Tallaght kids get blinded by science

Approximately 60 students from St Aidan’s National School in Tallaght participated in a unique science project last week.

Employee volunteers from Abbott facilities in City West and Liffey Valley reached out to families in the local community and invited them to learn about the importance of science through their educational programme, Abbott Family Science.

It is part of a wider science educational initiative that has seen 420 employees from Abbott sites around the country promoting scientific exploration to nearly 2,000 students, 1,000 parents and 100 teachers.

The Abbott Family Science event, which took place in St Aidan’s National School, Tallaght offered parents and students exciting experiments and hands-on lessons in the principles of scientific discovery.

One of the most important achievements of Abbott Family Science is how it changes parents’ behaviours and attitudes towards science.

In a post programme survey last year, 82 per cent of participating parents said they would discuss careers in science and engineering with their child compared to just 38 per cent prior to programme participation.

Marcus O’Philbin, the principal of St Aidan’s, said:

“We are delighted to partner with Abbott, to bring this exciting and dynamic event to our students and their families. The range and diversity of the experiments, together with the enthusiastic approach of the volunteers, really brings science alive for these children and we hope they will look at science and engineering in a new light after this experience.

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