Midlands Science

09/10/2026

It’s almost so why not sign up for our event Talk to the Paw - exploring the science of cats 🐾

Explore the fascinating world of cats with Dr Clare Meade, star of RTÉ’s The Cat Hospital, and discover your little lion in a whole new way!

08/10/2026

Our evening of movies and discussion for is now almost fully booked so make sure you book a place soon if you are interested in this lovely event.

08/10/2026

As we prepare to celebrate Maths Week it is the perfect time to look at how the abstract world of mathematics shapes so many things in our lives and to remember some amazing mathematicians including Gerald Gardner from Tullamore.

Code, Quaternions, and the Midlands: Celebrating National Maths WeekOctober 8, 2026/in Uncategorized/by CelineAs we celebrate Maths Week it is the perfect time to look at how the abstract world of mathematics shapes the modern technology we use every day. Many people view maths and coding as complet...

07/10/2026

Are you ready to sing up for science in Laois ?! We will have a name that tune quiz and you might win a lovely book if you recognise the opening chords of some well known tunes 🎶

06/10/2026

Explore the latest breakthroughs in dementia and Alzheimer’s research with leading expert Professor Sean Kennelly during Science Week.

Ireland is currently facing a significant public health challenge, with 64,000 people living with dementia. Around 11,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, translating to roughly 30 people every single day. The vast majority of these individuals (63%) live at home within their local communities, supported by a network of over 180,000 family carers. While it is most common in older adults, about 10% of cases are young-onset dementia, affecting people under the age of 65. The landscape of dementia and Alzheimer's research has entered a transformative era, shifting from simply managing symptoms to halting the disease's underlying biology. This event with Professor Sean Kennelly, a leading expert in dementia, will explore this important health issue in an accessible and engaging way. This event will be chaired by Dr Craig Slattery and is presented in association with the University of the Third Age, a global movement that offers lifelong learning and social connection for retired and semi-retired people. It is supported by Research Ireland as part of national Science Week. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/brain-health-what-science-means-for-the-future-of-dementia-tickets-2001184854771?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=6a0b959f826896d088f7d098b6b59bf90db6a13a63cdabc00ff4d46ed92044cbafa1806de55eb24191160464ef6d8021a4b268a480105e6c87025512c81eee0c628945ace42afcf5682b3fdd75

06/10/2026

Join Dr Niamh Shaw for an inspiring journey to Antarctica, exploring science, penguins and the wonders of science.

It may be of local interest to note that during this trip. Niamh also found a unique way to shine a light on the forgotten stories of other, former Irish women in science. She brought along a twelve-panel quilt, made by a local Laois women’s group, honouring trailblazing women in science from Ireland’s past whose achievements, until recently, remained largely unknown.

Passionate about igniting curiosity and rekindling people’s passion for knowledge, Dr Niamh Shaw is a national treasure when it comes to creating excitement about science. Based between the International Space University campus in Strasbourg, France, USA and Ireland, Niamh holds academic qualifications from Cambridge University and University College Dublin. In 2020, she published her first book "Dream Big" from Mercier Press and has written three full-length theatre shows, some of which have toured internationally. In 2023, she travelled to the Antarctic as part of a global Women in STEM climate activism initiative, Homeward Bound. Niamh’s life ambition is to travel to the orbit of space as space communicator and educator to share this unique experience with audiences across the globe, in her uniquely human and accessible style.

An event for Science Week supported by Research Ireland. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/antarctica-adventures-with-dr-niamh-shaw-tickets-2001365923352?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=7e43d2ada41f6ebf7dddc55ed847025d74be299df60f9d73a251721b09c63a20bb84dc20df8022b4dcd294cb62f2a05411258ec052832e7df67202c34191da2c1ddcf980e4e1c6101422b29f86

06/10/2026

If you are in a book club in the midlands and you are reading one of our popular science book suggestions in November, let us know and your book club might win copies of the book you select. We also have suggestions for younger readers and let us know if a young reader in your house is interested in science and they might win a book. Book details in this flipbook link. https://online.fliphtml5.com/ydvji/science-book-club-2026/

02/10/2026

We are really delighted to be bringing All Living Things Film Festival curation to the midlands for Science Week 2026.

The movies will be exploring water in all its forms — visible and invisible, abundant and scarce, polluted and protected.
From oceans and rivers to glaciers, groundwater and the water systems that sustain our food and agriculture, these films take us around the world to encounter stories of environmental crisis, resilience, conservation and creative response. Four short films offer intimate and contrasting perspectives on our relationship with water, opening up questions that resonate far beyond the places in which they were made. The evening will bring together stories from Alaska, India, Switzerland and Iran before turning to the Dead Sea and the complex ecological and political landscape surrounding it. The evening will also include a panel discussion with Catherine Casey, the Heritage Council, Alison Hough, TUS, George Smith, Blackthorn Ecology and Aoife Doolan, Athlone Family Resource Centre. Sharing perspectives from ecology and community, this evening is a unique chance to explore the world around us and discuss what matters to us. There's also pizza and a free keep cup for everyone who attend. Places are limited at this boutique event so if you do book a place and can't attend, please let us know. This event is supported by Research Ireland

01/10/2026

The scientific study of reptiles is called herpetology, which also includes the study of amphibians. The word comes from the Ancient Greek word herpeton, meaning "creeping or crawling animal," combined with -logia, meaning "the study of". So come along to Killeigh Community Centre and learn about the science of those who creep and crawl. This unique workshop is a chance to get up close and personal with tortoises, snakes, tarantulas and much more. Who knows you may even meet Elvis, the albino python ?!

Join the Reptile Zoo in this unique workshop which is a chance to get up close and personal with tortoises, snakes, tarantulas and more.

01/10/2026

Now That's What I Call Science !! Join us for W5, Northern Ireland's Science Museum fun and interactive show - audience participation is a must !!

Witness some of science’s greatest hits as we delve into the Who, What, Where, When and Why of STEM in this fun, interactive show with plenty of volunteering opportunities. Together, we will explore scientific discoveries that have shaped the world around us and learn about the people who made them. Through a series of demonstrations, we delve into inventions like the wheel, gyroscopes and wings and explain the science of spinning, air pressure and probability

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/2002631858799?aff=oddtdtcreator