Last Sunday’s Munster Maths and Science in Mallow GAA Complex Fair proved to be the biggest and most successful in its nine-year history with an incredible 60 exhibits providing fun and entertainment for all who came. From doors opening at 11.30am, a very busy stream throughout the day saw an attendance that easily surpassed 5,000 and eclipsed all previous years before doors closed shortly after 4pm.
The focus of the fair was to showcase the fun side of maths and science and to display how it is used in everyday life. Exhibits featured a whole range of interactive demonstrations which included robotics, 3D visuals, microscopes, communications technology, maths puzzles, drones, and even a planetarium, which are just a sample of the many activities visitors took part in at the country’s largest ‘community’ based Science and Maths Family Fair.
There were also energetic and enthusiastic teams from Institute of Physics (Physics Busking), Maths Week Ireland, and new additions the Nutty Scientists, who fascinated everyone with entertaining and interactive experiments across a wide range of themes.
The mix included many flagship companies, alongside leading 3rd level educational institutions and 16 local schools, all participating with their own interactive exhibits. Apart from the mission to demonstrate that science and maths can be both entertaining and interesting, the more serious objective is to encourage young people in Munster to embrace the subjects which can be the pathways to stimulating career opportunities later on in life.
The Munster Maths and Science Family Fair continues to grow year on year and is long established as a highlight annual event for Mallow Town. Mallow Development Partnership are the promoters and organisers of the event, with key sponsors being Cork County Council’s Economic Development Fund, and the Irish American Partnership. Other generous supporters include Mallow Credit Union and WindSource Ltd.