Science Foundation Ireland is calling on the Irish public to #StopAndAsk questions about the world around them as part of national Science Week 2018. Running from 11-18 November, Science Week’s aim is to bring science to the fore of the public’s minds through fun, engaging and interactive events.

Now in its second year, the #StopAndAsk campaign allows people to engage with the process of scientific discovery and find out the answers to how the world works around them. The public is encouraged to ask their questions across social media using the hashtag #StopAndAsk and to keep an eye out online and in the media where there will be opportunities throughout the week for the public to asktheir questions.

2017 saw the scientific community coming together to help the general public discover the answers to such questions as “why do onions make me cry?” and “how do wireless phone chargers work?”

The #StopAndAsk campaign is not the only interactive element to the week, with hundreds of events set to take place across the country; those not to be missed include:

  • Gut Health, Fitness and Performance – APC Forum, features leading Irish rower, Mark O’Donovan, Lead Performance Nutritionist with Munster Rugby, Emma Tester, Dr Orla O’Sullivan of APC Microbiome and Teagasc, and many more, on Monday 12 November at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
  • The Cavan/Monaghan Science Festival will be host to Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario with Doctor Smith, Theoretical Zombiologist, on Tuesday 13 November at the Market House in Co. Monaghan.
  • RTÉ One will show GROWING UP LIVE, an insight into the extraordinary development of humans from birth to death, presented by Angela Scanlon from an Anatomy Museum in Dublin. The programme will air at 7pm on November 13, 14 and 15.
  • The Midlands Festival is taking a Reptile Zoo to the Banagher Library in Co. Offaly on Saturday November 17.
  • Suzanne Kane’s and PJ Gallagher’s Dubland podcast will feature a Science Week takeover at the Laughter Lounge on Tuesday 13 November.
  • Baking in Space with Great British Bake Off finalist, and Aerospace Engineer, Andrew Smyth, and engineer, scientist and space explorer, Dr Niamh Shaw, on both Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 November at Smock Alley.
  • Gulp, a popular element of Electric Picnic’s ‘Theatre of Food’, with broadcaster, Jonathan McCrea, and Dalkey Food Company’s, Ivan Varian, at The Sugar Club on Thursday 15 November.
  • The popular Science Week Family Open Day will be held towards the end of the week on Saturday 17 November at the Dublin Convention Centre.

The number of events mean that there is something there for all ages and interests.

To find out more about what is taking place near you during Science Week see here.

Keep an eye out for the #StopAndAsk from 11-18 November and get involved!