Arlene Vithaldas, CEO UCC Academy and Prof. Anita R. Maguire, Vice President for Research and Innovation, UCC, Cork City Council Mr Denis Barrett and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cork City Council Cllr. Paudie Dineen.
Cork Discovers – A World of Research took place Friday evening in glorious sunshine to the delight to hundreds of kids of all ages!
In the era of true crime podcasts and TV series, including Serial, Making a Murderer and Evil Genius, everyone thinks they can solve crime, but what’s really involved? University College Cork opened up its laboratory doors to show teenagers what it takes to solve crime and take on the role of forensic scientists. They met chemistry and forensic researchers and learned how to chemically test evidence from a crime scene; fingerprint and match fingerprints to a crime database and prepare footwear casts in order to compare shoe prints from a crime scene.
Esteemed guests who turned out for Cork Discovers were President of UCC Professor Patrick O’Shea, Vice President for Research & Innovation UCC, Anita McGuire, CEO UCC Academy Arlene Vithaldas, Head of Teagasc Food programme, Dr Mark Fenelon, Cork Learning City Co-ordinator, Cork City Council Mr Denis Barrett and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cork City Council Councillor Paudie Dineen.
This workshop was run as part of Cork Discovers, which aims to find fun ways of making research more relatable to a public audience. Cork Discovers is inviting the public to step into a researchers’ shoes and understand what they do on a daily basis matters. With over 40 fun, free events, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Events took place in venues across Cork City, including:
- UCC’s Western Gateway Building
An exhibition and over 20 demos, talks and workshops, including learning how to extract DNA from a banana! - Nano Nagle Place
Participants learned about the role of 3D printers and scanners in conserving digital heritage. - The Blackrock Observatory
A talk on how artificial intelligence will challenge the way that we currently see the world. - Cork Public Museum
Children under 12 became an archaeologist in the digging lab! - The Glucksman
A theatre and drama workshop invited young adults to develop their social and artistic skills.
