15 July 2020 - The Festival of Curiosity, Dublin's annual international festival of science, arts, design and technology, supported by Science Foundation Ireland, was officially opened today by Minister Simon Harris, T.D., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

From playful days to curious nights, the festival programme will appear in its 8th year in a brand new digital format for people of all ages to explore and discover science, arts, design and technology in curious new ways. Transforming wherever you are into a curious playground of the future, the festival will take place across 4 days and 4 nights from July 16th - 19th.

Minister Harris said: "I am delighted to open The Festival of Curiosity 2020, which helps to builds a society that is engaged and excited by research and innovation. Research, science and innovation are key in building a sustainable and flourishing society and economy, especially in this COVID-19 era. Through an innovative new digital approach, the festival will be reaching out for the first time to people across the entire island, so wherever you are you can take part."

Dr. Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland said: "Science Foundation Ireland has been working with the research community to ensure a coordinated and impactful response to solving some of the challenges we are presented with during the current Covid-19 crisis.  We are proud to support the Festival of Curiosity and I am delighted to see the festival creating a brand new online platform to connect the public with stimulating ideas about science, creativity and innovation."

Playful Days: Join The Galaxy Squad for Space Explorers with Dr. Niamh Shaw and her Daily Space Missions for curious kids. Prepare for The Incredible Tale of Robot Boy with Theatre Rites or get hands-on making Rube Goldberg Machines at home, and creating a Paper Zoo for Shadow Puppets. Scientific Sue will also be sharing her top secrets of how to make Giant Outdoor Bubbles!

The festival will be co-hosting across the Atlantic Sea, a short-film programme for children in partnership with BAICFF (San Francisco) including a live kids Q&A with award winning animators. For the young explorers (or young at heart) join our Live Explorer Adventures virtually as we visit Dublin Zoo, Bull Island Biosphere, OpenHive (to visit the Irish Black Honeybees) and Airfield's Urban Farm. Learn how to make a Pollinator Garden in small urban spaces, or join in for a virtual Sow & Grow-along workshop.

The Inventor Film is launching a world-wide search for Young Inventors that will become part of a new epic stop-motion adventure film about Leonardo Da Vinci, and you can enter your cardboard invention when it's being launched in Dublin as part of The Festival of Curiosity 2020.

Curious Nights: For foodies, stargazers, dreamers, and explorers make a date with our Curious Night's programme of events for adults. Discover how Da Vinci dreamed of creating a city that could defend against the plague and how his designs might have lessons for us in the 21st century.

Join Claire O'Connell as she finds the latest authors that should have a home on your shelf. Tickle your taste buds with our Live Kombucha and Cooking Without Heat events from Airfield. Journey into the World of Animation with Oscar Nominated Director and Writer Jim Capobianco or peek into the Future of Drones with Lye Ogunsanya.

More info on all events is available here