Cats, Teddy Bears and Antartica – Science Week in the Midlands!!

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Science Week takes place from November 8th to 15th; it is a national celebration of science and a chance for people of all ages to engage with science in everyday life. A range of activities are taking place across the midlands this year with Midlands Science, supported by Research Ireland.
Activities include workshops and activities for young children and families, the return of the popular Teddy Bears Hospital with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and amazing space science shows with BAFTA award winning Simon Watt. Professor Sean Kennelly will be exploring the science behind dementia, and this event is presented in association with the University of the Third Age, an international movement dedicated to life-long learning for people in their retirement years.

Dermatologist Dr Olwyn Conlon be talking about all things science and skincare and you may learn you don’t need as many skin products as you think. The popular Bohemian Strings return for a series of concerts with Dr Claire O’Connell, through a range of popular tunes, they will explore the science of music. Dr Clare Meade who is known from her work on the RTE Show The Cat Hospital will talking about cats and science, helping us all to understand the little lions in our living room a bit more. Dr Niamh Shaw will be sharing stories from her travels in Antartica and if you fancy some pop-up science, you’ll find Dr Dan Nikstrom undertaking all sorts of science experiments in a shopping centre near you. There has been a welcome increase in discussion about the menopause in recent years and Midlands Science is delighted to have leading menopause expert Dr Deirdre Forde separated the facts from the fiction during Science Week.

In a first for the festival this year, an event for adults in Irish will be presented in Athlone with popular broadcaster Eanna Ní Lamhna. Tá Éanna Ní Lamhna ar dhuine de na daoine poiblí is mó cáil in Éirinn, go háirithe mar bhitheolaí, mar chomhairleoir comhshaoil agus fiadhúlra, mar láithreoir raidió agus teilifíse, mar údar agus mar oideachasóir. Is údar í Éanna ar roinnt leabhar móréileamh faoin bhfiadhúlra, atá dírithe ar léitheoirí óga agus ar dhaoine fásta araon. Cuirtear an ócáid speisialta seo do Sheachtain na hEolaíochta i láthair i gcomhar le Gaeltacht Átha Luain, le tacaíocht ó Thaighde Éireann. Déanfar iniúchadh ar an mbithéagsúlacht in Éirinn ag an imeacht, agus béim ar leith á cur ar réigiún lár na tíre. Beidh an ócáid seo ar siúl trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Science Week has water as a theme this year, exploring water at every scale as an essential building block of life on earth and a powerful force that shapes our planet. Midlands Science will premiere online during Science Week a short documentary exploring water in the midlands. This documentary was developed by young participants in My Life Online, a training programme supported by the Rethink Ireland TikTok Digital Future Fund.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented “Science Week is an amazing opportunity to engage with science and appreciate the seminal role it plays in all of our lives and indeed in our culture. We are living through a time where so much disinformation is circulating on issues from the environment to health online, so we consider it really important we can provide opportunities for people to engage with scientists directly and in person. Whether you are interested in polar exploration, skin care, biodiversity or music, we have an event for you. I would encourage everyone to engage with Science Week this year and bring your curiosity, you won’t be disappointed!!”

More information about the work of Midlands Science can be found on www.midlandsscience.ie and events for Science Week will be open for booking from late September.

When Daylight Fades: A Solar Eclipse over Ireland’s Midlands

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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. During a partial eclipse, there are some fun effects to look out for here on the ground too. Sunlight passing through small gaps between the leaves of trees can act like hundreds of tiny pinhole cameras, projecting little crescent-shaped images of the Sun onto paths and walls. You may even notice the landscape beginning to look different as the sunlight fades, something that could be especially atmospheric across the bogs, fields and lakes of the Midlands.

For most of human history, people didn’t have astronomical predictions telling them exactly when an eclipse would arrive. The sudden darkening of the Sun could therefore be frightening and it inspired some extraordinary folklore. In ancient China, eclipses were sometimes associated with a dragon devouring the Sun. Norse mythology told of the wolf Sköll, who chased the Sun across the sky, while Hindu tradition associates eclipses with Rahu, who attempts to swallow the Sun or Moon. Closer to home, the Sun held enormous importance in the lives of Ireland’s early inhabitants. Ancient monuments around Ireland show how carefully people observed the changing position of the Sun through the seasons. Here in the Midlands, archaeological landscapes and ancient sites are reminders that people have been looking upwards and wondering about the heavens for thousands of years. We may understand the astronomy differently today, but standing beneath a fading Sun can still give us a glimpse of the awe our ancestors must have felt.

