Science Week Ireland 2026
Sunday 8 November to Sunday 15 November 2026
Science Week Ireland 2026 runs from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 November. Delivered by Research Ireland, the nationwide celebration invites people to explore science in everyday life.
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Dates and event details
Sunday 8 November to Sunday 15 November 2026. Held dates set by the organiser each year.
| Date status | Date source-confirmed for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date-check source | Science Week: Research Ireland 2026 |
| Where | Ireland |
About Science Week Ireland
Science Week Ireland 2026 runs from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 November. Delivered by Research Ireland, the nationwide celebration invites people to explore science in everyday life.
Explore the water theme locally
A family, class or community group could start with one question about a familiar place: where does rainwater go from this street, how is a nearby wetland studied or what do researchers want to know about the coast?
Turn the question into a small research activity:
- Record what you know: draw a simple map or write down observations without treating guesses as facts.
- Find a relevant source: use the Science Week programme to identify a researcher, organisation or event connected to your question.
- Prepare two questions: ask what evidence researchers collect and what they still need to understand.
- Share what changed: make a short poster explaining one thing you learned and where the information came from.
This is an independent activity idea, not an official competition. You can do it through maps, photographs and published resources without entering water, collecting samples or travelling to a site.
The official 2026 theme is Water: From Molecule to Ocean. It creates opportunities to ask questions about water at different scales, from the substances we encounter at home to rivers, wetlands and the sea.
Planning a community event
A library or community group could invite a local researcher to discuss one water-related question. Agree the audience and format first, leave room for questions and provide a way to participate that does not depend entirely on public speaking.
If you want an activity included in the national programme, follow the event-submission guidance on the official website. Holding your own event does not automatically make it an endorsed Science Week activity.
What happens during Science Week?
The programme brings together public events, regional festivals and activities for schools and communities. The official What’s On directory is the place to look for current listings.
Choose an event that fits the people attending, rather than assuming every activity is suitable for every age. Check the individual listing for audience, date, location, booking requirements, price and access information. The national dates cover a range of separately organised activities.
Which organisation should you follow?
Use the current Science Week website and Research Ireland for 2026 information. Older pages may refer to Science Foundation Ireland; check the current organiser’s programme before reusing dates, branding or participation instructions.
Resources for schools
Science Week has separate pages for primary schools and secondary schools. These describe classroom activities and live programme options, including careers-related opportunities for older students.
Check the edition of a downloadable pack and whether a booking link is open. Some school pages distinguish an earlier pack from a forthcoming 2026 version; an older resource may still be useful, but should retain its original year.
