StrongWomen Science circus science show tour in Mayo rural+island communities
Year Awarded
2020
Amount
€16,625
- Organisation:Circus250 CIC
- Audience:General Public
- Format:Informal Education
- Location:Mayo
- Topic:Science
Project Summary
Mayo rural and island tour of Strong Women Science (SWS), a circus science show for families, with accompanying workshops. SWS is specifically targeted at increasing rural girls’ engagement with STEM. Rural girls are doubly hindered from science engagement. A recent report identified on average across OECD countries, city pupils score 31 score points higher in science than those in rural schools, equal to one year of schooling. In 2019, just 7% of Irish Leaving Certificate engineering students were female.
SWS is an exciting, fast-paced performance with two scientists-turned-circus performers. (Aoife Raleigh is an electrical engineer, Maria Corcoran an environmental scientist.) Aoife and Maria reveal the scientific secrets behind their astounding tricks including centre of gravity (acrobatics), angular momentum (hula hoop) and Non-Newtonian fluids (clown custard act).
SWS doesn’t only illustrate scientific facts. It seeks to promote enquiry, conversation and accessibility in science, making it open to all, in particular girls. It looks at the worth of failure, the need for evidence and the power of teamwork, shared by science and circus. Hands-on circus science workshops and parent training accompany performances.
Our venues are community halls – familiar, comfortable places for local families. We will tour to five venues (10 performances and workshops) in Summer 2021- Geesala, Belderigg, Bangor Erris, Clare Island and Achill Island (where we’re from).
SWS was developed on Achill Island, Co Mayo, with support from Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics in collaboration with local children and families.