Star-gazing and science for all the family

A range of events across the country offers activities both for children and adults

AS SUMMER goes into its final weeks (and yes, I know that is a phrase that will sink hearts everywhere), families are likely reaching the point where they are searching for something new to do that intrigues everybody, no matter the age.

What better than mixing a bit of science and technology into the activity? A range of activities and events is ongoing around the country, both for kids on their own or family groups together. Some are formally organised, but many can be done on the spur of the moment. Here are a few suggestions.

First off, at The Ark, the children’s cultural centre in Temple Bar, a summer music festival continues this month until August 21st with a number of concerts and music-oriented workshops. The centrepiece is Make Some Noise!, the free, walk-in interactive sound exhibition devised by composer Jonathan Nangle.

Children (and adults) can drop in during opening hours and create surround-sound music and lighting using iPod Touches, play a drumkit without touching it and even discover what a can of baked beans sounds like. There is a free demo session too with the composer tomorrow, but places need to be booked. See ark.ie for more information.

At the end of August, Astronomy Ireland holds its Star-B-Q on the 27th, its annual family event and fundraiser at Roundwood in the Wicklow mountains.

The hope will be for some clear skies to enable star- and planet-gazing with the dozens and dozens of powerful telescopes that will be set up on the night.

Even if it rains, though, there’s plenty to do on the evening – a barbecue, an area for kids to learn about astronomy, telescopes to look at and a number of talks. The keynote talk will be by the BBC’s The Sky at Night presenter, Paul Abel, on “Black Holes and How they Work.” Booking is recommended (and much cheaper than just arriving on the night) and there is a family ticket discount.

If you can’t make the Star-B-Q, why not head over to the Astronomy Ireland shop in Artane (soon to move to Swords) any Saturday with the kids. At 1pm they set up telescopes with special lenses that enable visitors to look directly at the sun and learn about sunspots and all things solar.

The shop is packed with books and equipment as well – plenty to explore while you consider whether it’s about time you got a family telescope. There isn’t a child on Earth who will not be absolutely thrilled by looking at the moon close up, much less more distant stars, planets and galaxies.

These days starter telescopes will automatically find the things you want to look at in the skies and cost less than a family PC. For more information, see astronomy. ie for details.

The wonderful Science Gallery, at the science end of Trinity College Dublin, has a new exhibition called Elements that is all about chemistry. As always with the gallery’s shows, this one is full of the astonishing and the unexpected.

Anyone can visit the exhibition for free, but there are heaps of fun workshops aimed at kids, teens, and of course, adults.

Just as a quick taster of what’s on – every Friday kids aged eight- 14 can join a hands-on Anyone 4 Science chemistry workshop in the school of chemistry and do things like remove the oxygen from their own breath, grow salt, make their own carbon and generally have (safe) chemical fun for only €4.

Or tomorrow, join Scientific Sue in the Gallery’s Paccar theatre for “Elements, Explosions and Excitement” – some hands-on experiments that will need a few brave volunteers from the audience. There is a family discount ticket at €20 for four people.

There are other events on all through the run of this show into September. See sciencegallery.ie for details and tickets.

For a day out, you can’t beat a visit to the science centre and telescope at Birr Castle. My own recent visit to the science and engineering oriented Deutsches Museum in Munich, where a number of exhibits referenced Birr and the astronomical discoveries made by the Earl and Countess of Rosse, was a reminder of how important this site is in the history of astronomy and Ireland’s own cultural heritage.

There are plenty of astronomical instruments to look at and also a botanic exhibit. After a visit to the centre, you can tire everyone out with a stroll around the demesne. See birrcastle.com.

Also on an astronomy theme, Blackrock Castle in Cork has an observatory that hosts open nights on the first Friday of every month, as well as star parties. There are also guided tours daily – climbing the 86 steps to the telescope rooftop is a thrill for kids.

Best of all, in August, children aged eight- 12 can attend Space Camp 2011 and learn about astronauts, Mars, comets and craters, rockets and the search for alien life. See bco.ie for details.

Finally, Anyone 4 Science may still have some places left on its final three science summer camps on August 22nd-25th in Wicklow, Thurles and Kildare.

These are aimed at five-12-year-olds and use everyday materials to demonstrate scientific principles, usually by building things kids can take home. See anyone4science. com/camps.htm for information and booking forms.