b'Since 1997 , the much-acclaimed Babor International for the children it removes the stereotype of a scientist in a white lab coat Arts Festival has been known for bringing creative art experiences toconductingincomprehensibleexperiments.Lessonsonbiodiversitychildren through their weeklong Galway event held every October. In 2012, started in the classroom and continued with a trip to a fish hatchery in Babor expanded its reach and began an ambitious project beyond the Connemara. Then, a textile artist came to the classroom to work with theFestival: engaging with 8 scientists, 6 artists, 8 teachers and 200 students students, who wanted to create a felt wall hanging and 3D models of fish.in 8 primary schools in Galway city and county. Their objective was not Best of all, becoming familiar with a scientist or an artist can be an inspiringonly to bring more science exposure to children, but to do it whilething for children. The scientists bring the children to their labs on thecombining Technology, Engineering, Maths and the Arts.college campus with the aim of getting them excited about third-level And so, The Babor Environment, Arts, Science and Technology education through that early familiarity. projector BEAST! as it is now knownbegan.With funding fromThe feedback were getting is tremendous, says Teenagh.WeThe Ireland Funds Promising Ireland Campaign Grant Round, thispolled parents, teachers, scientists and children last year andproject is now in its second year of bringing scientists and artists found 99% of the feedback was positive. Babor has always tried to from the local community into the classrooms of Galway. Thatimpact children in a positive way. Some of the positive outcomes wereexperience is breaking down the silos in our community and making sci- seeing include increased engagement; children who dont always partic-ence creative and fun for these kids, explains Teenagh Cunningham, ipate are interested and excited.Teachers have reported an increase inGeneral Manager of the Babor International Arts Festival. One of the teamwork, including teamwork between children of different back-hallmarks is that this is not a hit and run program where we come in for grounds who may not have interacted before. All of those things you havea single session. Instead, the children do multiple sessions with visiting to develop as a young person to succeed.scientists all from the Ryan Institute and the National University ofTeenagh shares how The Ireland Funds have been an integral part ofIreland, Galway. theyoungprogram. WeapproachedTheIrelandFundsabout And it isnt just the children who benefit. Teachers participate in the supporting us because it was such a good fit with what The Irelandworkshops, to inspire them to use the arts and creativity in the classroom. Funds do: its about access, education, developing the whole childI couldnt believe they were linking science and the arts but I wasto their whole potential. Funding from The Ireland Funds has been oneconvinced I could learn something, says Geraldine De Paor, a teacher at thing, but it has also helped us showcase what we do. The internationalthe Uachtar Ard Primary School. I can actually say my whole outlook on network that is The Ireland Funds and the massive interest in them is the teaching of science has changed. phenomenal. For us, to be able to show the impact that The Ireland FundsFor the scientists its a refreshing way to look at their own research. can have on a program like this, is just brilliant. How do you teach a group of 12 year olds about bacteria? How can you get The best impact may be summed up by Katie, a child involved in thethem excited about using seaweed for fuel? It pushes the scientists toBabor BEAST! program. When asked How come youre happy today?distill their content into basic and exciting lessons for the children. And She simply replied, Today is Monday, its science. Science is really art ina scientific way.connect2013 | 41'