Annabel Ryan and Sara Higgins getting ready for Cork Carnival of Science. Image: Clare Keogh

The Cork Carnival of Science, Ireland’s largest outdoor science engagement event, is back with a bang, and this year’s programme promises to be more exciting than ever. Scheduled to take place at Fitzgerald Park from 8th to 9th June, the festival, supported by Cork City Council and Science Foundation Ireland, is set to transform the park into a veritable science wonderland.

Organised by Cork City Council’s Lifetime Lab at Old Cork Waterworks Experience, this highly anticipated two-day event aims to ignite curiosity and a love for science among children and families. The festival will feature over 45 different STEM-based activities, live science shows, and interactive experiences, all centred around the theme of nature-based science.

Visitors can look forward to a myriad of fascinating activities, including live science shows in circus tents exploring topics such as weather, water, forces of gravity, and the fun side of science. Other highlights include scientific showstoppers, giant puzzles, Lego mania, remote-controlled robots, DNA investigations, and battery-making workshops.

Headline Acts and Live Shows

The festival will host 26 live seated science shows in Circus Top and Stretch Tents, featuring stars from the science education and entertainment world. Notable performances include:

• Airforce by Simply Science: Hosted by physicists Dr. Stephen Davitt and Phil Smyth from RTÉ’s Home School Hub, this interactive show involves the audience in a hands-on journey through fundamental scientific principles.
• The Crazy Weather Show by Scientific Sue: A dramatic exploration of extreme weather and climate change effects.
• Now that’s what I call Science by W5 from Belfast: An engaging show that delves into science’s greatest hits, examining key experiments and the scientists behind them.
• Its Only Water by Science Made Simple: An interactive exploration of water’s unique properties.
• Airheads by Thunder Bolts & Lightning: A humorous adventure with hovercrafts and scientific antics.
• The Circus Science Show by Inspirational Science: A showcase of surprising scientific tricks and stunts.

New and Noteworthy

This year’s festival introduces several new activities, including:

• Bee-ology: A circus-science performance blending bee and insect stories with entertaining facts.
• OurKidsCode: Coding workshops for parents and primary school children, aiming to inspire the creation of coding clubs nationwide.
• Free Hydro Cells Research Project: UCC’s initiative on sustainable energy creation.
• Curiosity Cube: A hands-on investigation of the life cycle of a t-shirt, presented by Merck.

Nature Under the Microscope

The theme of nature will be explored through various activities. The Irish Tree Network will guide visitors through the importance of plants, and the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme will foster a deeper understanding of the marine world. The Lifetime Lab will showcase microscopic wonders, while the Animal Roadshow will feature a petting zoo with diverse animals, including lizards, snakes, and owls.

Returning Favourites

Popular attractions returning to the festival include the Stardome Giant Inflatable Planetarium from Blackrock Castle Observatory and the 40ft inflatable model of the human digestive system from APC Microbiome Ireland. The Active Zone will highlight the science of sport with activities facilitated by Transport for Ireland, Cork City Sports Partnership, IRFU, and FAI.

Exploration Routes

Visitors can navigate themed routes such as ‘Exploration Avenue,’ ‘Innovation Way,’ and ‘Discovery Drive,’ each lined with workshops and interactive stands from various scientific organisations.

Accessibility and Additional Features

To ensure inclusivity, sign language interpretation will be available at live show performances, and a designated quiet zone will cater to those with noise sensitivities. Families are encouraged to bring picnics or enjoy food from 12 food trucks. On Sunday, a Youth Orchestra performance will add to the festival’s ambiance.

For more information and the full programme, visit Cork Carnival of Science or follow @corkcitycouncilofficial on social media. Don’t forget to scan the QR code on arrival for the festival brochure.

The complete programme of events is available on Cork Carnival of Science. Highlights include hourly seated shows by:

• Scientific Sue with ‘The Crazy Weather Show’
• W5 with ‘Now that’s what I call Science’
• Simply Science with ‘Airforce’
• Science Made Simple with ‘Its Only Water’
• Thunder Bolts & Lightning with ‘Airheads’
• Inspirational Science with ‘The Circus Science Show’