.
Wednesday, 16 November
Second level students in Galway will visit the Teagasc Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, for the Animal Science @ Teagasc Athenry event. They will get an insight into how science is being used to address reproduction and parasitism issues in sheep. Students will be able to view different sheep breeds and learn about their attributes and role in Irish farming. They will take part in interactive exhibits to learn about different grass and clover species and nitrogen fixation, as well as hear about career options in the agri-food industry.
Thursday, 17 November
Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Research Centre in Oak Park, Carlow, will host From Barley to Beer – The Science of the Perfect Pint. Students from Pearse College Dublin and Carlow IT will be given a demonstration of the malting process by a local maltster from Boortmalt, and a beer brewing demonstration and tasting by a senior brewer from O’Hara’s, a local brewing company. They will be able to observe the beer-making process from the grain to the glass. Oak Park researchers will also demonstrate precision farming in the field using driverless tractors and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Also on November 17th, Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown, Dublin 15, will hold A Taste of Food Science, a free evening event open to the general public. Teagasc researchers will host a night of fun, entertainment and science. There will be a shuttle bus going from Ashtown Roundabout and Ashtown Train Station. Alternatively there will be plenty of free parking on the night. All ages are welcome! Register for the event on Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/tasteoffoodscience
Other Science Week initiatives by Teagasc
Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Seminar
On Thursday, 10 November, the annual Walsh Fellowship Seminar will be held in the RDS Dublin. Walsh Fellows completing their PhD theses will present their findings to their peers.
Luxury six course meal with Dylan McGrath
Taking place on Tuesday, 15 November is an exclusive six course dinner at Rustic by Dylan McGrath in association with Science Foundation. Among the special guests joining celebrity chef Dylan is Orla O’Sullivan, a Senior Research Fellow in Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark. Tickets cost €50 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here!
From November 7 to 18, the Farming Zone will be an exclusive opportunity to talk with researchers and policy-makers in agriculture, and also share your knowledge and experience with the experts and other participants. This year we are delighted that two of our Teagasc team will be taking part. Karen Foley from Teagasc Moorepark and Catherine Keena from Kildalton College will be part of the panel of scientists in these live chats. See: www.imascientist.ie
Kerry Science Week - The Science behind Forestry for second and third level students
Teagasc Forestry Development Officer Tom Houlihan will highlight developments in forestry as part of Kerry Science Week. On Thursday, 10 November, Tom, along with Tralee IT lecturer David Lenihan, will be taking third level students on a farm visit Tom will also be visiting CBS, The Green, Tralee to give an indoor presentation on forestry innovations to the Agricultural Science Class on Thursday, 17 November.
Cavan and Monaghan Science Festival
Ballyhaise Agricultural College, which is run by Teagasc, is working in partnership with Cavan Library Service on Friday, 18 November during Science week. It is intended to invite approximately 150 6th class students in, to show them science in farming.
Science Apprentice books
Dr Andre Brodkorb from Teagasc Food Research Centre in Moorepark will feature in the Food & Health issue of Science Apprentice, out this Saturday, 12 November free to collect with the Irish Independent in Tesco stores every Saturday. Dr Brodkorb will be using his ‘tummy camera’ to see inside his stomach as it broke down food.
10 Things to Know About…
Teagasc will feature in two episodes of RTÉ’s TV series ‘10 Things to know About…’ The series starts this Science Week on Monday, 14 November, and features Teagasc researchers Gerry Douglas in Episode 3: Aliens; and also Donagh Berry and Paul Allen in Episode 4: Beef and Beer.