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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.

Using a variety of drama and visual arts programmes, young people from many areas of Dublin City will work with professional artists and writers to explore the question ‘Graffiti – Art or Vandalism?’.This programme of activities, presented by Dublin City Public Libraries, is aimed at educating children, whilst encouraging them to comment creatively on the social conditions in which they find themselves.Seventeen libraries will participate in this ambitious public programme throughout the Autumn / Winter of 2011 and Spring 2012, using a broad range of learning strategies to deliver this very important message.Film maker Killian Waters will document the project on behalf of Dublin City Public Libraries.Programmes include:A specially commissioned play by Garbo ProductionsTwo visual arts programmes, Meeting Point and the creation of a mural on a library wallA drama programme, Creating Creative Communities – Mantle of the ExpertAnti-graffiti workshops from Graffiti Wipeout

The annual iFestival will be held in the Central Library, Ilac Centre from the 10th to the 30th of June 2011. This interactive exhibition will showcase the highly innovative ICT and multimedia projects undertaken by pupils in primary and secondary schools, as well as young people from community centres in Dublin's inner city. The festival, involving the work of 800 young people, will be launched in the Central Library on Friday June 10th at 12pm.Projects will include comic making, animation, robotic lego, podcasting, computer games and multimedia. Prizes are awarded for the best entry in each category. The projects represent the culmination of a year's work by these young pupils, their teachers and facilitators under the CLIC programme - the Computer learning in Communities programme, run by the DIT Foundation. The programme co-ordinator is Ian Roller. This initiative encourages teachers to integrate information technology into the curriculum not only to enhance their IT skills but also to make learning fun and enjoyable. Students involved have shown an improvement in attendance at school as well as increased concentration and motivation. The CLiC programme is just one aspect of the DIT Community Links programme whose main objective is to alleviate educational disadvantage and to allow individuals to reach their maximum potential. Some of the schools exhibiting this year are: St Patrick's GNS, Rutland National School, St Audoen's NS, St Vincent's GNS and Mater Dei, Basin Lane. The community groups include John Bosco Youth Centre, Fatima Community Centre and Dominick Community Centre.We in the Central Library are very happy to support such a worthy initiative, but don't forget, it's also a fun exhibition!