2016 marks the inaugural year of Kerry Science Festival, a week-long festival of science events taking place across Kerry this November. From Sunday 13th to Sunday 20^th November, a programme of free public engagement events, community talks, exhibitions, shows and school workshops will be available to enjoy.

According to Dr Joseph Walsh, Head of School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the Institute of Technology Tralee, Kerry Science Festival offers the opportunity to engage science at multiple levels. “Our programme includes an exciting STEM showcase day on Saturday 19^th November. The day will include a Careers in STEM exhibition and panel discussion facilitated by broadcaster and lecturer Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin. Company representatives will talk about the varied STEM careers available to graduates in Kerry and beyond.

There will also be plenty of fun for families and children of all ages – primary and secondary – on the day with many free workshops and shows like Mathsworld, Lego WeDo, Cell Explorers, Designer Minds and Spec in a Suitcase. These interactive workshops will engage all ages and bring to life the world of STEM. We area also delighted that the first Girls Hackathon in Kerry will take place on 19^th November in association with Microsoft. The event is all about get young women creating with code and aims to encourage more young women to be aware of opportunities in the digital technology sector”.

The festival will also include a variety of industry and community group led events demonstrating STEM across Kerry. Kerry Education and Training Board schools across the county have been twinned with local companies and will jointly host events including Coláiste na Sceilge in Cahersiveen and Met Eireann,  Killarney Community College  and Liebherr Cranes, Killorglin Community College and FeXco  and Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Trá Lí and Raidió na Gaeltachta to name but a few.

Companies operating in the STEM sector are encouraged to consider hosting their own events as part of the festival showcasing where STEM can be found in what they do. If you are interested in hosting such a Local Kerry Science Festival event please contact Dr Noel Mulligan, Head of Department Biological & Pharmaceutical Sciences at IT Tralee by emailing noel.mulligan@staff.ittralee.ie.

Details on all of the events as part of Kerry Science Festival can be found at www.kerryscience.com. Events are free, however many will require registration as places on interactive workshops are limited.

Kerry Science Festival is an Institute of Technology Tralee initiative and is developed by a team representing education and industry across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from the Kerry region area, funded by Science Foundation Ireland