Remember never look directly at the Sun during a partial eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses aren’t enough. Use certified solar eclipse glasses or watch indirectly with something like a pinhole projector. You should never look directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse without proper eye protection because it can permanently damage your retina.During an eclipse, the Sun may feel less bright because the Moon covers part of it. That makes it easier to stare for longer, but the uncovered portion still sends extremely intense light into your eyes. This can cause solar retinopathy, damage to the light-sensitive cells at the back of your eye. It can produce blurred vision, blind spots, distorted vision, or permanent vision loss, and the damage can happen without pain because the retina has no pain receptors. The important exception is during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Sun’s bright surface is completely covered. Only then is viewing without eclipse glasses considered safe. As soon as any bright part of the Sun reappears, eye protection must go back on. For partial or annular eclipses, use genuine ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or an indirect viewing method such as a pinhole projector. Ordinary sunglasses even very dark ones are not safe.

Eclipses have also provided writers with a wonderfully dramatic symbol.In Shakespeare’s King Lear, Gloucester speaks anxiously about the “late eclipses in the sun and moon”, reflecting an age when unusual events in the heavens could be interpreted as warnings of trouble on Earth. Mark Twain took a rather different approach in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. His time-travelling hero knows that an eclipse is coming and uses his scientific knowledge to convince people in medieval England that he has extraordinary powers. It’s a great illustration of how our relationship with eclipses has changed: what once seemed supernatural can now be predicted with extraordinary precision. But understanding the science doesn’t make an eclipse any less magical.

So, on the evening of 12 August, if the famously unpredictable Irish clouds give us a break, find yourself a good view of the western sky. Whether you’re beside the Shannon, looking across the lakes of Westmeath, standing near the Slieve Blooms or watching from your own back garden, it will be a chance to see our place in the Solar System demonstrated right above our heads.

Midlands Science Celebrates 25 Years of Inspiring Curiosity with Science

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Midlands Science has marked 25 years of transforming how people across the midlands region engage with science, celebrating a legacy that has reached more than 168,000 people and helped make science more accessible, inclusive and relevant to everyday life. This work is delivered across Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

The milestone was celebrated at the National Science Park in Mullingar, bringing together supporters, partners and members of the scientific community to reflect on the organisation’s impact and its growing role in an era increasingly shaped by misinformation and rapid technological change.

For a quarter of a century, Midlands Science has created opportunities for people of all ages to develop their curiosity, confidence and understanding of science. Through festivals, public events, school programmes and community initiatives, the organisation has brought internationally renowned figures to the region, including Dr Mary Guinan, who played a leading role in the eradication of smallpox, and Leena Gade, the first female engineer to lead a team to victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Midlands Science has also been a pioneer in inclusive science engagement, leading developments in accessibility practices such as sensory-friendly events and the use of Plain English to ensure science is open and accessible to all. It has also shared its practice with others including at EU level through a series of research papers shared at EUSEA, Europe’s leading platform for science communications. It has received awards for its work from the Naughton Foundation, the Social Innovation Fund of Ireland, local authorities, and others. In 2022, CEO Jackie Gorman received the Science Foundation Ireland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science Communications in Ireland. Supported by a diverse range of public, private and philanthropic funders, the organisation continues to expand its reach and impact across the Midlands.

Speaking at the event, Midlands Science CEO Jackie Gorman, highlighted the growing importance of science communication in modern society.

“When we started this work 25 years ago, the focus was rightly on encouraging young people to engage with science and helping to make science more accessible and inclusive. Today, while that remains vital, the role of science communications has become even more important in a way we could not have fully anticipated. The rise of misinformation and disinformation is having profound implications for society, influencing everything from climate action and public health to trust in institutions. Science communications are no longer simply about education; it is about helping people navigate an increasingly complex world and ensuring that evidence, critical thinking and informed decision-making remains part of public life. Science is not separate from society or culture. It shapes our lives every day and helping people engage with it confidently has never been more important.”

