photo credit: gavinsblog

I’ve decided to make a list of “Things to Do and See in and around Bandon” for his family, keeping in mind that the children range in age from 6 years old to 9 months.

This is what I’ve come up with so far.

• Clonakilty Model Village and train
• Inchydoney beach
• Playground in Clonakilty
• Playground in Bandon
• Garretstown beach
• Charles Fort in Kinsale
• Whale in Kilbrittain
• Playground in Timoleague
• Nice flat walk from Courtmacsherry to Timoleague along the inlet, suitable for bike rides
• If weather is terrible and you feel like a day trip, I would recommend the Aquadome in Tralee and stop on the way in Killarney National Park. Great playground there. Aquadome good fun. Driving there takes about an hour and half.
• Cinema in Clonakilty
• McCarthys Maze Trail in Kilbrittain
• Fota Wildlife Park
• Bandon Skate and Play

So what have I missed? I know there’s plenty more but nothing else is springing to mind at the moment so any suggestions would be most welcome!

“Engineers’ Week is a week long programme of nationwide events with the aim of celebrating the world of engineering in Ireland. The aim of the week is to create a positive awareness and spark enthusiasm about the engineering profession to people of various ages with little or no engineering background.”

There are many events being run throughout the country aimed at a range of ages. From primary school kids to third level students, families and the general public, there should be something to interest and suit all.

My older children are particularly interested in the “CEIA Lego Robot Competition Finals” which are being held in the Maryborough House Hotel in Douglas, Cork on the 17 Feb 2011 from 5:30 to 8pm. In Cork, there appear to be many events taking place in Blackrock Castle Observatory and the Lifetime lab.

The Engineers Week website has the full schedule of events and a search filter to tailor your choice according to county, date or  audience age. Worth checking out I reckon.

photo credit: stillriverside

I received the following from Sinéad, a DIT student this morning.

I’m a student doing a thesis on baby high chairs in restaurants. I’m currently looking for the opinions of parents, guardians etc on their interpretation of the safety and cleaniless of baby high chairs in restaurants in Ireland. I was wondering if you would possible take 2 minutes to fill out this survey for me.

Her survey is very short and straightforward. So g’wan, help out a student and give it a go here.

Aimed at teams of three from 5th and 6th class aged between 9 and 13 years old, it focuses on local and national history and archaeological discoveries with the ultimate prize of  a unique school trip for the winners’  entire class.

To begin, you need to discover an entry code by playing the game on the website. Looks like good fun. Further details available here.

photo credit: Mads Boedker

Following on from the BT Young Scientist post, I was delighted to see, via Silicon Republic, that the Irish Patent’s Office are currently running a Junior Inventor Contest. This is excellent news as its aimed at primary school students who are too young to enter the Young Scientist exhibition.

Any idea or invention for a new product or procedure, an improvement on an existing product, or any idea that solves a problem or makes life better or easier can be entered by submitting a drawing or illustration accompanied by a written description.

There are two class categories:

1. First Class to Third Class
2. Fourth Class to Sixth Class

Prizes will be awarded in each category and the first placed winners in each category will also receive a prize for their schools.

The Patents Office will hold an Open Day on Monday 26th April to mark World Intellectual Property Day.  As part of this Open Day all prizewinners of the Junior Inventor Competition, together with their class and Teacher, will be invited to attend a prize-giving ceremony.

The deadline for submissions is 5.30pm on the 26th March 2010 and further details can be found here. Go go gadget

Cork based Sabrina Dent has done a brilliant job giving a number of options for the voting public to make their feelings known to the government on the appalling lack of breast care services available in Ireland at present.

It’ll only take a few minutes of your time so head on over and add your name.