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Walton Institute partners on the new SFI STEAM Art Collaboration: where artists and scientists join forces to inspire students

Posted: 25-03-2021

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    Rotation Relay. Artist: Ed Devane

    Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) launched the STEAM Art Collaboration on 25th March 2021.

    This new initiative aims to inspire and engage primary school students, and the public, with research through the commission of five artworks which unite the disciplines of art and science.

    Artists Shevaun Doherty, Ed Devane, 1iing Heaney, Peter Nash and David Beattie were chosen following a competitive selection process in 2020. The artists have worked in close collaboration with researchers from five SFI Research Centres; APC Microbiome, CONNECT, iCRAG, Lero and FutureNeuro, to produce five artworks which creatively interpret an array of scientific topics. As a leading academic partner in the CONNECT SFI Research Centre for Future Networks & Communications, Walton Institute will support Ed Devane to creatively interpret quantum communications presented through a musical gyroscope. Each of the five projects is specific and unique to the artist and researchers involved.

    Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland said: “This new collaboration through the SFI Discovery Primary Science and Maths Programme provides students with access to science in an engaging and educational environment, highlighting the many important connections between science and the arts. The five artists have interpreted their concepts in a variety of exciting ways which are informed by research, but are not purely explanatory in nature. The aim of the initiative is to captivate and inspire children to learn more and I would like to congratulate all those involved in creating these works of art.”

    Speaking about the novel research area of quantum communications in Walton Institute being portrayed to primary school students using such creative means is Jerry Horgan, Head of Division of Research Infrastructure and Testbeds, and SFI CONNECT Research Fellow: “Quantum communication is still a relatively new field of research with many hypotheses to address as we investigate the potential use cases of this technology in the future. My colleague, Dr Deirdre Kilbane and I, are very much looking forward to working with Ed Devane to develop an engaging piece of art to show young children the fun side of research with a goal of encouraging them to consider a role in STEM as a career”

    The project is funded under SFI’s Discover Primary Science and Maths programme, and in part by The Arts Council.

    A virtual exhibition of all five artworks will take place for schools and the public to explore the collection and to delve into the stories behind each commission. In tandem with the exhibition, the collaboration between the SFI Research Centres, artists and the SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths programme will launch educational resources to enable primary school students to investigate the research topics further and to inspire attendees to create their own artworks informed by science, technology, engineering and maths.

    The final works of art will be showcased for primary schools nationwide through two interactive virtual exhibitions taking place on Wednesday 12th May and Thursday 13th May 2021. To register for the event teachers can sign up via Eventbrite at http://sfi-art-collaboration.eventbrite.com. Queries to primaryscience@sfi.ie

    A public virtual exhibition will run from Thursday 20th May, with an evening launch taking place on this date from 7-9pm. Registration for this event will also be available via: https://bit.ly/3cVVfms. Following the exhibition all five art pieces, information on the projects, and their associated resources will be available at: http://www.sfi.ie/engagement/art-collaboration/.