PRESS RELEASE
Young coders will help with the fight against flu next week at Science Gallery
For immediate release
Young computer coders team up with immunologist to build programs that will help scientists fight the flu virus.
Science Gallery, Pearse Street, Trinity College, Dublin 2.
Saturday, May 19th 2012
Admission: FREE (pre-booking essential)
CoderDojo is a free computer coding club run by young volunteers where other young people can learn how to develop websites, apps, games and more. It’s a place where coders can show each other what they’re working on, share what they’ve learned, and meet like-minded people.
Since December 2011, CoderDojo Dublin have been meeting every Saturday at Science Gallery and, on May 19th, this Dublin faction will take on a deadly killer – the flu virus.
In this special CoderDojo meet-up, Dr. Amir Khan from the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin will talk to the young coders about the science of flu vaccinations, and invite them to develop programs that will help scientists to produce a better vaccine.
In his talk, Dr. Khan will describe the amino acid strings that are found in common flu viruses and how immunologists use these strings to create flu vaccines. Comparisons of these strings are central to determining what will be the most effective vaccine for that year’s winter flu, and scientists use special computer programs for this. The CoderDojo coders will develop small programs that automate this amino acid comparison.
This talk is part of the Science Foundation Ireland ‘Speakers for Schools’ initiative, where SFI-funded researchers visit primary and secondary school students to speak about their work.
ENDS
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
EVENT: Coder Dojo at Science Gallery
LOCATION: Science Gallery, Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin
DATE: Saturday May 19th
TIME: 1:00pm-4:00pm (Dr Khan’s talk will take place at 1:00pm)
ADMISSION: Free (pre-booking is essential)
BOOK: www.sciencegallery.com/events
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eugene Eichelberger, Program Facilitator CoderDojo Dublin
E_ Eugene.Eichelberger@coderdojo.com P_ +353 86 213 3206
T_ @coderdojodublin W_ coderdojo.com/dojos/dublin/
ABOUT CODERDOJO @ SCIENCE GALLERY
The CoderDojo Dublin began in the summer of 2011 as a branch of the CoderDojo movement founded in Cork by James Whelton. Designed to bring kids who want to learn to code together with mentors to guide them, CoderDojo has gone viral, spreading throughout Ireland and around the world. The Dublin Dojo started off small, with a few dedicated mentors inspired by the success in Cork. Today the Dublin Dojo, in a long term agreement with Science Gallery, runs weekly sessions for 80-100 kids. Through the continuing efforts of the Dublin Mentors, the Dublin Dojo at Science Gallery continues the CoderDojo mission of introducing in-demand ICT skills to children at the secondary school level. More information about CoderDojo Dublin or guidence in getting involved please visit: coderdojo.com/dojos/dublin/
ABOUT SCIENCE GALLERY
Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin is a world first, a space that ignites creativity and discovery where science and art collide. Since opening in early 2008, over 900,000 people have experienced 20 exhibitions ranging from light to love, from sustainability to infection. Science Gallery’s 21st exhibition, HAPPY?, is part of a vibrant 2012 programme to celebrate Dublin’s tenure as European City of Science including their previous show EDIBLE, and upcoming shows HACK THE CITY, NANOLAB and GAME. Science Gallery is an initiative of Ireland’s leading research university, Trinity College Dublin and is kindly supported by the Wellcome Trust as founding partner, and by DELL, Google, ICON and Paccar (our Science Circle supporters). Science Gallery receives government support from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and Science Foundation Ireland.
ABOUT SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for research in Ireland.
SFI invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering underpinning three areas: Biotechnology, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and Sustainable Energy & Energy Efficient Technologies (Energy).
SFI also advances cooperative efforts among education, government and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland’s reputation for science and engineering research.
