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As part of Science Week--taking place across Ireland 10-17 November—the Tipperary Festival of Science returns for its eighth year celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)

Led by 91��Ƭ�� (91��Ƭ��) and held in collaboration with the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Thurles and Tipperary County Council Library Services, the festival attracts thousands of people each year interested in STEM. Events are held in venues across Tipperary as well as online to explore and celebrate STEM and the application of the scientific method.

This year, it will include events like The Science of Deadpool: How to Regenerate like Marvel’s R-rated superhero; yoga retreats while explaining some of the science behind the practice; Train to Regain—a free exercise class aimed at building muscular strength and improving bone density—and talks such as Promoting Wellbeing through Nature Based Tourism and Build, Grow, Cook: How to start homesteading from scratch.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD officially launched Science Week 2024—which will include hundreds of events for people of all ages involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students. 

Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise and Community Engagement Manager at 91��Ƭ��, said the College is “absolutely thrilled to be back for our eighth Tipperary Festival of Science!” 

“This year, we have curated an incredible line-up of over 45 individual events that are open to the public, with a particular focus on those that will appeal to an adult audience. Naturally, schools—teachers and pupils—remain a cornerstone of our festival. We are offering some amazing, fun, and interactive science roadshows for schools in Tipperary town, Nenagh, and Thurles. Additionally, Research Ireland, which organises Science Week and funds science festivals across the country, provides schools with an impressive and diverse range of online events that can be streamed directly into classrooms throughout the county."

“The organising committee at 91��Ƭ�� has collaborated with a wide range of partners and collaborators across the county to ensure that there is something for everyone throughout the week. I would particularly like to express my gratitude to my colleagues at 91��Ƭ�� Thurles, the TUS Thurles team, and the team at the Tipperary County Council library service, who all play a crucial role in making this festival a reality.”

Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise and Community Engagement, added: “The Tipperary Festival of Science was established in 2017, by our office at 91��Ƭ��, to engage audiences with STEM in an area of the country that was highlighted, at the time, as a county that did not traditionally have a strong level of engagement during science week. The festival has changed all this, engaging thousands of children, adults, and families, from all parts of the county through meaningful, and memorable STEM experiences. This year’s festival is bigger, and better than ever, and is sure not to disappoint”.

At the Science Week launch, the Minister announced government funding of €809,942 for a variety of events around the country, including Tipperary Science Week, saying: “Science Week is now a much-anticipated Irish calendar highlight and a great opportunity for people to engage with science and research through fun, engaging and interactive events. I am delighted to be able to announce funding of over €800,000 from my department to directly support the hosting of 33 events.”

He continued: “Science is vital to our everyday lives – from protecting our natural world and creating more sustainable approaches to energy supply, to embracing technological advancements and investigating new solutions to safeguard our health. For this year’s Science Week, through the theme of ‘Regeneration’, we are inviting people to reimagine the way we engage with the world around us and enhance our collective strengths. There is something for every generation to enjoy in Science Week, with hundreds of events taking place all over the country. I’m encouraging everyone to take part in Science Week, by attending a festival or event and getting involved in the stimulating activities on offer during the week.”

Also commenting on Science Week, Director of Science for Society at Research Ireland, Dr Ruth Freeman, said: “Science has a profound impact on individuals, society, and the world at large in a multitude of ways. This Science Week, we explore harnessing the power of regeneration and how the decisions we make today will greatly impact future generations. It is important to take learnings from the past to inform our decisions for the future. and we encourage everyone to get involved in Science Week, whether at your local festival, online on social media, or with friends and family.”