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MIC, UL, and TUS Partner to Bring STEM to Life at the 2024 Limerick Festival of Science

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Beth Keatley age 7 from Lisnagry Limerick is shown some Chemistry Magic as part of the University of Limericks Science Week. MIC, UL, and TUS Partner to Bring STEM to Life at the 2024 Limerick Festival of Science. Pic. Brian Arthur

Limerick Festival of Science 2024 sees third-level educators in Limerick collaborate to promote STEM for young learners this Science Week

Limerick Festival of Science 2024 sees third-level educators in Limerick collaborate to promote STEM for young learners this Science Week
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD with Student of An Mhodh Scoil, Lucy Ryan pictured at the Regeneron Future Scientist Exhibition at Mary Immaculate College CRAFT Maker Space proudly supported by Regeneron. Pic. Brian Arthur

The Department of STEM Education in Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has collaborated with the University of Limerick (UL), and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) to bring the Limerick Festival of Science 2024 to audiences across Limerick and Clare.

The festival will run in venues across Limerick city and county, as well as county Clare throughout the month of November. This year’s festival, following the national Science Week theme of ‘Regeneration’ will present a range of activities and experiences to celebrate the role of science and STEM in the lives of people in the Midwest region. The Limerick Festival of Science is funded by Science Foundation Ireland and part of Ireland’s Science Week (10-17 November 2024).

This year, events organised by the STEM Department in MIC will take place across two weeks in November. Teaching Fellow in STEM Education, Mairead Ryan, who coordinates the Limerick Festival of Science in Mary Immaculate College said she is delighted to launch such a broad programme of events.


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She said, “The participation of staff and students across the MIC community is much appreciated, as this has helped to develop the diversity of events for public engagement, as well as the variety of interactive workshops for primary school and secondary school pupils in the coming weeks.”

Grace O Sullivan age 6 from Monaleen NS meets Pedro the Harris Hawk as part of the University of Limericks Science Week. Pic. Brian Arthur

The Head of the Department of STEM Education, Prof. Aisling Leavy, added: “The success of the events this week are evidence of the close partnership between Mary Immaculate College and the broader community. Every year, it is a privilege to provide high-quality STEM activities and experiences for adults and children onsite at MIC and in local primary schools. It is wonderful to see children exploring, reasoning and generally enjoying science and mathematics. This week would not be possible without the generosity and interest of our colleagues in the faculties of Arts and Education at MIC, the STEM Education faculty and our student teachers;their enthusiasm and initiative ensures that all children have positive experiences of themselves as STEM-learners.”

As part of the festival, a number interactive workshops and shows for primary schools as well as the general public will be hosted in venues throughout the city and county and extending into neighbouring county Clare, exploring science and engineering, women in STEM, wildlife and biodiversity and plenty more. Some highlights include The Creepy Crawlie Love/Hate Exhibition in the Hunt Museum, Limerick city, where visitors will learn about the fascinating world of bugs and their crucial roles in our biodiversity and daily lives, and Strong Women Science Show, a Circus show for school pupils ages 4 to 15, featuring women scientists turned circus performers.

Kristine O Dwyer with Aileen Albaghdadi age 4 pictured at Physics Busking in Limerick City Market , a Demonstration of Physics to the Community by UL PHD Students as part of the University of Limericks Science Week. Pic. Brian Arthur
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