Hybrid Science Week: Hundreds of events taking place both virtually and in-person

Science Week partnering with Creating Our Future campaign

Dublin, 1 November 2021: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD, today joined Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to launch Science Week 2021, a national celebration of science with hundreds of virtual and physical events taking place. Running from 7-14 November, Science Week 2021 is supporting the Government of Ireland’s Creating Our Future campaign, which provides the public with the opportunity to submit their ideas for research to make our country better for all.

Science Week 2021 aims to give the public inspiration for ideas for the Creating Our Future campaign by providing an opportunity to discuss and explore how science can contribute to a better future. Submissions to the campaign, which was launched in July 2021, will run until the end of November. Ideas can be submitted at www.creatingourfuture.ie. 

SFI is working with a number of organisations and individuals to support Science Week, including RTÉ 2FM’s Doireann Garrihy and Carl Mullan, comedy duo, The 2 Johnnies, podcaster and author, Blindboy Boatclub, and leading immunologist, Professor Luke O’Neill, amongst others. 

Speaking at the launch of Science Week 2021, Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to launch Science Week 2021. As we consider the role the 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 fun, informative and creative ways. We launched the Creating Our Future campaign, the first of its kind in Ireland, to really get a full understanding of the challenges, issues and desires of the Irish public and how research can support them in the coming years. We want you to have your say on what we should be focusing on and what your priorities are. So get involved, and use your voice and help us overcome the challenges our country and our world faces.”

Director General, Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, Prof. Mark Ferguson, said: “Science Week has been such an important week in our calendar for over two decades and I am delighted to see it growing every year. Covid-19 has been incredibly challenging for everyone, but we have seen the best of what science and research has to offer in providing solutions and creating a better future for us all. I am delighted to say that Irish scientists, doctors and researchers have played a fundamental role throughout the pandemic. As we move out of the pandemic and really think about the future that we want for ourselves and future generations, we all have an opportunity to have our voice heard through the government’s Creating Our Future campaign. I would encourage everyone to submit their ideas to the platform as well as engaging with Science Week through our events and digital activity; there really is something for everyone.”

Most Science Week 2021 events will take place online and are free to join, but registration may be required. A number of events in collaboration with Creating Our Future are due to take place in person, in full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines. 

Do you want to discover more about the Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo? Find out about Space Explorers with EPIC Museum? Or maybe you want to discover more about your memory with Ginny Smith? These are just three of the shows available to watch during Science Week. All shows will be available with captions or an Irish sign language interpreter. 

A sample of the Science Week events taking place and available to join online are: 

  • Science Week Live - Daily online show made by Gen Z (and Dr Niamh Shaw!) for Gen Z. This free live-streamed show will review and discuss all things Science Week! Monday 8th – Friday 12th November 5pm – 5:30pm.
  • Phil Smyth Quiz - testing your science knowledge and giving away some fantastic prizes – Friday 12 November.
  • Actually, it is Rocket Science with Dr Naomi Lavelle – Rocket technology is the science of future exploration, and this show has something for all rocket enthusiasts! You will learn how rockets work while making your own, with three different options provided in this step-by-step workshop. Monday 07 – Sunday 14 November.
  • The role of STEM in caring for Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo - Meet the herd of Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo and discover how science plays a part in their care! You will receive a link to the video on Sunday 7 November that will be live for you to use until Monday 15 November.

This year there will be 14 Science Week Festivals taking place across the country in Cork, Cavan / Monaghan, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo, Wexford, Kilkenny, Kerry, Southeast, the Midlands, the Teagasc Festival of Farming and Food and BIAS: Inequality in Women's Health and Research.

Hundreds of events are being held virtually and, in each county, nationwide to celebrate Science Week from the 7th to the 14th of November. The number of events means that there is something there for all ages and interests.

For a full list of the thrilling science shows, workshops and talks across the country, visit the Science Week website www.scienceweek.ie.