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Students from across Ireland found out that Geology 'Rocks'
at the Geological Survey of Ireland’s fully interactive 'Geological
Sciences' stand at the recent BT Young Scientist and Technology
Exhibition.
A team of professional geologists were on hand in Dublin’s
RDS from 12th-14th January, hosting a range of interactive
activities revealing the extraordinary formation of our precious
rocks, minerals and landscape.
Visiting the GSI stand at the BTYSE, Minister for Natural
Resources, Fergus O’Dowd, announced a programme of applied
research that will support more than 20 high end jobs in 2012.
The research is part of INFOMAR,
the national marine mapping programme, being conducted by
the Geological Survey and Marine Institute and funded by the
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The Minister stated - “I am particularly pleased to be able
to announce the successful programme, while visiting the Young
scientists Exhibition, which showcases the scientific talent
being developed in Ireland. The 23 projects being funded under
INFOMAR range from evaluations of tidal energy sites, to studies
of Dublin bay and development of an online marine resources
game.
"All the projects build on the vast mount of data being
gathered under our national marine mapping programme and represent
the real world projects that can contribute to the economy
and employ our young scientists in the future.”
From marvellous minerals to fabulous fossils, wondrous water
resources and extraordinary earthquakes, visitors to the stand
received an indepth look at the geology of Ireland and the
earth all around us. They also experienced an amazing geo-visionary
flying experience and could try their hand at gold panning.
In addition, marine scientists from INFOMAR were on hand
to explain how most of Ireland is actually under the sea -
and to really help visitors get to grips with ‘Understanding
Underground’, the team from the EU-funded Tellus Border
Project - a ground-breaking geological mapping project of
the border region of Ireland - revealed how the project will
help us get to grips with our landscapes.
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