Calling all Science fans! Having gone fully virtual last year, Cork Science Festival is delighted to be back to reality from the 6th to 14th November this year. Festival organisers are brimming with excitement as they get ready to showcase the best Cork has to offer in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The festival aims to increase engagement and interest in science subjects from a young age with an extra focus this year on primary school students, who would have missed out on a lot of opportunities for learning and interaction due to the pandemic.

Also new this year, Cork Science Festival is delighted to welcome on board Late Late Toy Show Star Adam King as an official Festival Ambassador. Known for his love of Space and his ambition to be part of Capcom,the Nasa flight control operations team, when he is older, the youngster from East Cork and his family love all things science. Adam hopes his involvement in the Festival will inspire other children to become passionate about STEAM subjects and shoot for the stars.

The Cork Science Festival programme will feature a packed calendar of free public events which will be delivered as a combination of virtual, blended, in-person and  broadcast workshops and shows.

Highlights of the Cork festival include online talks by Zookeepers at Fota Wildlife Park and Space Experts from MTU Blackrock Castle. Join the team at Fota Wildlife Park on 7th November for an online talk titled ‘Head and Shoulders above the rest’ where Zoon Keeper Lynda McSweeney invites you to explore the world of Giraffes and hear about their special features. Another virtual event not to be missed will see Dr Niall Smith and Frances McCarthy from MTU Blackrock Castle debate what it means to be an Astronaut these days. ‘What’s an Astronaut’ will stream live online at 3.30pm on the 10th of November.

Make sure to put the following dates in your diary as you won't want to miss the live family science shows taking place on the weekend (13th-14th November) at Cork’s Marina Market. Learn about The ‘Science of Bubbles’ with Scientific Sue show during live shows at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm on Saturday 13th November. On Sunday 14th learn about ‘The Science of Dragons’ with a show looking at the science of fire and flight that is inspired by the Cressida Cowell books ‘How to train your dragon’ at the 12pm, 2pm or 4pm session. These live science performances must be booked in advance on the corksciencefestival.ie website as spaces are limited. Ensuring everyone gets a chance to get involved, families can also sign up to have a science kit delivered to their home, which will teach kids how to extract DNA from a banana and how to build a DNA double helix.  They can also learn about ‘Fantastic DNA’ over Zoom from the comfort of home. 

A major focus of this year's festival  will be an extensive school engagement programme rolled out via primary and post primary schools  around the city and county this year.  Participating schools will receive science kits, books, and either live in school visits or zoom workshops to bring the science to life in the classroom. The exciting science kits on offer include: Fantastic Dna, Interactive Science, Mini Robots, Kite Making, CSI kit, STEM in a box, House of Circuits from Lifetime Labs,  Supermarket Science plus Bath Bomb Activity Packs, a fan powered car and a Land Yacht in a Box. 

In school visits will include an Animal Roadshow and Lego Workshop, while remote science shows such as Energy & Forces by Wonderstruck, Dr. Ken's Circus Science Show and Table Top Science are sure to amaze and excite. In addition, 5th and 6th class students will have the opportunity to explore the natural world during fascinating Lifetime Labs ‘Explorers Marine Science’ zoom talks.

Commenting on this year's Cork Science Festival programme co-ordinator Mervyn Horgan said: “Recent times have reinforced the importance of science for all of society. It has been a tough period in particular for children who missed out on so much during Lockdown so we are looking forward to bringing the wonder of discovery, exploration and invention back through Cork Science Week. Hopefully it will be a spark that ignites curiosity and creativity in the STEAM subjects.  Through our diverse programme we invite everyone, young and old to come and experience science.”

Festival Ambassador Adam King said “I am delighted to be asked to be an ambassador for Cork Science Festival.  It’s one of my favourite events and I can’t wait to learn more about Astronauts, Dinosaurs, Dragons and other cool science!“ 

Cork Science Festival has also compiled a selection of science videos all with a Cork connection, simply log onto www.corksciencefestival.ie/watch and select a video to watch whenever you like! 

Cork Science Festival is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, and is part of Science Week Ireland. For full details on the festival and opportunities to book for free public events see www.corksciencefestival.ie