From the Science behind Ireland’s longest ziplines to 320-million-year-old amphibian fossils, Castlecomer Discovery Park takes part in the first Kilkenny Science Festival
The Kilkenny Science Festival is the newest addition to Kilkenny’s rich festival calendar. Castlecomer Discovery Park is delighted to be part of the festival which runs during Science Week, 8-15 November 2020.
From our water scientists and biodiversity workshops to our woodland maths trails and giant catapult building, Science Week has always been a busy week at Castlecomer Discovery Park. While this year we cannot welcome you to the Park, we have moved online and have two exciting events to share.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) plays a central role in ensuring a safe, enjoyable visitor experience at Castlecomer Discovery Park. Activity instructor Stephen Hanlon has put together a fascinating video on the science behind our zipline. Speaking about the video Stephen says “Visitors love the zipline and ask lots of questions about it. For this video I explored concepts such as mass, acceleration, gravity, friction, force and tension and how they impact on your zipline ride. It really gives a whole new perspective on the zipline experience!”.
Did you know significant 320-million-year-old fossils were discovered in the coal mines of North Kilkenny? On Saturday 14th November we will host an online event telling the story of how these fossils were discovered and why they were such a significant find at the time. “Science Week gives us a great opportunity to promote awareness of our local scientific heritage. The story of the fossils from the Castlecomer Plateau has fascinated me since I joined the Park and I look forward to sharing the story as part of the Kilkenny Science Festival. A world of discovery awaits!” according to Education Officer Nichola Salmon.
- The ‘Science behind Ireland’s longest zipline’ video will be released online on 8th
- The ‘Fossils from the Castlecomer Plateau’ talk takes place at 5pm on Saturday 14th November and is free to book here.
For more exciting Science Week events, see www.STEMKilkenny.ie and www.sfi.ie/engagement/science-week.
Fossils from the Castlecomer Plateau
Date: Saturday 14th November 2020
Time: 17.00-17.45
Format: online via. Zoom platform (link will be emailed in advance to those registered)
Free but registration required: Here
320,000,000! Did you know significant 320-million-year-old fossils were discovered in the coal mines of North Kilkenny?
Castlecomer Discovery Park’s Education Officer, Nichola Salmon, will tell the story of how these rare fossils were discovered and why they were the most significant find at the time. These were fossils of the first amphibian creatures ever to walk on dry land, resembling dragonflies, snakes and crocodiles. They created great excitement in the natural science community in the 1860s.
This talk is aimed at those with a general interest in what lies beneath including students, teachers and parents!
The Science behind Ireland’s longest Ziplines
Format: online video, released on 8th November across our social media platforms and website
Castlecomer Discovery Park is home to Ireland’s longest ziplines. How long is it? How fast is it? How do you slow down? Can I fall off? Why does weight matter? Why are some faster than others? What about the weather? At 308 metres long and 35 metres at its highest point, we reveal the science behind the Ireland’s longest zipline and the importance of STEM concepts such as velocity, mass, acceleration, gravity, friction, force and tension.
