From forests to the future

Tipperary Festival of Science 2025

As part of Science Week 2025 - taking place across Ireland from November 9-16 - the Tipperary Festival of Science returns for its ninth year, celebrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) under the theme ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow’.

Sponsored by Research Ireland, Mary Immaculate College (MIC), and the Irish American Partnership, and held in collaboration with the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Thurles and Tipperary County Council Library Service, the festival continues to promote curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning in STEM. Each year, the festival attracts thousands of participants of all ages to venues across the county and online, offering accessible fun and engaging opportunities to explore the importance of STEM in everyday life.

This year’s flagship event, the Community Science Day, will take place on Saturday, November 15, at MIC Thurles.

The event will include hands-on STEM workshops from the MIC CRAFT Maker Space, alongside interactive demonstrations, science magic shows, book readings, LEGO challenges, and kite-making sessions designed to inspire curiosity and creativity among participants of all ages.

A week-long programme of activities will take place throughout Tipperary, including the Connected Innovation Event at TUS Thurles on November 6, which will showcase best practices and opportunities emerging from research and development initiatives across communities and industry. Local libraries across the county will host events such as Guided Forest Meditation, The Evolution of Sports Nutrition, and CRAFT Maker Activities, ensuring there is something for everyone interested in STEM.

Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise and Community Engagement Manager at MIC, said: “This year marks the ninth Tipperary Festival of Science, and we are delighted once again to be at the heart of its coordination together with our partners in TUS and the Tipperary Library Service. The festival has grown into a cornerstone of Science Week in the region, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in meaningful, enjoyable experiences with science. The 2025 programme brings together schools, communities, and partners across the county to explore the theme 'Then. Today. Tomorrow' through creativity, innovation, and collaboration.”

Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise and Community Engagement at MIC, added: “Since its inception in 2017, the Tipperary Festival of Science has transformed how people engage with STEM across the county. Each year, the festival brings thousands of children, families, and adults together to experience science in fun and memorable ways. This year’s theme highlights the evolution of science from the past to the present and its potential for shaping the future. We look forward to another exciting week of discovery and inspiration.”

FURTHER DETAILS

All events are free and open to members of the public. For a full list of the Tipperary Festival of Science events, visit www.mic.ul.ie/mic-insights/tipperary-festival-of-science-2025-public-events

For more information, check out the Tipperary Festival of Science Facebook and Instagram page.