From music to mammals, the Midlands Science Festival had it all!
The Midlands Science Festival started in Athlone with a science of rugby event in Athlone on November 9 and today culminated with almost 1,000 people attending a Discovery Day in Tullamore, the latter event was supported by Integra.
Over the course of the past ten days, communities across the midlands have engaged with the science of everything from music to mammals and from astronomy to art.
The Festival was supported by Science Foundation Ireland as part of national Science Week. The theme for Science Week 2023 was ‘Human?’, which asked people to consider what it means to be human in today’s world, and how the decisions we make today will impact the people and world of the future.
Events in the Midlands this year included speakers such as renowned palaeontologist and Jurassic World adviser Dr Steve Brusatte and cold water swimming Guinness World Record Holder Nuala Moore who has swam in some of the coldest and remote places in the world.
Highlights in Laois included a unique writing science, writing humans workshop with award winning author Niamh Boyce. Work produced by workshop participants will be shortly published by Midlands Science in a unique pamphlet, showing the strong links between science and the arts, both of which are driven by creativity and curiosity.
Highlights in Offaly included a science of music event with Dr Claire O’Connell and a performance by Bohemian Strings, probably the first ever science week event to include a classical performance of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
Highlights in Longford included a special family open event with the National Museum of Ireland which explore the wildlife of the regin, past and present. Those who attended particularly enjoyed getting to see a taxidermied wolf up close and to learn more about how these creatures once roamed Ireland.
Highlights in Westmeath included a swim and talk with Guinness World Record Holder Nuala Moore who was swum in Drake’s Passage and the Bering Strait among many other places.
Commenting on the festival, Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented ; “ it was wonderful to see people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with Science Week activities in the midlands this year, we want people to see that science is for everyone and it’s part of everyday life. So whether you’re a cold water swimmer, a rugby fan, a music fan or a person who loves creativity, science is relevant to your life and interests everyday. This year the theme was being human and what could be more human that curiosity and creativity.”
Midlands Science runs a range of free science outreach activities all year round supported by a variety of partners and more information is available on www.midlandsscience.ie