Louth Science Festival is back for its fifth year: bigger and better than ever
There was great fun in Drogheda Library yesterday as girls and boys from local primary schools got the chance to become scientists for the morning and they were loving it.
Under the watchful eye of scientist Jennifer Byrne from an organisation called Anyone 4 Science, that makes science fun at schools science clubs throughout the country, the children enjoyed themselves with pipettes and other scientific equipment and discovered lots about some basic chemical reactions.
Supported by Louth County Council and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Louth Science Festival, which takes place from 7th to 20th November is a fun, educational and exciting community festival.
When this reporter was at primary school steam was what sometimes came out of the teacher’s ears as he tried to instil some knowledge into our heads using chalk and a blackboard but these days STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths and the equipment is much more fun altogether.
According to SFI research, Louth is a low intervention county in terms of STEAM participation, and Louth Science Festival aims to find fresh and innovative ways of bringing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths to new and existing audiences, particularly reaching out to those not typically serviced by STEAM programming.
Since its inception in 2018, Louth Science Festival has seen the Library Service partner with local schools, educational facilities, organisations and community groups. This year’s festival – the biggest to date – seeks to develop these connections and build new ones.
The festival’s 2022 offering, which will be delivered both in-person and online, will see a continuation of Louth Library Service’s work with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT), Dr Niamh Shaw, iCrag, Dublin Zoo and Met Éireann, as well as local primary and secondary schools.
Furthermore, new collaborations with the ESB and Creative Spark will lead to exciting specialised workshops for schools, families and adults, including talks on renewable energy, and hands-on workshops in mobile Fab Labs.
Daniel Kajan and Maria Zywica investigate acid based reactions using pipettes at the launch of Louth Science Festival in Drogheda Library yesterday. Photo: Andy Spearman.
There is truly something for everyone at Louth Science Festival; from our youngest citizens to our oldest; for all interests and abilities.
There will be talks on Genealogy; being a Blacksmith; Superhero Science and Climate Action.
Workshops for schools will include videos and visits from the likes of the Irish Air Corps, Scientific Sue and Circus 250.
Family Fun Days held throughout Louth as part of the festival will see the School of Irish Archaeology bring ‘The Big Dig’ to ‘The Wee County’, as well as visits from the Mobile Music School, Dr Niamh Shaw, Eve McCrystal, Anyone4Science and even a mobile Escape Room with BiOrbic! All events are free.
For more information on Louth Science Festival contact your local branch library, email libraryhelpdesk@louthcoco.ie or Tel 042 9353 190 and follow Louth Library Service on Facebook and Instagram.
Join in if you want to boldly go where no Science Festival has gone before!
Enjoying themselves at the launch of Louth Science Festival in Drogheda Library yesterday were Emma Bradley, Jaimie Donagh, Lucia Devitt and Rose Thomas. Photo: Andy Spearman.
