School Workshops
The Science of Innovation: Then, Today and Tomorrow – Science Week Ireland 2025
Science is relevant and important to each and every one of us, each and every day of our lives – a fact celebrated by the annual Science Week Ireland.
This year’s Science Week will take place from November 10th – 14th, with the theme of “Then. Today. Tomorrow” – and our programme, The Science of Innovation, is the perfect way to help your school celebrate this key event!
Introduction
Science flourished in Ireland then, is transforming lives today and will be a powerhouse tomorrow. From the Stone Age engineers of the Dingle Peninsula to the insights into the universe offered today by Mayo’s Dark Sky Park to the Climate Action Plan’s focus on renewable energy in the future, the Science of Innovation has always been present on the island.
| Year Groups | EYFS – Y6 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Science |
| Pupil Numbers | Whole School |
| Duration | One Day |
| Space | School Hall |
Workshop Testimonials
“A big thank you to Zoe, who was absolutely wonderful. The children loved being active and given a chance to participate. Zoe was kind, reassuring and happy- the staff were all impressed with her and her presence.”
“We loved the workshops; they were roughly 350 students participating altogether. The workshops were engaging, interesting and very educational!”
Workshop Description
Able to accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, The Science of Innovation opens with a whole-school assembly bringing to life the achievements of some of Ireland’s greatest scientists and inventors.
This leads to a series of age-differentiated, drama-based workshops taking things to a global scale by exploring Innovations That Have Changed the World!
Not only that, but each year group will get to learn about an innovator linked to one of the science strands they’ll be looking at over the academic year – all consciously chose to reflect the diversity of the modern world.
How many pupils can take part?
The Science of Innovation can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop – that’s the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!
What is the format of the day?
The day starts with a whole-school assembly. We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day.
A typical timetable looks like this:
09.00 – 09.20: Whole-school assembly
09.20 – 9.55: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
9.55 – 10.30: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.30 – 11.05: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.05 – 11.30: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
11.30 – 11.55: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.40: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
1.40 – 2.20: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.20 – 3.00: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
Are there any technical requirements?
Each working space needs to be equipped with laptop/screen/projector, so pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint throughout.
Where will the workshops take place?
These workshops require the use of your school hall.
Are there any other whole school science days?
Yes, you can also enjoy a whole school experience with The Science of Change, Time for Science, The Connection, Seven Wonders of the World or Science Skills! Or, build your own whole school, Big Science Day.
Junior Infants/P1:
Three Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Lyda Newman (Materials).
Senior Infants/P2:
Three Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Sarah Goode (Materials).
First Class/P3:
Five Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Charles Henry Turner (Living Things/Animals).
Second Class/P4:
Five Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Alexander Miles (Magnetism and Forces).
Third Class/P5:
Seven Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Frederick Akbar Mohamed (Living Things/Humans).
Fourth Class/P6:
Seven Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Jagadish Chandra Bose (Living Things/Plants).
Fifth Class/P7:
Seven Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Ruth Wakefield (Materials/Materials and Change).
Sixth Class:
Seven Innovations that Changed the World … and a look at the life and work of Ibn al Haytham (Light).
Related Workshops
Time for Science
The Connection
The Connection explores the lives, achievements and legacies of individuals whose inventions and discoveries have affected all our lives!
