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Calmast Centre for Advancement Learning of Maths, Science & Technology, South East Technological University

Calmast, led by Sheila Donegan and Eoin Gill, was established in 2003 at South East Technological University (SETU) to promote STEM. This followed considerable activity by SETU staff since the mid 1990s in promoting science and engineering on a national and international level. We have reached hundreds of thousands of people with science supplements, publications, STEM events and activities. Together with Waterford City and County Council, industry groups and schools we aim at developing Ireland’s Southeast as a Science Region with Waterford as the gateway city. Events include the Robert Boyle Science Festival (as part of National Science Week), Waterford Engineering Week (as part of National Engineers Week), the Robert Boyle Summer School and the Bealtaine Festival Celebrating Our Living Earth which incorporates International Day for Biological Diversity in May. In 2006, we founded Maths Week Ireland - the largest festival of its kind in the world:
We have also participated in many international STEM festivals in Korea, China, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic and the UK. Eoin Gill and Sheila Donegan are the only Irish recipients of the Descartes Award for Science Communication. They received the Engineers Ireland Inaugural Award for Science, Engineering and Technology Awareness in 2007.

Engage with Maths in a new way! With puzzles, games, magic, and fun, find Maths in the City around Ireland this Maths We...
07/10/2026

Engage with Maths in a new way! With puzzles, games, magic, and fun, find Maths in the City around Ireland this Maths Week 🎉

06/10/2026
02/10/2026

Exploring Megafauna in Irish Water with the Explorers Education Programme!

Join the Marine Institute Explorers Education Programme as they introduce your class to shapes and sizes of marine animals in Irish Waters! Discover who is the largest, the smallest, and the loudest. Take part in our marine animal size challenge and see if you can match the shape to the species before exploring how shape can inspire how we design and make new technology.

Suitable for children 8-12 years of age, this interactive 1-hour webinar via Zoom will take place on the 12h of October at 10 am and will include time for students' questions.

Register at https://www.mathsweek.ie/2026/mathsweektv-booking-form/

Marine Institute - Foras na Mara Calmast Maths Week Ireland

28/09/2026

A lovely day at Athy Sing & Sign!

The ISLA Festival in Athy brought together a welcome and fabulous group of people to support Irish Sign Language (ISL). We were delighted to have our Maths games and puzzles as part of the festival, for the third year in a row!

Throughout the day, people stayed at our table, working through our puzzles and persevering until it was solved. We had so much fun helping folks develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills!

Thanks to Athy Sing and Sign for having us.

South East Technological University Maths Week Ireland

22/09/2026

The October 2026 issue of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society features a great article about the origins, impact and importance of Maths Week Ireland, with conversations from Sheila Donegan and Eoin Gill, founders of Maths Week.

“It just took off. We first held events in thirteen locations: universities and visitors’ centers across the island... It was clear that the event had momentum, and we ran it each year for a few years.” - Sheila Donegan

“We thought we’d be pushing a rock uphill when we started. Turns out that we were holding a tiger by the tail.” - Eoin Gill

👉 Read the full article at: https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/202609/noti3393/noti3393.html

South East Technological University | Calmast | James Lawless TD | Hildegarde Naughton T.D. | Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation & Science

09/09/2026

Let’s knock it out of the park, Katie Taylor style 💥🥊 Register your school as taking part in Maths Week today!

Did you know that Katie Taylor’s favourite subject in school was Maths? Katie even went on to feature as a question for the 2015 Junior Cert Higher Level Maths Exam.

Register your school at: www.mathsweek.ie/2026/register/
🔗 Link in bio

South East Technological University CALMAST

28/08/2026

It was a great honour to be invited to present at the Kennedy Summer School for the Primary Schools STEM event 🚀

The day was about exploring space science. Eoin Gill, director of Calmast, presented an interactive STEM demonstration showing the primary students about CO2, atmosphere and pressure, extreme cold temperatures, and rockets.

We had a fabulous time inspiring the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. Thanks to Prof Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, for introducing the day, JFK Memorial Park & Arboretum for hosting the event, and fellow speakers Abigail Mizzi, Àine Flood, and Dr Deirdre Kilbane.

South East Technological University

🎉 A Year of Events with CALMAST 🎉Did you know CALMAST runs events throughout the year, bringing STEAM (Science, Technolo...
24/08/2026

🎉 A Year of Events with CALMAST 🎉

Did you know CALMAST runs events throughout the year, bringing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) to people of all ages?

Here’s a look at what’s on the calendar:

🧠 Robert Boyle Festivals
Robert Boyle Summer School
A celebration of curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, with leading speakers exploring science, philosophy, art and culture. And next year, we’re going BIG for Boyle 400, marking Robert Boyle’s 400th birthday with celebrations around the world!

⚙️ South East Engineering Festival
The South-East Engineering Festival
A week packed with hands-on activities, competitions and workshops, introducing students to the exciting world of engineering.

🌱 Bealtaine Living Earth Festival
Bealtaine Living Earth Festival
Celebrate Ireland’s incredible biodiversity and discover the natural world around us. From bird and bat walks to boat trips and heritage garden explorations, there’s plenty to discover whether you’re an adult or a student.

➗ Maths Week Ireland
Maths Week Ireland
Our biggest festival, reaching over 500,000 students across Ireland and NI. With puzzles, games, and challenges, explore Maths in a way you didn’t think was possible!

🚀 Science Week
Kilkenny Science Festival
WexSci-Wexford Science Festival
Science Week spans across the South East with the South East Science Festival, Kilkenny Science Festival, and Wexford Science Festival. Join us for some scientific fun, magic, rockets, and illusions!

🌎 ACT Waterford
ACT Waterford
Throughout the year, ACT Waterford brings together art and science for Creative Climate Action. ACT brings together local artists with the community to explore how individuals can take meaningful action against climate change. Recent projects include the Seaweed Girl and Crockery Mountain art installation in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

All of our events have something for everyone, whether you’re a student or an adult.
💬 Which CALMAST events have you been to?

South East Technological University

Best of luck to all!
21/08/2026

Best of luck to all!

🎉 Best of luck to the class of 2026! 🎉

South East Technological University Calmast

14/04/2026

We’re excited to share the Cyber Schools Initiative, a programme led by Calmast SETU STEM Engagement Centre, that brings the world of Cybersecurity to classrooms across Ireland. 💻👾

This year, Transition Year students will receive a visit from a Cyber Security professional to kick off the 5 week programme. Through interactive, problem-solving activities, students will learn how to defend a hospital, encrypt data, and much more.

Cyber Security is an important topic for students to learn in our digital age. This initiative is intended to bring awareness and build a curiosity around Cybersecurity as a career.

Thank you to our partners and sponsors for helping bring this Initiative to schools nation-wide.

Managed by: South East Technological University Calmast

Supported by:
Research Ireland

Sponsored by:
UKG KPMG Optum Unum Ireland eSentire

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South East Technological Universiry, Waterford Campus. Cork Road
Waterford

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