Season of Science at South Dublin Libraries
South Dublin Libraries in collaboration with NOISE music and with the support of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) are delighted to present Season of Science 2023. Season of Science will run throughout the month of November and bring scientific exploration to the curious of all ages.
Under this year’s theme “Human” we are concentrating on 3 main themes: music, AI, young STEM entrepreneurs.
There is very little more central to the human experience than music. Humanity sent a Golden record into space with Voyager which contained greetings and music from around the world. Working with NOISE Music we hope to produce a Golden Record for South Dublin Libraries and expand our borrowers’ world views into space.
AI is currently a major topic of conversation in all sectors of society. Will it be a help or a hindrance? In a series of lectures for adults we will explore the promise and dangers of AI.
Encouraging young people, especially girls, to engage in STEM careers can be a struggle at times. We hope to break down barriers by introducing teenagers to young STEM entrepreneurs closer to their own age and to show that many career options include more STEM elements than you would think.
Thursday 2nd November | 5:00 – 7:00pm | Lucan Library
DJ/Music Tech Workshop with NOISE Music
Suitable for teens, this session will allow participants to discover the creative possibilities of music technology through beat matching, layering
songs, and adding effects. Book here.
Friday 3rd November | 3:00 – 4:00pm | Tallaght Library
Solar System Exploration Workshop
Join Noise Music for this family workshop which explores the Solar System, Space and the “Golden Record” - a collection of sounds and
music that was placed on the Voyager space craft. Participants will be invited to submit their own suggestions for a new Golden Record, and to make contributions to this record. Book here.
Monday 6th November | 7:00 – 8:00pm | Ballyroan Library
Wizards & Widgets: Navigating the AI Jungle with Niall Austin
In an era where technology increasingly shapes people’s daily lives, Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) is emerging as a beacon of possibilities... it’s the voice assistant that sets your morning alarm, the recommendation system that suggests a new book, and the software that optimises urban traffic flows.
The omnipresence of AI is not however a sign of its dominance, but of its utility and adaptability. So rather than being seen as a threat looming on the horizon, AI should be recognised as an enabling tool, with the potential to amplify our productive capabilities and creative potential.
This talk therefore dives into fun examples of how AI blends with creativity, making it clear that AI isn't just for the "other guy" – it's for all of us, boosting our imaginations and adding a sprinkle of magic to everyday lives!
Beyond examples of AI in action, the talk then specifically looks at the art of "prompting", which is how you interact with, and get the best back from, the technology - just as a sculptor chisels away to reveal the masterpiece within, shaping prompts allows people to harness A's true potential.
There’ll also be some fun examples of where Art and AI come together for a good laugh, as well as some "wow" moments of what AI’s already achieving around the world. So drop down for an enlightening journey through where technology and creativity intersect, forging pathways of progress and imagination, while discovering how AI can be your new best buddy!
About Niall Austin
Niall Austin is an award-winning Artist and Technologist, who’s fascinated by the symbiotic relationship between AI and artistic pursuits. Using his critically acclaimed, AI generated plays ‘PL-AI’ and ‘Deep Fake’, which were recently performed at the Civic Theatre, he’ll show how AI can actually be a super helpful tool that can make our everyday lives easier and more fun.
Suitable for adults. Booking advised here.
Tuesday 7th November | 5:00 – 7:00pm | Tallaght Library
DJ/Music Tech Workshop with NOISE Music
Suitable for teens, this session will allow participants to discover the creative possibilities of music technology through beat matching, layering
songs, and adding effects. All welcome, no booking required.
Wednesday 8th November | 2:45 – 3:45pm for 6-8 year olds and 4:00 – 5:00pm for 8-12 year olds | Ballyroan Library
Get Creative with Rubbish!
This workshop introduces the concept of waste reuse and includes a wide range of hands-on arts and crafts activities reusing waste materials such as fabric, scrap paper, food cans and tetra packs. With The Rediscovery Centre. Booking essential here.
Wednesday 8th November | 4:30 – 6:30pm | Castletymon Library
DJ/Music Tech Workshop with NOISE Music
Suitable for teens, this session will allow participants to discover the creative possibilities of music technology through beat matching, layering
songs, and adding effects. All welcome, no booking required.
Monday 13th November | 3:30 – 4:30pm | Tallaght Library
Solar System Workshop
Join Noise Music for this family workshop which explores the Solar System, Space and the “Golden Record” - a collection of sounds and
music that was placed on the Voyager space craft. Participants will be invited to submit their own suggestions for a new Golden Record, and to make contributions to this record. Book here.
Monday 13th November | 7:00 – 8:00pm | Ballyroan Library
The Future of AI
As part of our series of talks on Artificial Intelligence (AI) come and find out about the future of AI. What will we use it for, will it be a help or a hindrance. ISL translation included. Suitable for adults, booking advised here.
Tuesday 14th November | 10:30 – 11:30pm | North Clondalkin Library
Meet Éanna Ní Leamhna!
Come and meet broadcaster, author and ecologist as she taks about her new book Our Wild World. Wildlife expert Éanna Ní Lamhna takes us on a tour of all things to do with our wonderful natural world: from a celebration of our fascinating birds and bees, and their powers of migration and pollination, to the thorny challenges of our time, such as climate change, sustainability and our carbon footprint. Schools booking only. Enquiries to North Clondalkin Library.
