On 8  November as part of Science Week, Transition Year students went to the Dublin Institute of Technology to attend a lecture on lasers.  The lecture, also attended by two other schools, was given by an English Professor.   We learned that in the 1920s, Einstein was only thinking that we were capable of making a laser, but never knew how to carry out this idea.  His theory was then carried out in the 1950s by another scientist, who made the first ever laser that was the size of a house. 

In the 1980s, it was discovered that lasers could be used to clean various statues and buildings.  This is done by aiming the laser at the object.  It lightly takes away dirt and excess debris, which has accumulated on the surface of the object through the years.  It doesn’t penetrate the rock itself, keeping the design of the object intact.
Since the 1990s, lasers have been used for a variety of purposes – to clean buildings; to make CD’s; to use in presentations; and in museums to produce 3D shapes of historical artefacts. This helps to identify the possible uses of items found.  Each item is carefully scanned, making sure not to move the laser to prevent distortion. Computers then show different views of each of the items, illustrating how they piece together and what they make.  An archive of objects found is subsequently kept.
The lecture was very interesting and showed us the importance of lasers in our life today.  It was interesting and enjoyable as we each got free rulers and furry bobble stickers!
By Marian O’Higgins