Planet Discovery
Tuesday 19 July 2005

Children attending Planet discover Chemistry classes

Over the past 3 weeks 120 children, age 10, from 32 primary schools in North Dublin have attended `Planet Discovery' camps, organised by the DCU Access Service School Programme. The camps aim to introduce children to DCU and campus life, while at the same time promoting science and maths as fun, stimulating subjects.

Participants begin each day with a science demonstration and are then given the opportunity to work on experiments themselves creating all kinds of interesting things! They are taught and supervised by DCU's final year science education students.

The children chosen for the camps have a particular interest or capability in science. Through these positive experiences at a young age, the university hopes that young participants will be encouraged to consider science and maths as an option at Junior Certificate level, and hopefully beyond.

Planet Discovery offers activities in the following areas:

• Physics and Chemistry workshops -co-ordinated by the faculty of Science and Health
• A sports activity with particular emphasis on fitness - developed by DCU Sports Club
• Off campus sports activity
• Internet workshop offered by Library staff and School of Computing.
• Quiz on University life- given by DCU Access service.

The Access Service Primary school Programme offers a range of services to schools which includes: Primary School Achievement Awards Campus Tours which this year will involve science workshops and shows from the Helix Fizz Fest Science Bus Visits to link schools

If you are a teacher and would be interested in hearing from the Access Service, then please get in touch with:
Bronagh Duffy
Primary School Project Officer
DCU Access Service
bronagh.duffy@dcu.ie