Blogs

Dublin Climate Action Week takes place from the 13th to the 19th of September. Dublin City Council curated a list of podcasts and books to help you understand and engage with this important challenge.

Staying up late in July 1969 to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step from Apollo 11 onto the surface of the moon was exiting but not at all unexpected to a science fiction reader. Having spent years immersed in Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and so many other great writers it was never IF, just HOW SOON we would conquer space. In my mind, it was only a matter of time be for all those stories of Martian colonies, aliens (friendly or hostile), parallel universes, androids and my own personal space trips would all come true.Sadly, didn’t happen – the space race seems to have ground to a slow stroll, despite the International Space station.However, here is a chance to get a little closer to those dreams in the person of Greg Johnson, a Real Astronaut. Gregory Johnson is a NASA astronaut and a retired colonel in the United States Air Force. Johnson is a veteran of two space flights, STS-123 and STS-134, (both aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour) where he spent nearly 32 days in orbit and contributed to the assembly of the International Space Station. He has also served in numerous roles for NASA, and is currently the President and Executive Director for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS).Meet Greg in Ballyfermot Library on Thursday 13th November at 1pm. He will be talking about being an astronaut and the experience of visiting space, followed by a Q&A session. (Children and adults welcome. Book a place at the library).

The power of science is all around us. We see, hear, touch, taste and experience the wonder of science every day. Thanks to the power of science we can improve our health and wellbeing, explore new worlds, and make our world a better place; the only limits are those we imagine!Co-ordinated by SFI Discover the education and public engagement programme of Science Foundation Ireland, Science Week officially runs from 9th – 16th November 2014. Dublin City Public Libraries will host our Science Week Programme over two weeks – because we just can’t fit all our fantastic workshops and lectures into just one week!Children can experience hands-on science with the Rediscovery Centre, ECO-UNESCO, Michael Moylan’s Science Show, Dale Treadwell, SEAI, Dublin Zoo, Birdwatch Ireland, Green Schools, Water Conservation and Ingenious Ireland. After-school events with Michael Moylan and Dale Treadwell offer a chance for all the family to take part in Science Week.Would you like to meet a real Astronaut? Greg Johnson, veteran of two space flights aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, will talk about his space experience on Thursday 13th November at 1pm in Ballyfermot Library. (Children and adults welcome. Book a place at the library).

Apart from a little maths, the nearest thing to science I ever studied in school was Domestic Science. While knowing how to cook and sew is undoubtedly very useful, I am painfully aware that huge swathes of knowledge are beyond my comprehension and always will be.There is always a chance I can answer a literature question on University Challenge, maybe even the odd music or film question, but science subjects are a complete mystery. Don't even understand the questions most of the time.Yes, my knowledge of science is based entirely on what I have learned from watching 'The Big Bang Theory' - and while I have great sympathy for that cat in the box, I'm not sure I really get it.Luckily not all girls were so deprived. A group of very smart women will be discussing their scientific careers as part of International Women's Day. Of interest to the general public and especially to young women thinking about studying and working in the science field.The event is chaired by Doctor Fiona Blighe, who is the programme manager with the Centre for Women in Science & Engineering Research (WiSER), and the guests are:Professor Máire Cassidy, the State Pathologist.Professor Tia E Keyes, lecturer in the School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City UniversityAnne Graham, the National Transport Authority's Director of Public Transport and former Engineer with Dublin City Council.Anne MacLellan, who has a background in biomedics and is a writer on the history of science. Her PhD thesis is 'That preventable and curable disease': Dr. Dorothy Price and the eradication of tuberculosis in Ireland 1930-1960'.Eleanor Holmes, who graduated in 2011 in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin. Eleanor is pursuing a PhD in Nano-electronics in TCD.This wonderful event is taking place on Saturday 10th March 2.30pm in the Dublin City Library & Archive and remember, booking is essential, so telephone 6744806, or email [email protected] European City of Science 2012Dublin has been designated as European City of Science for 2012. During this year, a large number of scientific events are taking place in Dublin and nationally in order to showcase Ireland’s growing capacity in science. Science all Around Us is Dublin City Public Libraries’ programme for the City of Science, bringing lectures, presentations and workshops to the general public, adults and children alike.International Women's DayInternational Women's Day takes place on the 8th March, but Dublin City Public Libraries is hosting a number of related events from the 6th to the 10th March.