The 2nd Robert Boyle Winter School will take place at RDS Dublin next Saturday 25th January and will consider “Climate Change : The Irish Story”.
Robert Boyle was born in Lismore Castle on 25th January 1627 and became one of the most important scientists of his age. The Summer and Winter Schools bring scientists and non-scientists together to celebrate Boyle and Irish Science Heritage and examine issues relevant to society.
The day will start with an outline of Boyle’s work, demonstrating how he was influential in the adoption of the experimental method by science.
2020 is the bicentenary of Carlow born Scientist John Tyndall who first demonstrated the greenhouse effect that drives global warming. Norman Macmillan (retired Carlow IT) will celebrate Tyndall’s life and work. Prof J Owen Lewis, president of the RDS, former CEO of Sustainable Energy Ireland and Dean of Engineering and Architecture UCD, will talk about Ireland’s recent history in energy and environment. Dr David Robert Grimes, DCU and author of The Irrational Ape, will explain how flawed logic puts us all at risk and how critical thinking can save the world.
Schedule:
10:00 Registration / Coffee
10:15 Welcome
Morning Session Chair Evelyn Cusack Head of Forecasting Met Eireann
10:30 Eoin Gill (on Robert Boyle and the Experimental Method)
11:15 Norman Macmillan (on John Tyndall and the Greenhouse Effect)
12:15 RDS Library display on Boyle, Tyndall and other related treasures
12:45 Lunch
Afternoon Session Chair Kevin O’Sullivan Environment and Science Editor Irish Times
13:45 J Owen Lewis (on Climate Change and Ireland how we are doing and what we have to do)
14:30 David Robert Grimes (on Climate Change Denial)
15:15 Panel Discussion J O. Lewis, N Macmillan, E Cusack, C O’Raifeartaigh
16:00 Close
The event is a partnership of WIT, Lismore Heritage Centre and the RDS Science Committee.
Supported by the Institute of Physics and Science Foundation Ireland.
The Robert Boyle Summer School will run in Waterford 25 – 28 June with the theme “Women in STEM: Past, Present and Future”