Bord Gáis has announced sponsorship that will help over 4,000 primary school children travel form across Cork City and County to attend science workshops at Lifetime Lab.Lord Mayor Cllr.Brian Birmingham and John Mullins, Chief Executive of Bord Gáis were joined at the launch by 33 students from St. Finbarr’s Primary School who travelled on the Bord Gáis sponsored bus from their school in Bantry, Co. Cork. The bus will be available to transport students directly from the primary schools to visit Lifetime Lab where they will have the opportunity to undertake a series of tutorials and practical assignments relating to Science.

Michael O Brien,Project Manager Lifetime Lab,Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr.Brian Birmingham,John Mullins CEO Bord Gais with John Lavin and Cillian O Sullivan pupils of  St.Finbarrs NS,Seskin,Bantry arrive at Lifetime Lab on the Bord Gáis sponsored Bus

Speaking at the launch, John Mullins said; “Bord Gáis has long been committed to supporting education and research in the areas of science, technology, engineering and sustainable development and is delighted to support this initiative with Cork City Council.  The Lifetime Lab initiative provides an excellent opportunity for children to witness science and engineering in action and to build on the passion that many children hold for the environment and world around them.”  

Michael O’Brien Project Manager of Lifetime Lab said: “The partnership with Bord Gáis and Cork City Council will remove one of the major barriers to access facing schools which is transport. Thanks to this sponsorship, primary school students from all over Cork City and County will travel to Lifetime Lab and engage in hands on science workshops. The uptake of science and engineering is of strategic importance to employment in the region as industry requires a constant supply of high level graduates to enter the workforce. Lifetime Lab workshops encourage investigation and discovery, introducing a positive experience of science, a “science nursery” which will encourage the uptake of science and engineering subjects in second and third level.”

Participating in the hands-on renewable energy experiments at Lifetime Lab are St. Finbarr’s BNS, Bantry students Anthony Hanley and Daniel Murphy with John Mullins, Chief Executive, Bord Gáis.

Mr. Mullins also highlighted the fact that Ireland currently has a shortage of engineers and scientists in its universities.  “It is critically important that we nurture the interest in science, engineering and the environment as these areas, particularly in respect of renewable and sustainable energy, will be major career paths for our future generations.” The Bord Gáis sponsored bus will operate throughout the school year to transport children to and from their school to Lifetime Lab at the old waterworks site on Lee Road, Cork. 

If you wish to book a workshop please contact Lifetime Lab at lifetimelab@corkcity.ie or 021 4941500