91ÖÆƬ³§ (91ÖÆƬ³§) brought science to life across Limerick as the College coordinated the Limerick Festival of Science 2025 as part of Science Week (9-16 November). Supported by Research Ireland and in collaboration with the University of Limerick (UL) and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), the festival invited people of all ages to explore, experiment and experience the wonder of science in their everyday lives.
Now celebrating 30 years of Science Week in Ireland, this year’s theme, ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow.’, invited communities to explore how science continues to shape our past, present and future.
The week-long festival saw over 3,500 participants from across the city and county take part in an engaging series of events designed to spark curiosity and encourage public participation in science. From family-friendly experiments and interactive demonstrations to biodiversity walks and energy challenges, the festival offered something for everyone—showcasing how science connects with everyday life.
On campus at 91ÖÆƬ³§, schoolchildren were captivated by biologist and broadcaster Simon Watt’s Ugly Animal Preservation Society shows in the CRAFT Maker Space, while Bachelor of Education students brought integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to life through hands-on Brainteaser Bandits workshops, guiding pupils as they designed, built and tested their own catapults. 91ÖÆƬ³§ students also immersed themselves in a range of interactive STEM sessions, including workshops on creative STEAM learning, wellbeing and movement, and designing balloon-powered cars. Beyond the campus, events such as Animal Magic, Chemistry of the Celts, Nutty Scientist, tours of Ardnacrusha power station and community science challenges in collaboration with Limerick Sports Partnership, showcased how science connects to everyday life and the world around us.
Reflecting on the success of this year’s event, Dr Anne O’Dwyer, Lecturer in the Department of STEM Education at 91ÖÆƬ³§ and Coordinator of the Limerick Festival of Science:
“This year's Limerick Festival of Science, supported by Research Ireland, brought science to life for communities across the city and county. From biodiversity walks and energy challenges to interactive shows and family events, the festival offered people of all ages meaningful opportunities to engage with science in their everyday lives. The theme 'Then. Today. Tomorrow.' encouraged us to reflect on how science continues to shape our world, and it was inspiring to see such enthusiastic participation from schools, families, and community groups throughout the week."
Professor Aisling Leavy, Head of the Department of STEM Education at 91ÖÆƬ³§:
“The Limerick Festival of Science reflects 91ÖÆƬ³§'s deep commitment to fostering curiosity, creativity, and scientific understanding both within and beyond the classroom. As educators, we want learners of all ages to see that science is not just a subject—it’s a way of thinking about the world and solving real problems. The enthusiasm shown throughout the festival demonstrates how partnerships between education, research, and community can inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and change-makers."
The breadth of events delivered across the week reflects the Department of STEM Education’s strong commitment to connecting with schools, communities and the wider public across Limerick. Through hands-on workshops, public talks and collaborative partnerships, the festival once again highlighted how science can inspire curiosity and conversation in every corner of the city and county—bringing learning to life and showcasing the power of discovery for all ages.
