Midlands Science

In the past year almost 1,000 young people across the midlands took part in Making Sense With Science, a new programme we developed with support from the RTE Toy Show Appeal/Community Foundation of Ireland.

This programme pilot is now being expanded with additional funding. It will continue to empower students to develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to advocate for and to understand evidence. A range of issues are explored in this programme such as health, climate change and others and we also explore traditional media and social media.

Whether a student is considering a future career in science or communications or are interested in how science will affect their lives in the future, this is a great opportunity to explore a range of issues and build their critical thinking skills. This programme is suitable as a TY micro-module which promotes a concentrated learning experience. To register your schools interest in hosting free workshops over the coming year please email [email protected]

Glasses, colander, action!!!

tell us where in the midlands you are watching the eclipse this evening and send us a photo of where you are and you could win a 200 Euro Easons voucher - handy for back to school !! We will pick a winner on Friday :)

On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, people across Ireland will have the chance to witness one of nature’s most spectacular sights: a deep partial solar eclipse. Here in the Irish Midlands, the evening sky will provide the stage for this remarkable astronomical event. Weather permitting, the Sun will gradually turn into a brilliant crescent as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. With our open countryside, boglands, lakes and wide horizons, the Midlands could be a particularly lovely place to experience it. You won’t need a telescope or an observatory — just somewhere with a good view towards the western sky and, most importantly, proper eclipse glasses. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow towards Earth. One of the strangest facts about eclipses is that the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, but it is also roughly 400 times farther away. That’s why, from our perspective on Earth, the two can appear almost exactly the same size in the sky.

https://www.midlandsscience.ie/midlands-science-activities-for-biodiversity-week-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/?fbclid=IwZnRzaATn2H5wZG9mAWZkaWQWUMRCKus6EndjfDExVWkjfA5RWCg3mGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7ahQtoPGndccjiTczvWGTjeuwR6LhDJU4YxD_-zd3pDjlbs9RQolCIjN6tjQ_aem_8PNTt5pbHsXZi3qd-1JzqA

Delighted to be part of NeuroArt Family Festival Portlaoise this year. Details and booking on this link.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/neuroart-family-festival-portlaoise-tickets-1989764061872?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleATT_wdwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABpx2N8iBfpf0PjgOl9m9_jX0W2qGxm2tefHiY3mIxADFwAv-Oy_WMvoJnnb_s_aem_06Iejle-CMk0Z-a1RQ4zOw&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3

NeuroArt Family Festival Portlaoise Come & join us for a range of colourful events for all the family

Congrats to Midlands Science Chairperson Dr Craig Slattery who has been appointed to the new Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). He will provide expert advice to the FSAI on key food science and technology and biological safety issues over his five-year appointment period. The primary purpose of this scientific committee is to ensure that Ireland’s food safety and nutrition policies are underpinned by sound scientific risk assessment for public health.
Membership of the Scientific Committee comprises 15 independent experts from across Ireland who are appointed by the Minister of Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Happy Friday - we’ve had a lot of fun these past few weeks sharing science with children across the midlands and we are looking forward to some summer science activities with partners.

In 2026, Midlands Science celebrated 25 years of stem outreach in the midlands, reaching 168,501 people directly with a range of activities from astronomy to zoology. As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, it hosted an interview with Dr Mike Ryan who is known globally for his work in public health through his international work with the World Health Organisation. A strong voice for science and the power of engaging with science. You can watch the full interview here - https://youtu.be/FFCOy2WrPG8?si=wdc1UCfPMgvTjzoU

Latest edition of the science communications podcast The Observer Effect where Jackie from Midlands Science talked with Dr Shane Bergin about science communications, communities, poetry, disinformation and lots more. https://lnkd.in/dGW5mSYx

https://open.spotify.com/episode/764GwmL1Eh5FYyYHpjzktU?si=0Mqwv3AXTP-vYgQM7FK62A

Midlands Science: Jackie Gorman on what poetry can teach us about community engagement The Observer Effect: Conversations with Researchers · Episode