NI Science Festival Returns To Ards

Full Steam ahead as NI Science Festival rolls into Ards

Next month, NI Science Festival returns to the Ards area as it celebrates a decade of exploration and discovery.

From Thursday 15 to Sunday 25 February, the festival’s largest ever programme of archaeologists, environmentalists, psychologists, neuroscientists and much more come together to celebrate all things science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Over 300 events are planned across Northern Ireland covering everything from the natural world, our planet, and the vast expanse of space to technology, engineering, the mind and body, food and much more.

On Saturday 24^thxa0February in Ards Arts Centre, delve into the magic of conservationist Conor Busittil’s new book,xa0Billy Conker’s Nature Spotting Adventure, and explore our ecosystems with a drawing workshop to discover the wonders of forests and oceans.

At Strangford Activity Centre, why notxa0Paddle with a Purposexa0(Saturday 17^thxa0February) and join a kayak tour and island clean-up on Strangford Loug.

Or uncover the sights and flavour of the area by kayak inxa0Foraging Afloatxa0(Saturday 17^thxa0– Sunday 18^thxa0February); or you could embark on a kayak tour to Mahee Island following a traditional smuggling route undertaken by Daft Eddie and the Merry Hearts to learn more about the history ofxa0The Monks, the Vikings, and the Smugglers of Strangford Loughxa0(Sunday 25^thxa0February).

Make Your Own Mini Wetland (Saturday 24^th February) at WWT Castle Espie is your chance to discover the simplicity of creating a mini wetland to support diverse wildlife in your surroundings and learn more about how even small water bodies can attract and sustain frogs, birds, insects, and facilitate new life.

In Mount Stewart’s Amazing Microclimate (Friday 16^th February) join the gardening and research team from an ongoing National Trust and University of Bristol weather observation project on a 2.5km walk around Mount Stewart to learn more about this unique garden, its flora and how climate data can be used to help plan for the future of the garden.

Commenting on the launch of this year’s festival, its director, Sarah Jones, said, “We are very excited to be celebrating our tenth anniversary with a fantastic programme of events for the young and old.

This year’s festival not only showcases the marvels of science but also explores its connections with arts and culture and beyond.

“As ever, our festival extends right across Northern Ireland and for the first time even crosses borders.

For ten years we have spread the joy of science, sparked fascination with technology, engineering and maths and facilitated thought-provoking discussions regarding the arts – we look forward to building upon this not only this year but for many more to come.”

NI Science Festival is supported by the Department for the Economy, Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, British Council Northern Ireland, MCS Group, The Open University NI, Arts & Business NI, Matrix NI, Film Hub NI, Institute of Physics, OCN NI and Belfast Harbour.

The 2024 NI Science Festival runs 15–25 February. For more information about events and bookings, visit:

nisciencefestival.com.

Keep up-to-date with the festival on social media viaxa0Facebook,xa0Twitterxa0andxa0YouTube.