The big bugs are back, and with them giant turtles, the science of sound, how technology makes movies magic and hundreds of other attractions planned for Science Week Ireland. There are 350 public events organised for next week's science-fest, most of them completely free, and designed to appeal to child and adult alike, writes Dick Ahlstrom
Organisers of Science Week Ireland, Discover Science & Engineering (DSE), have chosen a populist theme certain to appeal to a wide audience: the science behind entertainment.
The aim is to tap into the arts and culture to focus on the science behind leisure and entertainment - including movies, music and sport - explains DSE programme director Peter Brabazon.
"This is the ninth year and the event's objective is to raise the general awareness of science and technology in society," he says. "It is an effort to raise the level of science literacy amongst the general public."
Science Week Ireland is the single largest public science awareness event staged by DSE and Brabazon believes that as the programme has grown so too has public understanding of science.
It started with no more than a few dozen scheduled events but this has grown into hundreds.
Importantly, it is a national event reaching into all parts of Ireland and events are scheduled to take place in libraries, schools, college campuses, nature reserves, parks and retail outlets right across the State during the week from November 13th to 20th, he says.
"It takes a nationwide approach," Brabazon says, and one that is built on partnership. While the DSE programme helps to co-ordinate and promote events taking place during the week, it is down to the local organisers to conceive, organise and stage talks, chemistry demonstrations, lab tours, slide shows and lectures.
"Most of the effort is carried out by the promoters themselves," says Brabazon. "A lot of the value is added directly by them."
Cork has been chosen to host the Science Week launch tomorrow morning. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, will be the guest of honour along with the Lord Mayor of Cork and engineer Deirdre Clune, and Rose of Tralee and theoretical physics graduate Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin at the city's fantastic new interactive facility, the Lifetime Lab.
The Lab is based in Cork's old waterworks along the River Lee. The plant has been refurbished but the space now also houses the latest interactive displays, which focus in particular on the environment, water and air quality.
The week provides something for everyone but there is a strong emphasis on primary and secondary school students.
For this reason many of the events are highly interactive, such as the Big Bug Show - where attendees are encouraged to handle creepy crawlies - or the chemistry shows, where explosions, rockets and surprises are always in store.
The Cinemobile is on tour showing "Claymation" movies and explaining the science behind this form of animation. The Science Bus will also be popping up around the country and there is a roadshow on the science of sound.
There will be events on the science behind bubbles and animation, music and astronomy and film-making and talks and demonstrations showing how to help the environment.
The full programme of events is available online and the list can be used to pick out events by city or region.
Note that while most events are free, many should be booked in advance to ensure places are available. Brabazon's advice is to book now to avoid disappointment.
See www.scienceweek.ie