Discover Science and Engineering is calling for all primary schools in Cork to get involved with Greenwave 2013. Greenwave is a citizen science project which sees primary students observe and track the arrival of spring as it moves across the country. Greenwave is also step one of the Discover Primary Science and Maths, Awards of Science & Maths Excellence. Last year, 60 Cork schools took part in the Greenwave project including Kilbehenny National School, Bishop O’Brien National School, Knockraha National School and Riverstown National School.

Between the months of February and May, students are asked to log their sightings of six species; frog, swallow, horse-chestnut, primrose, hawthorn and ash, in addition to measuring and recording wind speed, rainfall and temperature. The results are recorded on www.greenwave.ie in order to monitor and map the arrival of spring.

Speaking at the launch of Greenwave 2013, Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock TD, said that educating children at an early age in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) ‘is vital’ if we are to progress and maintain sustainable growth of Ireland’s economy.

“The Greenwave initiative creates an opportunity for children to engage with science in an interesting, fun and hands-on way, allowing us to teach our children to appreciate the significance of STEM subjects from a young age,” the Minister said.

Primary schools can now register their application for their Awards of Science & Maths Excellence on www.primaryscience.ie.