The event celebrating 25 years included a wide-ranging interview with Dr Mike Ryan who is known globally for his work with the World Health Organisation. He reflected on his work responding to a range of global health emergencies including Covid 19. Dr Ryan reflected on the importance of public trust, evidence-based decision-making, and effective communications about science in addressing the challenges facing society today. He was interviewed by Midlands Science Chairperson, Dr Craig Slattery who is from County Offaly and based in the Conway Institute, UCD where he is engaged in a range of science communications and research projects at national level.

The event also showcased the next generation of scientific talent emerging from the region. Attendees heard from researcher Kate Duffy who is from Athlone. She had taken part in a wide range of Midlands Science activities over the years and now her groundbreaking PhD research into cancer is contributing to advances in our understanding of the disease. This highlights the world-class scientific expertise developing among the next generation of Midlands young people and the impact of science communications in society. A number of students who are interested in further studies and careers in science attended the event from Loreto College, Mullingar and had the chance to have some discussion with Dr Mike Ryan in which he encouraged them to consider the positive impact they could make in the world through science.

As Midlands Science looks to the future, the organisation remains committed to ensuring that science is accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyone, while continuing to contribute to the positioning the Midlands as a region where curiosity and discovery can thrive.

The Science of Christmas

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and there’s so much science to explore with Christmas. Santa Claus’s bright red coat and white fur trimmings may be in honour of the white-speckled, red-capped mushroom we know so well from fairy tales. Freshly picked fly agaric [Amanita muscaria] contains ibotenic acid, which converts to muscimol when the mushroom is dried. This is a powerful hallucinogen, which interacts with receptors in the brain resulting in hallucinations.

In the past, Shamans of the tribes that herd reindeer in Siberia and Lapland would collect the mushrooms and carefully prepare them to optimise the mind-enhancing properties – and minimise the other dangerous toxins within the mushroom (of which there are several). At that time, the shamans believed they could use the mushrooms to travel to the spirit realm in search of answers to local problems, such as a sudden outbreak of illness. The effect of the muscimol gave the impression of flying out through the chimney of the shaman’s abode and travelling to the spirit world where they could seek advice. Muscimol passes through the body relatively unchanged which means that the shaman’s urine also had potent hallucinogenic properties. Reindeer happening upon these patches of yellow snow left by the shaman might well jump and skip around in the snow, off their antlers on mind-altering drugs. Perhaps, even, as they jumped up in the air, the sun in the northern regions would be low in the sky, silhouetting them in a characteristic flying pose. Clothing is another Christmas link to consider, since the shamans dressed in red and white clothes and to protect themselves from the snow they used large reindeer leather boots that over time turned black.

Oh and don’t forget you can track Santa using the Santa Norad tracker !! https://www.noradsanta.org/

Stranger Things Science

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There is a small town right next to a mysterious lab and portals to another world. Of course, it’s “Stranger Things”, the hit series set in 1980’s Indiana. A group of young people discover supernatural forces and secret government activity, Russians and much more. Along the way, these young people discover psychokinetic powers and go the Upside Down, an alternate dimension accessed through a portal. As well as being highly entertaining, it provides a great opportunity to explore some real science as the show does include real science concepts like parallel dimensions, sensory deprivation, and the potential for hive minds. These are often explained through analogies in the show. The series also draws from real-world historical events and scientific theories, such as the government experiments of Project MKUltra and the physics of quantum mechanics.

The Upside Down isn’t the most hospitable place to live. The demogorgon can be compared to some of the peculiar and scary creatures found in deep oceans. They have evolved to live in their environment, with little oxygen or food and there on sunlight. In such places in the ocean, there are bioluminescent or transparent fish and seaworms, giant spider crabs, vampire squid and anglerfish.

