Science Week

Science Week is a celebration of science in our everyday lives, taking place each November.

Science Week 2026 will take place from 8th to 15th November

In 2026, Science Week celebrates the theme Water.

Science Week 2026 invites people across Ireland to explore the vital role water plays in our lives, our society, our environment and our future. From the science of rivers, lakes, seas and rainfall to the research and innovation helping us understand, protect and sustainably manage this precious resource, this year’s theme highlights how deeply water connects us all.

Together, we will celebrate curiosity, collaboration and discovery, and consider how science can help us care for water today, for the communities, ecosystems and generations of tomorrow. Stay tuned to our website for the announcement of the full programme in the coming months.

Science Week is managed by Research Ireland.

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Past Highlights

Nighttime urban scene with people walking beneath a large illuminated moon installation suspended between tall buildings.

Museum of the Moon - 2025

by Luke Jerram

During Science Week 2025, in Merrion Square, Luke Jerram's spectacular Museum of the Moon was held! This seven metre diameter model of the moon was accompanied by a programme of captivating performances.

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Street parade at night featuring performers wearing straw costumes and playing drums. Bright lights and smoke effects create a festive atmosphere, with buildings and a crowd visible in the background.

Macnas @ Marina Marina Market - 2025

Renowned Spectacle theatre company Macnas returned for Science Week 2025, making their Cork premiere at Marina Market. Through their signature bold visuals and thought-provoking storytelling, audiences were told a powerful story with the theme of biodiversity loss.

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Solaris - 2024

During Science Week 2024, a brand-new creative project from the collective Axolotl, 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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Large glowing Newt float in a nighttime street parade with performers and crowd.

Turas Alf / Alf’s Journey – 2024

For Science Week 2024, Alf, a giant puppet of a Smooth Newt was 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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Two people in a foggy corridor facing each other, with 'BODY' illuminated in the background.

Body – 2022

BODY was a captivating outdoor installation that brought human biology to life through a fusion of light, sound, and fire, at Science Week 2022. Created by renowned UK pyrotechnics and theatre company Walk the Plank, this immersive experience invites audiences to explore the wonders of the human body in a truly unforgettable way.

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Events

Visit our calendar to see what's on in your area!

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Submit

Submit details of your event to be added to our calendar

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Two children stand beside a skeleton in a lab coat in a library. One wears a 'CHILL OUT' shirt and silver trousers; the other has a yellow sweatshirt and pink headphones.

Schools

Find out about our Primary and Secondary School activities!

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30 Years of Science Week

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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