merrion street

Geological Survey showcases flagship projects – INFOMAR (Marine Research) and Tellus Border (Environment) - to the RDS thousands, who can also attempt gold panning and a 3D flying experience!

Students from across Ireland will find out that Geology Rocks at the Geological Survey of Ireland’s fully interactive "Geological Sciences" stand at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. A team of professional geologists – but ready for fun! - will be on hand in Dublin’s RDS from 12th-14th January hosting a range of interactive activities revealing the extraordinary formation of our precious rocks, minerals and landscape. 

Visiting the GSI stand at the BTYSE today, Minister for Natural Resources, Fergus O’Dowd, announced a programme of applied research that will support more than 20 high end jobs in 2012. The research is part of INFOMAR, the national marine mapping programme, being conducted by the Geological Survey and Marine Institute and funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Minister stated, "I am particularly pleased to be able to announce the successful programme, while visiting the Young scientists Exhibition, which showcases the scientific talent being developed in Ireland. The 23 projects being funded under INFOMAR range from evaluations of tidal energy sites, to studies of Dublin bay and development of an online marine resources game. All the projects build on the vast mount of data being gathered under our national marine mapping programme, and represent the real world projects that can contribute to the economy and employ our young scientists in the future."

From marvellous minerals to fabulous fossils, wondrous water resources and extraordinary earthquakes, visitors to the stand will get an in-depth look at the geology of Ireland and the earth all around us. They can also experience an amazing geo-visionary flying experience and try their hand at gold panning! In addition, marine scientists from INFOMAR will be on hand to explain how most of Ireland is actually under the sea! And to really help visitors get to grips with ‘Understanding Underground’, the team from the EU-funded Tellus Border Project - a ground-breaking geological mapping project of the border region of Ireland – will be revealing how the project will help us get to grips with our landscapes. 

The Geological Sciences stand is located in the Eco Zone (stand 12) at the Exhibition. It contains exhibitions from the Tellus Border, INFOMAR and Groundwater Protection projects and exhibitions from Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the Natural History Museum of Ireland