BASF sponsors Megamolecules

Part of Discovery event promoting science, engineering technology and maths careers

The International Year of Chemistry 2011 was launched in Ireland earlier this month, with an opening by BASF senior executive Chris Dale at the Discovery event held in Cork City Hall.

Discovery is the largest Science Week Ireland event in the region, promoting Science, Engineering Technology and Maths (STEM) to young people, their parents and the general public. This year more than 6,500 people attended Discovery events over the two weeks, including 1,200 families and more than 2,000 school children.

The aim of Discovery is to ensure the availability of highly skilled graduates for employment in Cork, by illustrating the range of career options in science, technology engineering and maths locally. The event began during the Cork City of Culture in 2005.

A highlight of this year’s Discovery event was Megamolecules – large-scale sculptural pieces revealing the chemical structure of common substances. This project, sponsored by BASF, was brought to Ireland for the first time from Keele University to launch the International Year of Chemistry, 2011.

Local students helped project creator Graeme Jones to construct the Megamolecules for installation in City Hall. The project, and the Megamolecules, will be available to schools and companies in 2011, appearing at locations and events around the Ireland to promote awareness of chemistry.

You may also like