Science Week

Science Week

Science Week is a week-long event in Ireland each November, celebrating science in our everyday lives.

Science Week 2025 will take place from 9th to 16th November

In 2025, Science Week celebrates its 30th anniversary with the theme
Then. Today. Tomorrow.

Managed by Research Ireland, Science Week 2025 marks thirty years of harnessing the power of curiosity and collaboration to advance science in Ireland. This year, we reflect on the progress made over the past three decades and celebrate how science and research have shaped our lives. Together, we will explore the questions and challenges of tomorrow, using our past to inform our future decisions.

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Years

Science Week first began in Ireland in 1995, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025.

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of the Irish population consider science to be important.

The Science in Ireland Barometer analysed the Irish public's attitudes towards science in 2020.

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The distance the moon has receded from the Earth since 1995.

The moon gets 3.8cm further from the Earth each year!

Past Highlights

Large glowing Newt float in a nighttime street parade with performers and crowd.

Turas Alf/Alf’s Journey

by Macnas

Alf, a giant puppet of a Smooth Newt. Created by World-renowned Masters of Visual storytelling, Macnas. Alf’s creation was inspired by the current conversations around climate change and habitat loss.

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Red glowing star-shaped light installation with a space-themed display beside it.

Solaris

by Axolotl

Solaris, a kinetic sculpture created by the collective Axolotl. In 2024, Solaris took audiences on a journey through the life cycle of a star, all the way from the star nurseries where a star is born to its death and the formation of a pulsar.

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Two people facing a glowing "BODY" sign in a dark, misty room.

BODY

by Walk the Plank

Supporting Text: Inspired by anatomical science, BODY is an outdoor immersive journey through six different zones, mixing human biology with light, special effects, sound and fire. Brought to audiences as part of Science Week 2022.

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30 Years of Science Week

Timeline Shapes
Large glowing Newt float in a nighttime street parade with performers and crowd.
Woman holding Creating Our Future sign outside in town.
School children, teachers and Minister holding trees to plant for Science Week 2019.
Shane Bergin and Dara O'Briain doing live experiments
Performer in a colourful costume and horned headpiece posing in front of fiery background projection.
Woman looking up at a glowing blue light sculpture shaped like a plant in a nighttime forest setting.

2024

Alf the Newt takes to the streets of Dublin, engaging thousands on the urgent themes of climate change and biodiversity loss, in line with the 2024 theme of ‘Regeneration’.

2022

With the theme ‘Infinite Possibilities’, Science Week returns to in-person events. Thousands of activities take place across the country, including the spectacular BODY installation in Dublin’s Merrion Square.

2021

Science Week contributes to the national campaign ‘Creating Our Future’, which gathers over 18,000 public submissions on the future of Irish research.

2019

Science Week adopts the theme ‘Climate Action’, inspiring a nationwide tree-planting initiative.

2015

Science Week celebrates its 20th year, with the theme ‘Science Week 2.0 Design Your Future’. This year also marks the launch of the dedicated Science Week Funding Call.

2012

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) assumes responsibility for organising Science Week for the first time, with the theme ‘Everyday Experimenting’.

1996

Former state agency Forfás takes over the coordination of Science Week, beginning a 15-year tenure, with events including a speakathon organised by the Irish Research Scientists’ Association.

1995

National Science Week is launched by the Royal Dublin Society and several partner organisations to engage the public with science.

Research Ireland, through the Discover Programme, provides funding to support Science Week festivals and events that engage the public with STEM in accessible and creative ways.

Through these initiatives Research Ireland aims to broaden participation and foster meaningful, inclusive engagement during Science Week and beyond. Each year the agency seeks proposals for Science Week festivals and events through on open competitive funding programme. Applications for Science Week funding will open again in 2026.

Two adults performing a bubble making activity with two children inside a large bubble surrounded by colourful lighting.

Downloadable Resources

Visit our Downloadable Resources page to use our Science Week logos on your event.

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Five-person panel on stage with 'NEWSTALK' backdrop and 'Futureproof' screens, audience seated in front.

News and Media

Our News and Media page keeps you up to date on all things Science Week. You can find information about current news and learn more about Science Week events from the past.

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