South Dublin County Council Unveils New Educational Lab in Tallaght

South Dublin County Council (SDCC), through South Dublin Libraries, is excited to announce the launch of the AWS Think Big Space in Tallaght, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The launch will take place on Thursday 7th April 2022 at 10 am.

The AWS Think Big Space is a new educational lab located beside the Tallaght Luas stop, which aims to inspire an interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. It provides a dedicated space for students, educators and communities to explore innovative and imaginative ideas through interactive hands-on technical education. AWS has opened AWS Think Big Spaces across the world, however, this is the first AWS Think Big Space to launch in Europe.  

South Dublin Libraries and AWS will host an innovative programme of events in the AWS Think Big Space starting in April. Events will take place every month and feature Creative Hut Robotics workshops and virtual reality (VR) workshops. The VR workshops will introduce students to the technology behind VR as well providing a hands-on experience and the chance to see VR in action. In the Creative Hut robotics workshops, students will have the opportunity to collaborate and create amazing robots, take on challenges and get an introduction to robotics technology. Students and teachers will be encouraged to “Think Big” by using their creativity and imagination as they explore the technologies on offer. The programme will support interactive hands-on learning and will be available for 4th class to 6th class primary school groups, and 1st year to 4th year secondary school groups.  

Speaking on the launch, Paul Fusco, County Librarian with SDCC, said,

“We are delighted to announce the launch of the AWS Think Big Space, and this exciting collaboration with AWS. Libraries have always moved with the times and this is a perfect example. The pace of technological advancement is ever-increasing, and by working with experts in the field like AWS, South Dublin Libraries can help the children of today become the creative thinkers for tomorrow.”

Mike Beary, Country Manager, AWS Ireland, added:

“AWS has been investing in South Dublin for over a decade. We’ve grown the number of our employees, expanded our collaboration with colleges and universities, invested in skills programmes, renewable energy projects, and strengthened our relationships with local communities across the country including in SDCC. We chose the SDCC area as the first location in Europe to launch an AWS Think Big Space because of the council’s focus on digital skills for the local community. We are deeply committed to the local communities in which we operate, and are excited to see how students and community members explore and cultivate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)–related interests in the AWS Think Big Space.”

ENDS

For more information on the AWS Think Big Space and bookings contact South Dublin Libraries at (353) 1 459 7834 or email librariesthinkbigspace@sdublincoco.ie.

Cllr Alan Edge at the Think Big Space launch in The Big Picture, Tallaght

SDCC - Jason Frehill Director of Economic Enterprise and Tourism Development, Joanne Reynolds (Amazon Web Services), Paul Fusco (County Librarian)

Students from St Killians NS try the latest tech at the Think Big Space launch in The Big Picture, Tallaght

Students from St Killians NS at the Think Big Space launch in The Big Picture, Tallaght