In “Stranger Things,” Hawkins Middle School science teacher Scott Clarke tells the story of a famous neuroscience patient, Phineas Gage. He was a 25 year old foreman of a railroad crew in 1848. A tamping rod ripped through his left cheek, brain and skull and he survived. He lost his left eye and his personality and it was the first recorded case of brain trauma being linked with personality change. This story links well with the Mindflayer creature in the series. He uses a character Will as a spy, taking over his brain until he no longer knows who he is.

Project MKUltra is a good real life link to the show’s Hawkins National Laboratory and the experiments conducted there. The real-life CIA experiments of Project MKUltra involved mind control and psychotropic drugs. CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb headed up the agency’s secret programme, which was charged with developing a mind control drug that could be weaponized against enemies. In 1977, a Freedom of Information Act request uncovered a cache of 20,000 documents relating to MKUltra, which led to Senate hearings. Some surviving information about MKUltra was declassified in 2001.

Are there parallel universes in real life? Theoretically, yes. String Theory, a theory in quantum physics tries to explain the existence of the multiverse — multiple parallel universes. Recent discoveries in physics explore the idea that our universe may be one of many universes in a greater multiverse, and String Theory, which attempts to link two seemingly irreconcilable yet fundamental theories of physics — Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and quantum mechanics — does so by basically admitting the possibility of multiple dimensions. “String theory smooths out the mathematical inconsistencies that currently exist between quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity. It proposes that the entire universe can be explained in terms of very tiny strings that vibrate in 10 or 11 dimensions — meaning dimensions we can’t see. If they exist, this could explain literally everything in the universe — from subatomic particles to the laws of speed and gravity. Maybe nothing is stranger than reality and science.

There are lots of scientific prompts in “Stranger Things “— so when you start the much-anticipated fifth season, watch out for them, do some research, and unlock the show’s unexpected benefit of being a portal into science.

Midlands Science Receives Award From SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund

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Midlands Science, a leading science outreach organization, has received funding from the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund. It is one of 56 projects to be awarded support across the island of Ireland through the fund.

Midlands Science reaches over 16,000 people directly per annum across the four midlands counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. It provides engaging and educational access to science for people of all ages and backgrounds. From pre-school children to active age groups and everyone in between, it provides a meaningful way for people to engage with science. This work has a positive impact in terms of creating more interest in science and creating a sense of active citizenship in communities and helping people to make more informed choices about everything from climate change to health.
Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented; “Midlands Science has many years of experience providing quality science outreach in the midlands region. We’ve seen engagement in that work grow year on year and the impact which this work has. We’ve seen more people come to understand that science isn’t just about school or jobs, it’s about how we live, the choices we make every day. Science is a core part of sustainability, as engagement with science is vital for the green transition we are all currently working towards in society. The support of the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund is a key support for us in building programmes which bring science and sustainability together in a way that will be meaningful for all participants.”

More information about the work of Midlands Science can be found on www.midlandsscience.ie

The Science of Superman

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We are all very excited by the new Superman movie and indeed Superdog!! But, have you ever thought about the science of Superman ?

Superman was born on the planet Krypton and was sent to Earth in a rocket built by his father Jor-el, who was a scientist and predicted that Krypton was going to explode. Why this was going to happen is never fully explained and there’s no natural reason that could explain this. Maybe Krypton’s orbit around its sun had begun to decline and it was reaching what is know as the Roche Limit, a point about 2.4 times higher than the radius of the central body (in this case the star) at which point gravity tears the orbiting body (in this case Krypton) apart.

We are told that Krypton orbits a red star. The closest such star is Gacrux, the third-brightest star in the southern constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. It is 88 light years [or 528 trillion miles] away. This means even travelling as fast as he was, Superman in a rocket from Krypton would take 1.2 million years to reach Earth !!

His super powers we are told come from the effect of a yellow sun on a person born under a re sun and also from the lighter gravitational pull of the Earth, which helps him to fly. We know that the light of a red sun has a very different electromagnetic profile from that of a yellow sun. The main effect would be on plants, which would be a different colour [red or yellow or dusky white] to make the best use of the available light. Humans and animals on Earth have adapted to the relatively high ultraviolet output of a yellow sun. Superman, born under a lower UV red sun would have not such protection and would probably blister and burn.

