South East Technological University (SETU) unveiled a programme of interactive, educational and fun events for people of all ages from pre-school to age 105. Events are set to take place from 13 to 19 November as part of National Science Week at locations across Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford.
The SETU Science Week events are co-ordinated by Calmast, the STEM Engagement centre at South East Technological University and supported by STEM companies all across the Southeast, Waterford City & County Council and funded and supported by Science Foundation Ireland.
Launching Science Week, Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to launch Science Week 2022. It is fantastic to see the conversations we had during Creating Our Future continue and to see them inform further conversations during events such as Science Week. As we consider the role that science plays in all of our lives, and how it affects our future, Science Week provides us with an opportunity to engage with science in informative and creative ways. I would encourage everyone to get involved, attending Science Week events and use your voice to help us overcome the challenges our country and our world faces.”
Science Week aims to encourage people to discuss and explore the possibilities that science offers. Science is an important part of a shared better future – helping us to understand our world, inspiring new opportunities, and providing potential solutions. From the infinite variety of our amazing planet and the adaptability of nature to our ability to face the unexpected, the possibilities are endless.
More than 200 free events will take place including activities for schools, afternoon shows for families and evening events for the general public with over 10,000 expected to participate across the region.
A wide programme of events is set to give the public inspiration by providing an opportunity to explore how science is important in everything we do and how science can contribute to a better future.
One of the organisers of Science Week at SETU Director of Calmast, Sheila Donegan says, “For the first time in three years we are back out enjoying a full programme of events for the 2022 South East, Kilkenny and Wexford Science Festival.
The festivals aims to foster an appreciation of science, which is all around us in our daily life. This year we are working with lots of STEM companies in the region, educational partners and community groups to deliver a broad programme of events for all ages and interests from interactive family shows, to exciting hands-on activities for young people and engagement opportunities and fascinating talks for adults too.
We are bringing those into community spaces into schools and also inviting people into SETU to enjoy a multitude of stimulating events from the ultimate LEGO building workshops with Bricks 4 Kidz; Bubble shows with Carline Ainslie, talks with lots of the female leaders in science aiming to encourage more girls to study STEM. We are also working with direct provision centres and our new communities along with highlighting climate change and how we can all work together to make an impact.
Whatever your area of interest is, there is sure to be a great Southeast Science Festival event for you and best of all this brilliant programme is on offer free of charge due to our wonderful event supporters and partners.”
A highlight of the week will be Science Family Fun Day. There will also be three Family Days on offer across the region during Science Week where families can enjoy a hands-on experience.
Waterford
In Waterford, Family Day takes place at the Theatre Royal and in the Large Room City Hall in Waterford on Sunday, 13 November.
Families are invited to join physicist and TV presenter, Mark the Science Guy, at the Science Week Launch Pad for the ultimate exploration of our place in space, with an interactive, high-energy, fun-filled show exploring the planet, our solar system and the science of rockets. A hands-on, hilarious and slightly explosive science week show is guaranteed.
In addition to Family Fun Day adults in Waterford have a wide range of festival events to whet their appetite with events such as Bruce Wardrop from SETU presenting the Science of Elite Sports, and Lizzie Abraham showcasing the future of artificial intelligence.
Join Dr Mark Rowe at Mount Congreve Gardens for an evening of exploration on Thursday, 17 November. As he says, ‘when it comes to your health, nature is the vital sign that time makes visible.’ Learn about the science of nature, and how regular exposure to health-enhancing phytoncides and fractal patterns can make all the difference when it comes to your health and vitality. How ‘nature time’ supports your mindset, stress responsiveness, sense of presence and so many aspects of your physical health. Discover the real benefits of ‘Forest therapy’ and how you will be able to experience this for yourself here in the wonderful Mount Congreve Gardens.
Kilkenny
The Kilkenny Science Festival Family Fun day events will be on offer from (time to time) on Sunday, 12 November at Kilkenny castle, Langtons and at the Castlecomer Discovery Park.
At Kilkenny Castle festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their ear defenders as Caroline Ainslie will host a balloon and bubble show. Young festivalgoers will be encouraged to discover why some balloons pop louder than others and they will have great fun investigating the differences between soap and latex bubbles.
At Langton‘s, Super Science’ will be on offer with Mark Langtry AKA ‘Mark the Science Guy and TV presenter from RTE’s hit-show ‘Let’s Find Out. Mark will be his favourite and fun science experiment and there will be booms and whizzes and lots of fun for all the family.
At Castlecomer Discovery Park a day filled with family fun events is on offer starting with a family-friendly talk on prehistoric life beginning in Kilkenny. Castlecomer was the site of spectacular fossil finds in the 19th century and young festivalgoers will get an up-close chance to discover more. There will be talk of coal forests, giant dragonflies, millipedes and even dinosaurs.
Event partners for the Southeast Science Festival in Kilkenny include Kilkenny Council Library services, EPA, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership and Castlecomer Discovery park.
Wexford
The Wexford Science Festival Family Fun day events will be on offer from (time to time) on Saturday, 19 November at Wexford Town Library, Gorey Library, New Ross Library, Enniscorthy, the National Opera House and at WWETB FABLAB.
At Wexford Library Super Science will be on offer with Mark the Science Guy from RTE’s hit show ‘Let’s Find Out’. He will host a fun-filled, energetic display of his favourite science experiments for the whole family to join in. There’ll be whizzes, pops, booms and plenty of laughter in this hilarious show featuring rockets, cannons and gravity defying stunts and much more to keep the kids entertained and inspired, with lots of ideas for home science activities.
At Gorey Library Ken Farkuhar is calling on young festivalgoers to ‘Roll up’ and enjoy some entertaining circus science experiments. The ‘Juggling Scientist’ Dr Ken explores the scientific principles behind skilful circus tricks and dangerous stunts. You will be holding onto your seats as he eats fire, cracks whips and juggles five beanbags - all in the name of science as audiences learn about gravity and friction.
At New Ross Library ‘Nutyty scientists’ will explore the science of space and at Enniscorthy Library Junior Einsteins will be able to join in some science experiments.
At the National Opera House ‘Good Vibrations’ will Explore the science of music, with Physics teacher Paul Nugent and singer and musician Daithí O'Nuanáin from Anúna. They will explore why some notes sound better together than others and if you can use science to compose a melodic tune.
At WWETB festivalgoers are invited to explore the FABLAB (Fabrication Laboratory) a fabrication workshop which gives people the opportunity to turn their ideas into reality.
At the Wexford Science Café, there will be a Public discussion on the science, technology and politics of developing renewable energy resources in the county. This discussion will cover a wide range of issues arising in relation to the current and future wind power and solar power projects offshore and on land in Wexford. These include issues of climate science, power-grid and turbine technologies, investment, planning, and community disruption and benefits.
Event partners for the Southeast Science Festival in Wexford include the EPA, Wexford Council library, Local STEM companies Danone and Waters, the national opera house, and Wexford local development agency.
The core theme for Science Week 2022 is “Infinite Possibilities”. From the infinite variety of our amazing planet and the adaptability of nature to our ability to face the unexpected, the possibilities are endless. We have many choices to make and more challenges to face, and we are all part of the conversation about the role that science can play. For Science Week 2022, we are asking people to explore the infinite possibilities of science. Full details of the Southeast Science Festival and booking can be found at www.calmast.ie.