The STEAM TY Project coordinated by Calmast, Waterford Institute of Technology’s STEM Outreach centre, combines science and art in a creative, engaging and educating way. Throughout the year, Calmast works with schools, industry, Spraoi and other cultural groups and the public to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) with a particular interest in working with the Arts in STEAM projects.

Together with Senator Grace O’Sullivan and artist Rachel Smith and supported by Garter Lane Arts Centre, Calmast has developed a project that encourages TY students and primary pupils to respond to the serious issue of plastics through an art installation: To thoroughly understand all aspects – the good, the bad and the ugly – of plastics, 19 TY students from Presentation Secondary School are currently researching what plastic is, how it became so popular and why it is causing so many environmental issues. At the same time, the students and pupils are collecting plastic waste which they’re using to create a collection of art installations for exhibition at Garter Lane Arts Centre from 14 – 19 January 2019.

The project is a Creative Waterford project and receives support from the Creative Ireland Programme Scheme.