Also life in a place with lighter gravity would not be easy, Superman might feel more buoyant but coming from a place where he adapted to a higher gravity feel, over time his bones would decalcify and his joints and muscles would degenerate and atrophy.

But in happier science news, let’s talk about Krypto, the caped companion we all didn’t’ know we needed. Krypto is the product of CGI – computer generated imagery. This means he was created by using computer software. CGI is a broad term encompassing a wide range of applications, from creating entire animated movies to adding subtle enhancements to live-action films. CGI can be 2D or 3D, static or dynamic, and is used in various media like movies, video games, and simulations. 

Look, up it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman but always look up for science!!

Living and Learning Online

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For the past year, Midlands Science has been promoting engagement with STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] with groups of young people whilst also building their capacity to be creative and accurate content creators online. Supported by the TikTok Digital Future Fund which was created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with TikTok, workshops entitled “My Life Online” allow young people to learn about a variety of topics in science, technology, engineering and maths. They also get hands on experience in creating online content using professional equipment and working with filming and communications specialists. The programme was developed by Midlands Science and training is delivered by Dr Dan Nickström and  Slawek Bracki of Apple Tart Productions.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented ; “ we are all increasingly living and learning online and it’s really important we take ownership of our choices and become active consumers and creators in this process. This project has allowed us to encourage new audiences to engage with science and also show their engagement through channels such as TikTok. It’s all about communication and building more engagement and encouraging creativity and with the popularly of TikTok’s dedicated STEM feed, this is an obvious channel for us to engage with as we build communication and STEM awareness with young people.”

The first of the 2025 workshops took place last week in Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone where 30 young people signed up to explore everything from scriptwriting to film editing. In their hands on science experiences, they got to try everything from making copper wire and magnets work together to create movement to wearing laser glasses to simulate how bees see flowers and different colours. The combination of STEM and digital media skills is also complimented by awareness of safety and wellness online and becoming discerning consumers of information, encouraging young people to ask for evidence. As Carl Sagan said, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”

Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Rethink Ireland commented ; “”at Rethink Ireland, we are dedicated to unlocking the potential of young people, regardless of their background. Together with our partner TikTok, we are thrilled to support Midlands Science’s ‘My Life Online’ workshops through the TikTok Digital Future Fund. By combining STEM education with hands-on digital media experience, Midlands Science is not only building a community that values science but also ensuring that the next generation is equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”

Further workshops will take place in Athlone and Tullamore in July and August of this year and more details will be available on www.midlandsscience.ie

Making an Early Start with Science

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Miles Donnelly checks out what Oisin Lennon is doing at an Early Start Science workshop – he’s making a lava lamp !!

Over the past number of months, Midlands Science has been piloting a new science outreach project “Early Start Science.” This brings science and exploration to pre-school children in the midlands and the initial pilot is supported by The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund.

Using fun activities such as making lava lamps with items you’d find at home like vinegar, oil and food colouring or exploring the power of magnets, children can build their confidence and curiosity with science from a young age. The project is also developing a range of free resources for doing science at home with young children which will be available online to download.

According to Siobhán Gallagher, Executive Director, The Ireland Funds ;” The Ireland Funds is proud to support the Early Start Science initiative and continue our longstanding partnership with Midlands Science. Over the years, we’ve witnessed their unwavering commitment to inspiring young minds and the real impact of their work across the Midlands. This project is a powerful example of how early, hands-on experiences can spark a lifelong passion for learning and discovery.” 

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science commented ; “children are curious and creative from a very young age, and it seems like a great time to introduce children to the wonders of science.   As a discipline, science is something which values asking endless questions. We all know that this is something that young children are pretty good at!!”

Last week, participants in the project from Right Start Montessori in Kiltoom had some workshops and had some visitors from The Ireland Funds who spoke with the children about their experience and filmed the project in action. Marion Mulkearn-Colgan, owner of Right Start Montessori was delighted to have the local Montessori school take part  ;”having the opportunity to introduce young children to science from such a young age is a really valuable opportunity and early exposure to activities such as this benefits children in so many ways in years to come.”

Midlands Science runs a wide range of free science outreach projects all year around with schools and groups and it is supported by a variety of funders. More information about its work can be found on www.midlandsscience.ie