“WHAT IT DOES is take simple materials,” says Trinity Professor Chris Morash, “and use them create a narrative that brings out the excitement of what is happening around us in the world of science and technology.”

With over 400,000 visitors last year and less than 10 years old, the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin looked to continue its momentum as it launched its programme for 2017 yesterday.

Attendees at the launch included Trinity scientists and secondary school students involved in some of the Gallery projects.

The head of the gallery, Lynn Scarff, told TheJournal.ie that the gallery continues to build on its success due to its links with the wider community.

“What we’re doing,” she said, “is taking some of the cutting edge research that happens in the university and bringing it into conversation with the community.”

In 2017, the free-to-enter Dublin gallery will feature three exhibitions, which Scarff describes as “pertinent to the times we live in”. They are:

• Humans Need Not Apply – this looks at the movement of artificial intelligence and cognitive computing into the world of work, whether you’re a doctor, a solicitor or a taxi driver. It begins in January 2017.

• Make Noise – the exhibition will look at how music and technology interacts together, and how new music and new sounds are being created. This will open in June 2017.

The Make Noise exhibition, as seen by secondary school students Source: Sean Murray/TheJournal.ie

• Collapse – the final exhibition of the year, this looks at the idea of a post-apocalyptic future and looks at the biggest challenges we’re facing. It asks: “what is the thing that will wipe us out?”

Senator, and former president of Trinity College Students’ Union, Lynn Ruane also attended the launch, and was full of praise for the work of the Science Gallery.

She told TheJournal.ie: “My relationship with the Science Gallery started about two years ago. It’s absolutely amazing to get kids thinking about STEM subjects.

“Their approach is so diverse, and they’s shown how science can get involved in activism. Their influence has been far-reaching both nationally and internationally.”

Senator Lynn Ruan with transition year students at the launch Source: Mark Stedman

Also at the launch was vice provost and chief academic officer of Trinity College Dublin Professor Chris Morash.

A Professor of English, Morash said the Science Gallery has been incredible effective at telling the story of science in a way that is accessible for all people, young and old alike.

He told TheJournal.ie: “What they do here is really smart. There’s these really exciting things happening in science at the moment, but they can seem very abstract.

Science is transforming our world, and our world is changing because of technology. This is one of the places where we are mapping this rapid change, and making it accessible.

He added that even for people who may not go on to study science, or don’t work in scientific fields, the Science Gallery allows people to become “much more active citizens” when it comes to the way science is changing our lives.

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