Seaweed may be the popular term, but some say that "sea vegetable" is better way of conveying its real nutritional potential. Whatever your choice, the fact remains that you probably don't know what you are missing.
The Irish Seaweed Industry Organisation aims to remedy that, and as part of its educational campaign it is participating in the Galway Science and Technology Festival this week. The festival, which opened with a forest walk in Kilcornan Wood, Clarenbridge, yesterday, , comprises a full programme of events, presented both in schools and at an exhibition in Leisureland, Salthill.
Speaking at the opening of the festival last week, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy, reiterated his concern about the difficulty in attracting students into science and technology courses. This could have a negative effect on this booming economy, he said.
The timing of the regional science weeks in Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford was very important in the context of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Minister of State said. Research, technology and innovation would be an important component of the plan over the next seven years, and that plan in turn placed great emphasis on the role of our regions in economic development.
A NASA astronaut, a drug analyst and the "indefatigable" environmentalist, Eanna ni Lamhna, are among the promised participants. Stephen Robinson will draw on his experience of 4.7 million miles and 284 hours, 27 minutes spent on two NASA shuttle flights to give an inside perspective on life in space at lectures in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and on Thursday at NUI Galway's Cairns Theatre (6 p.m.), and in Leisureland at 8.30 p.m.
Tonight, Dr Mary O'Connor, a scientist attached to the Garda forensic science laboratory, will speak on the science of drug analysis. That lecture takes place in Leisureland at 8 p.m.
On Friday, BBC journalist Leo Enright will speak on "Mars - the New Bermuda Triangle", in the Kirwan Theatre, NUI Galway, at 8 p.m.
Details of the science and technology festival can be obtained from the Galway Education Centre at 091 753 226.
Meanwhile, those with a particular interest in seaweed are invited to contribute to the new national seaweed forum set up by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, last month. Submissions should be made to the Irish Seaweed Industry Organisation, Martin Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, by November 26th.