Now in its sixth year, Science Week Ireland has grown to include hundreds of interesting science events, which take place in centres right across the State.
Venues include the universities, institutes of technology, libraries and schools, but also technology-based companies who will open their doors during the week. Organised by Forfás under its Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, the full programme of events can be viewed on the web at www.science.ie. Events at this site are grouped under the headings Leinster, Munster and Connaught/Ulster.
The details below are only a sample of what is on offer and a visit to the web site will provide a fuller picture.
LEINSTER
A History of Light exhibition at National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Nov 10-16th, all day, suitable for all ages, free, but must be pre-booked by contacting (01) 677-7444, ext 453.
Exhibition of meteorites and science and nature videos, Coolock Library, Dublin, Nov 10th-17th (meteorites until Nov 22nd), suitable for all, free.
Fun with Chemistry show with Randel Henley, Nov 11th, 9.45a.m. - 11.30a.m., Carlow IT, secondary and third level free, contact James Nolan (0503) 70474.
Silent witness, lecture by Prof Marie Cassidy, deputy state pathologist, Nov 11, noon, DIT Kevin Street, free, but must be pre-booked by contacting John Cassidy (01) 402-4779.
Say kids, what time is it?, lecture, Nov 11th, 7.30p.m., Schrodinger Theatre, Physics Building Trinity College Dublin, secondary school and general, free, contact David Malone, (01) 402-7654.
Brain research 2002: advances in Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, Nov 11th, 8pm, Walton Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin, third level and general, free, contact Ruth Graham, (01) 614-0122.
What lies beneath geology lecture, Nov 11, 8p.m., Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, secondary school and general free, but must be pre-booked, contact Ruth Graham, (01) 614-0122.
The Big Bug Show, Nov 12-13th, insect show with live insects, Local national schools, Carlow, primary, free, contact Aine O'Neill, (0503) 70519.
Voyager-from earth to interstellar space, Nov 12th, 8p.m., Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, College Green, Dublin 2, primary and general free, but must be pre-booked, contact Kevin Nolan, 087-238-6141.
Faculty of Science and Health open day, Dublin City University, Nov 13th, 10a.m.-2p.m., secondary free, contact Sharon Sheehy/Catherine Tierney, (01) 700-8975.
Quaternions in computer games, Nov 13th, 8p.m., Room CS1, Cannon Building, NUI Maynooth, third level free, contact Ciaran Mac an Bhaird, (01) 708-3992.
Molecular spies: messages from molecules, Nov 14th, 7p.m., Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, secondary and general free, contact Pauric Dempsey, (01) 638-0915.
Cancer and our genes, Nov 14th, 7p.m., 8p.m., Room Science Building, Dublin City University, secondary and general free, contact Sharon Sheehy/Catherine Tierney, (01) 700-8975.
Science is Magic Show, Nov 15th, (time to be confirmed), Count John McCormack Centre, Athlone IT, primary and general free, contact Dr Paul Tomkins, (0902) 24453.
Close encounters of an animal kind, workshop, Nov 16th, 10.30a.m.-12.30p.m., National Museum, Merrion Square, Dublin, primary free, but must be pre-booked, contact (01) 677-7444.
MUNSTER
Kerry Science Festival, Nov 9th, 11a.m.-3.30p.m., Science and Engineering Campus, IT Tralee, primary and general free, contact Noel Mulligan, (066) 714-5626.
Open day, University of Limerick science practical laboratories, Nov 10th-17th, all day, University of Limerick, secondary free, but must be pre-booked, contact Bernie Quilligan, (061) 202648.
Bats in Ireland, illustrated talk, Nov 10th-17th, various times at primary schools in Kerry, free, but must be pre-booked, contact Noel Mulligan, (066) 714-5626.
Living and working in Antarctica, lecture, Nov 13th, 11a.m., Siamsa Tire Theatre, Tralee, post primary, general, tickets €10, group discounts, freephone 1800 680780.
Spray cans, smog and society, Nov 12th, 8p.m., Boole 4 Lecture Theatre, University College Cork, secondary and general free, contact Prof William Reville, (021) 490-2325.
Science and Space, demonstration lecture, Nov 12th-14th, five per day between 10a.m.-4p.m., Waterford IT, primary and general free, but must be pre-booked, contact Shelia Donegan, (051) 302037.
Armagh Planetarium's Stardome, Nov 11th-12th, all day, Kerry County Library, primary, 1st and 2nd year free, but must be pre-booked, contact (064) 359660.
Tour of Pfizer Ireland pharmaceutical plant, Nov 13th, 10.15a.m.-12.30p.m., Pfizer Ireland, Co Cork, secondary free, but must be pre-booked, contact Niamh Shaughnessy,
(021) 432-8506.
Blood, murder and mayhem, demonstration lecture, Nov 18th-25th, times to be confirmed, IT Tralee, secondary free, must be pre-booked, contact Noel Mulligan,
(066) 714-5626.
CONNAUGHT AND ULSTER
Sunday Funday, Nov 10th, all day, Galway Atlantaquaria, primary, general, day tickets €7 per adult, €5 concession, contact Neil Campbell, (091) 585100.
Why do fools fall in love?, lecture, Nov 11th, 8.15p.m., IT Sligo, Theatre A0004, general free, contact Maria Keeney, (071) 55355.
MMR vaccinations, lecture, Nov 12th, 8p.m., IT Sligo, general free, contact Maria Keeney, (071) 55355.
Behind the glass case, tour, Nov 12th, 14th-16th, 2p.m., Museum of Country Life Turlough Park, Castlebar, general free, but must be pre-booked, contact Deirdre Power, (01) 648-6453/1850 687386.
Sligo Science Fair, Nov 16th, 11a.m.-5p.m., Rockwood Youth Centre, Sligo town centre, general free, contact Maria Keeney, (071) 55355.
Galway Science and Technology Festival, Nov 18th-19th, various times, various locations, general free, contact Richie Byrne, (091) 745602.
Nature's electric/energy antics, demonstration lecture, Nov 23rd, 11a.m.-1.30p.m., Letterkenny IT, primary and general free, contact Brian Carney, (074) 64131.
Sunday Science Festival Exhibition, Nov 24th, 11a.m.-6p.m., Leisureland, Salthill, Galway, general, adults €1, children free, contact Richie Byrne, (091) 745602.