Music, teddy bears and movies – Science Week in the midlands

Science Week celebrates 30 years this year and the Midlands Science Festival, supported by Research Ireland, has something for everyone in the second week of November.

Highlights include a day of movies and workshops exploring environmental issues with ecologist and educator Tasmeen Kahn in Mullingar; the science and music concert ‘Sing Up For Science’ with Bohemian Strings and Dr Claire O’Connell in Longford; and the ever popular Discovery Day in Tullamore, in association with Integra.

Minister Kevin Boxer Moran, helping launch the event, said: “Science Week is an extraordinary opportunity for people of all ages to engage with science in many different ways. In the midlands, Midlands Science supported by Research Ireland, provides a wide-ranging programme for Science Week every year and there are many great events happening in the region.

“They include a family Discovery Day, a Teddy Bears Hospital and events exploring the science of music, biodiversity and environmental issues. The theme for Science Week this year is ‘Then, Today, Tomorrow’ and that encourages us all to consider how much progress Ireland has made with science to date and to be ambitious for what might come next.”

For the first time, Midlands Science welcomes the Teddy Bears Hospital to the midlands (in Athlone), so, if you have bears that need check-up or stitches, they are welcome at the Midlands Science Festival.

The event introduces children to healthcare in a fun and friendly way, helping to ease worries they may have about the hospital environment. Through a number of stations such as the emergency station, phlebotomy, or pharmacy, every teddy bear brought along will receive care and a fun experience through the hospital.

The event is suitable for children aged two and up, and they are welcome to bring any teddy bear that needs a short hospital visit. Attendance is free of charge, but donations are welcome, and all proceeds going to Oscar’s Kids Ireland, this year’s charity by the RCSI Paediatrics Society, who run the Teddy Bears Hospital.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science, said: “We provide science outreach to a wide range of groups across the midlands all year round, but Science Week is always special to us as it’s a chance for the general public to see what we do in a fun and engaging way.

“This year it’s a chance to experience everything from award-winning movies to teddy bears getting check-ups – it’s all about celebrating science and human curiosity. The theme for Science Week this year is ‘Then, Today, Tomorrow’, which encourages us all to consider the changes that science has brought to our lives and of course to consider what the future might bring.”

Events take place across the midlands in various locations. The programme will be available online from October and details can be found on midlandsscience.ie, its social media and at Eventbrite.