Tuesday 14th November | 4:00 – 5:45pm | Kishogue Park Traveller Centre
Colourful Science
In this workshop the children are introduced to pipettes and how to use them to transfer and measure liquids, make potions and carry out experiments too see what each liquid is! This workshop consists of a series of structured activities that the children do, followed by some time for free experimentation, designed to introduce children to chemistry. Not open for public booking.
Tuesday 14th November | 2:00 – 5:00pm | Tallaght Library
Synthesize Her Exhibition and Performance
This event by NOISE Music, in partnership with Viva Dean of Synthesize_Her_, comprises of an exhibition which will feature interactive electronic instruments including the Playtronica and a beat-making station to allow people to experiment with making music, some of which will be used in the creation of a new Golden Record. All welcome.
Wednesday 15th November | 5:00 – 7:00pm | Ballyroan Library
DJ/Music Tech Workshop with NOISE Music
This session will allow participants to discover the creative possibilities of music technology through beat matching, layering
songs, and adding effects. Suitable for teens – all welcome.
Thursday 16th November | 10:30am – 12:00pm | Tallaght Library
Young STEM Entrepreneurs Panel
Join winner of the James Dyson Award 2023, Joel Olympio; inventor of the Bia Buddy, Caoilfhionn Hallissy; and David Cawley director of Onesonic as they talk to our host about how STEM has influenced their careers. For Second Level schools booking only – enquiries to Tallaght Library.
Thursday 16th November | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | North Clondalkin Library
DJ/Music Tech Workshop with NOISE Music
This session will allow participants to discover the creative possibilities of music technology through beat matching, layering
songs, and adding effects. Suitable for teens – all welcome.
Saturday 18th November | 1:00 – 2:00pm for 6-8 year olds and 2:30 – 3:30pm for 8-12 year olds | North Clondalkin Library
Get Creative with Rubbish!
This workshop introduces the concept of waste reuse and includes a wide range of hands-on arts and crafts activities reusing waste materials such as fabric, scrap paper, food cans and tetra packs. With The Rediscovery Centre. Booking advised here.
Saturday 18th November | 11:00am – 12:30pm and 2:00pm – 3:30pm | Clondalkin Library
A Fun Introduction to AI and Machine Learning for Children
Machine learning is changing our world in a big way, and although we hear about it daily in the news, most of us are not sure exactly what it is. Things we don't understand can seem scary. Will robots take over the world? And if so, can you control the robots to do what you want? In this Inventors Club workshop students learn how Machine Learning differs from traditional computing. We will teach our computers to differentiate between students and judge our dance moves. We end by playing with applications that use Machine Learning and a computer judged singsong. Suitable for 9-13 year olds. Booking essential here.
Monday 20th November | 7:00 – 8:00pm | Ballyroan Library
AI and Disinformation with Dr. Ricardo Castellini da Silva
In this talk, Dr Ricardo Castellini da Silva will explore the complexities of the digital information age, discussing the current state of disinformation in our society and how recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have played an important role in it. Dr Ricardo will also discuss some important media literacy practices to tackle disinformation and engage in a more critical approach to the use of AI. Suitable for adults. Booking advised here.
Saturday 25th November | 11:00am – 11:45am for 7-10 year olds, and 12:00 – 12:45pm for 5-7 year olds| Castletymon Library
Anyone4Science ASD-Friendly Science Workshops
Join Anyone4Science for a fun ASD friendly science workshop. Booking for 11:00am workshop here. Booking for 12:00pm workshop here.
Saturday 25th November | 2:30 – 4:00pm | Lucan Library
Demystifying AI Workshop
AI's impact on society is profound and multifaceted. It is transforming industries, enhancing efficiency, and reshaping how we live and work. To many, this technology seems incomprehensible and even frightening. Spain Hughes-Fagan of Inventors Club CLG, will simplify this seemingly complex subject.
This fun, easy and interesting, hands-on workshop, for anyone curious about what exactly AI is, is designed to demystify artificial Intelligence. We will focus mainly on Machine Learning, one important component of AI. You will get a chance to play with Machine Learning applications and train models to differentiate between participants. No prior knowledge is necessary. Suitable for adults – booking essential here.
Monday 27th November | 7:00 – 8:00pm | Ballyroan Library
The Ethics of AI with Dr. Michal Wieczorek
For every promise about the benefits of artificial intelligence technologies there is at least one story of AI gone wrong. The last few years have brought us countless reports about AI’s insatiable thirst for personal data, its inherent biases and potential for discrimination, its disastrous impact on education or its potential to displace workers. And if you are feeling particularly pessimistic, you just need to open the internet and stumble upon one of the many dystopian visions of AI taking over the world.
This talk will provide a crash course on the ongoing debate about the ethical dimension of artificial intelligence. Which risks should we be worried about and which are overblown? How to make AI more in line with our values? What are regulators doing about the dangers inherent in AI? Why are big tech companies so interested in joining the AI ethics space? Do we have to choose between regulation and innovation?
These and many other questions will be answered by Michał Wieczorek, a philosopher and postdoctoral researcher at DCU who studies the ethics of using AI in primary and secondary schools. ISL translation included. Booking advised here.
Monday 27th November | 3:30 – 4:30pm | Tallaght Library
Solar System Workshop
Join Noise Music for this family workshop which explores the Solar System, Space and the “Golden Record” - a collection of sounds and
music that was placed on the Voyager space craft. Participants will be invited to submit their own suggestions for a new Golden Record, and to make contributions to this record. Family event – booking essential here.