45 free events at Cork's Carnival of Science this weekend

CORK Carnival of Science is back at Fitzgerald Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, ed by Cork City Council and Science Foundation Ireland.

As you can imagine, it is no small feat to turn the 12 acres site at Fitzgerald Park in the city into a pop-up science festival overnight. It takes a lot of behind the scenes planning in of logistics and buy in from the local scientific community.

There is also the detailed task of creating a high-quality programme of events to inform, educate and entertain during the two days of the festival.

I am proud to be part of the Cork Carnival of Science team at Cork City Council together with the Old Cork Waterworks Experience and we are on track to deliver over 45 free science-based activities in the Park again this June.

Curious kids and fun-loving families are invited to explore, investigate, experiment, and discover the wonders of science from 11am to 6pm on both days.

I am delighted to engage with all our stakeholders again this year and there is a huge appetite for family-based science activities. The age of 3 to 9 years old are the key times to get children interested in science, using their natural curiosity to create a lifelong fascination with the subject. I decided to become a scientist thanks to a gift of a microscope from Santa one year!

Cork is uniquely fortunate to have its very own FREE festival weekend that showcases science, technology, engineering and maths (which are known as the STEM subjects). Last year’s festival attracted more than 25,000 people which demonstrates the high level of interest from the public in science engagement events like this. 

The interactive aspect of the Carnival of Science is unique and so child friendly and fun, plus there is plenty of interesting discovery opportunities for grownups too. 

Yet again families can look forward to a packed line-up of live science shows in circus style tents, with an array of colourful walk-about scientific entertainers roaming the park, and row after row of hands-on workshops, and interactive STEM experiences that will amaze and inspire!

Once you enter the Fitzgerald Park, you will be guided on your scientific adventure along mapped routes including ‘Exploration Avenue’, ‘Innovation Way’ and ‘Discovery Drive’. Each of these routes will host workshops and interactive experiences where you can try out many activities from extracting DNA to Cubetto coding for toddlers, working mini robots, making your own battery, learning the Bee Dance, and even walking through your digestive system, literally!

This year’s theme will look at climate and the natural world through a scientific lens. We aim to showcase the scientific wonders of the world around us and learn more about the need to act now to protect it. 

We have made a big effort to build on our Greening of the Carnival initiatives over the past few years, working with traders and suppliers to reduce their climate impact. People are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle to refill with our onsite drinking water and bring their favourite reusable cup for tea or coffee or hot chocolate. 

All our food trucks are local to the Cork area. We will also offer a bicycle valet service for those who travel actively.

We are also cognisant of accessibility to ensure enjoyment for all and in consultation with the Deaf Community in Cork, provision has been made to ensure for sign language interpretation at live show performances. We are preserving a “Quiet Zone” near the Skygarden if anyone needs a break from the excitement of the event and to enjoy the natural beauty of this river side park.

The highlight of the Carnival of Science will be the seated live science shows taking place every hour on three stages at the main Show Marquee and two Circus Tops. They really capture that exciting carnival feel and your enthusiastic participation is most welcome.

We have some superb headline acts including Scientific Sue will use her drama skills to entertain and educate about weather and climate change during The Devastatingly Dramatic Climate Show; W5 will demonstrate “Now that’s what I call Science” in an interactive show of science’s greatest hits; and RTÉs Home School Hub Scientists Dr Stephen Davitt and Phil Smyth take us through the Air Force.

Also included in the extensive programme will be things like an interactive dinosaur experience, mini petting zoo, games and puzzles, active sports zone, ‘Stardome’ inflatable planetarium, a host of interactive stands provided by leaders in the science engagement field and professional research bodies as well as food stalls and live entertainment.

My top tip for those planning to come along on Saturday 8th or Sunday 9th of June would be to make sure to scan our QR code map and electronic festival brochure on arrival, this will include all the key zones of Fitzgerald’s Park with the festival attractions laid out alongside the key what, where and when details of shows, workshops, and demonstrations to check out throughout the weekend.

If you are looking for more details about what to expect see www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-carnival-of-science/ or stay tuned to social media updates from @corkcitycouncilofficial