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Seismology In Schools

An Outreach pilot programme called Seismology in Schools (Seismeolaíocht sa Scoil) was introduced by the Geophysics Section of DIAS to 50 primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland in 2007. Currently there are 55 primary and secondary schools in the programme and has now been extended to include colleges, universities and geo-parks.

2015_INSN_sis_schools_loc_stations

Using the seismometer and associated software distributed in this programme, students are able to record and study earthquakes from the other side of the world in real-time. Students monitor the performance of the seismometer daily and consolidate the learning and data collection techniques outlined in the training days. Ultimately students upload the recorded earthquake data to the International Schools in Seismology website to share their earthquake data with other schools initially in Ireland, the UK, and USA. The experience of the Seismology in Schools pilot programme reinforces the idea that when science is relevant, learners become more engaged when they see how science is reflected in the reality of their own lives and by what they read in the media.