How water enhances the flavour of wine, the soothing impact of sand art and the science behind weather forecasting and crime scene investigating are among the mysteries to be unravelled at scores of free and ticketed events running as part of this year’s South East Science Festival programme across Waterford, Carlow and Tipperary’s Suir Valley over the coming days.
The much-anticipated Festival runs from this coming Saturday, November 7, to Sunday 15th and is the regional celebration of national Science Week. This year’s Festival theme is ‘Water: From Molecule to Ocean’ and the free programme offers a range of opportunities for members of the public from primary school level to families to adult only audiences to engage with all things science, technology, engineering and maths, STEM, in a fun and engaging way.
Each year, the South East Science Festival brings top scientists and STEM presenters from Ireland and abroad to the region for practical, informative and engaging events in museums, theatres, libraries, sports halls, heritage centres and so much more. Festival favourites Mark Langtry, Caroline Ainslie and Ken Farquhar are all back by popular demand.
This year’s theme is ‘Water: From Molecule to Ocean’ and among the dozens of presenters exploring all things water are award-winning environmental artist, Sean Corcoran, who is hosting an event on a beach and in his coastal studio on Waterford’s stunning Copper Coast.
Morgan VanderKamer’s not-to-be-missed ‘Water into Wine’ event at Union restaurant lifts the lid on the influence of water used to make on the final flavour. Places are also expected to book up quickly for multiple award-winning filmmaker Dónal Ó Céilleachair’s screening of Camino Voyage. It features a crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason who embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves on an inspiring, and dangerous, 2,500 km modern day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.
Lecturers and researchers from SETU will also take centre stage and they will discuss the cutting edge research taking place in the University at events throughout the South East Science Festival.
The carefully curated, free programme for South East Science Festival has something for all ages, from pre-schoolers to retirement groups and everything in between. It includes a wide variety of events involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout the three counties. All the events throughout the South East Science Festival are coordinated by Calmast, the South East Technological University’s STEM engagement centre, with support from Research Ireland which is running Science Week on a national scale.
Speaking ahead of this year’s festival, multi award-winning Calmast Director, Dr Sheila Donegan, said: “Today, researchers across Ireland are deepening our understanding of water in all its forms – from its role in everyday life and the natural world, to its importance in biodiversity, climate resilience, conservation, health, food, energy and innovation.
“Throughout the South East Science Festival and across three counties we will celebrate curiosity, collaboration and discovery in the heart of our communities and along our rugged coastline and see how science can help us care for water today and for generations yet to come.”
