NUI Galway’s School of Natural Sciences is now taking bookings for it first Easter break science camp running from 22-25 April 2014. The camps is open all young scientists aged between 8 and 13 years old and participants will get a chance to work as real scientists by performing and analysing experiments in a real research environment. 

In the mornings, children will work with Dr Michel Dugon, the host of the RTÉ’s Bug Hunters. Activities will include discovering live local and exotic plant and animals, studying their habitats and understanding how they interact with their environment.

In the afternoons, participants will gain an understanding of how cells make our body work. With the dynamic team of Cell EXPLORERS, they will run their own experiments such as building models, observing their own cells under small and large microscopes and extracting DNA from cells.

Bio-EXPLORERS is run and supported by the School of Natural Sciences, one of the most research-active Schools at NUI Galway. Bio-EXPLORERS is composed of two science communication and public engagement programmes: Cell EXPLORERS directed by Dr Muriel Grenon and Eco-EXPLORERS directed by Dr Michel Dugon.

The programme’s primary goal is to inspire interest in science in the general public and to impact positively on science education. It proposes activities that are designed to engage children in a hands-on way and stimulate their interest in exploring science-related themes. The programme has engaged thousands of children in the West of Ireland since its creation and was very active during the last Galway Science and Technology Festival.

The ‘Fantastic DNA’ school visits and other Cell EXPLORERS activities are well known from primary school children in County Galway with the programme‘s volunteers, made of an enthusiastic mix of undergraduate, postgraduate and staff, engaging more than 2000 pupils, teachers and parents since September 2013. The programme received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to STEM’ award from the Galway Science and Technology Festival and will be representing Ireland at the next Malta Science festival in April.

Since October 2013 Eco EXPLORERS has engaged thousands of children across the West of Ireland on topics related to ecology, biodiversity and zoology. Bug hunting and live exotic creepy crawlies (including reptiles, spiders or giant beetles) are at the core of the Eco Explorers experience.

Activities are led by Bug Hunters host Dr Michel Dugon. Bug Hunters is a 15-episode TV series for RTÉ which has been selected to represent the television station at several prestigious media festivals including IFTA, Celtic Media Awards and Prix Jeunesse International.

The camp will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm for four consecutive days. The full cost is €140 per pupil for this exciting course packed with fun and exciting activities. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. The closing date for registration is Tuesday, 15 April.

For further information on the camp or to register, visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/bughunters/  or email cellexplorers@nuigalway.ie.

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