Secondary school students aged 15-18 are invited to attend the outreach talk ‘Mathematics Science = Superhero powers?’ by Barry Fitzgerald (NCE-MSTL, University of Limerick) on Tuesday 18th October 10.30-11.30 in the University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

This activity is free. This activity is organised by MACSI (Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry) and by the NCE-MSTL (National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning) and is funded by Discover Science and Engineering. Over the last two decades, a large number of Superheroes have made the leap from the pages of Marvel, DC and other comic books to continue their adventures on the “Big Screen”. With the aid of special effects we have seen superheroes use their powers and abilities in unbelievable situations. Spiderman has stopped a run-away train in New York while Wolverine’s indestructible body has survived battles with seemingly more powerful enemies. But can these powers and abilities become reality? What is possible and what is impossible? Can we actually become invisible? What about having super strength without having to go to the gym! In this talk, Barry Fitzgerald will talk about the mathematics and science behind some of the powers and abilities of superheroes. Barry will speak about topics such as gene sequencing and manipulation, the search for extra-terrestrials or aliens and the fabrication of the invisibility devices while discussing the importance of mathematics and science in these topics. He’ll also be showing the audience an expensive trick on how they can become stronger without going to the gym! Barry Fitzgerald is a research projects officer in physical sciences at the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL) at the University of Limerick (UL). He has a PhD in Computational Physics and his research interests include granular materials, computer algorithm development, biomedical imaging and physics education. Barry has previously spoken nationally on superhero science, astronomy and the science of the future.