80 primary school children took part in the RCSI ‘Come to Your Senses' workshops in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) on Monday, 12 November. As part of Science Week and the RDS Science Live Demonstration Lecture programme, the workshops used the theme of the five human senses to encourage senior primary school students to develop an interest in the science of the human body and the environment in which they live. The workshops are in line with the theme of this year's Science Week which is ‘Everyday experimenting'.

Primary school children from REACH RCSI link primary schools St Enda's NS, Whitefriar Street and Presentation Primary School, Warrenmount, both located in Dublin 8 participated in the workshops. 

The Primary Science Initiative was awarded a bursary to run the workshop as part of the RDS Science Live Demonstration Lecture programme which funds the development of creative and engaging workshops for primary school students, delivered in the RDS and in locations around Ireland. 

RCSI staff involved in today's workshops were Dr Maria Morgan, Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics; Dr Marc Devocelle, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry; Dr Yvonne Smith, Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics; Maria Kelly and Cliona Lyes, REACH RCSI; Dr Kenny Winser, Physiology and Medical Physics and Dr Jacqueline Daly, Biology.

‘Come to Your Senses' has been developed to ensure direct relevance to the primary science curriculum and is part of RCSI's Primary Science Initiative (PSTI) which aims to support the teaching of science in the classroom.  Today's workshop compliments the ‘Come to Your Senses' Summer Course which RCSI runs for primary school teachers to introduce them to hands-on and fun ways of teaching science. The Initiative is a component of the REACH RCSI programme which promotes Recreation, Education and Community Health. 

REACH RCSI works in partnership with primary and post primary schools, youth and community groups together with the local community on the design and delivery of educational initiatives including Grinds/ Homework Clubs, Science Workshops, Sports & health programmes and an Education Information Service. 

Science Week takes place from 11-18 November. For further information visit scienceweek.ie