Menu
15/01/2023
The Science Of You, The Universe And Everything In Between
Lord Mayor Councillor Christina Black has welcomed news that wildlife cameraman, presenter and Strictly winner Hamza Yassin and aerospace engineer-turned-baker Andrew Smyth are Belfast-bound alongside world-renowned astrophysicists, neuroscientists, environmentalists and more as NI Science Festival returns to celebrate the science of you, the universe and everything in between.
From meteorites to music, the annual festival, a celebration of all things science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), will return for a jam-packed 11 days of discovery from Thursday 16 – Sunday 26 February.
Over 200 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.
Speaking at the festival launch, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tina Black said: "My congratulations to NI Science Festival Director Sarah Jones and her team for curating a programme that's out of this world! We're so proud to support the NI Science Festival – not only does it bring a sense of joy, fun and discovery to science for people of all ages, it's stimulating the type of thinking and skills about ourselves, the universe and everything in between that are so vital to Belfast as an innovation city. The sheer diversity of this year's programme is inspiring. I can't wait until February now – and I look forward to seeing the buzz around all these wonderful events."
Festival Director, Sarah Jones, said: "We're very pleased to be able to return with our largest selection of events yet, celebrating the diversity of people working in STEAM sectors locally, nationally and internationally, and championing, among others, homegrown innovators, artists and academics at the cutting edge of research.
"This year's festival extends right across Northern Ireland to spread the joy of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. We aim to ignite interest in the world around us, to spark conversation and debate, and we hope this year's extensive programme will create new learning opportunities for festival goers old and new."
Now proud owner of the famous glitterball trophy, wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin, a familiar face on programmes including Countryfile and children's TV show Let's Go For A Walk, will share his passion for the natural world, combined with his love of adventure, in a talk at the Whitla Hall, Queen's University Belfast (26 February).
In his talk, Behind the Lens, the ornithologist and conservationist will share his secrets on how to capture the best images and record footage of even the most elusive animals, offering a fascinating insight into the world of wildlife filming.
Judge of Netflix's Baking Impossible and Great British Bake Off finalist Andrew Smyth will bring his brand-new family show Bakineering to Belfast (17 February) and Derry~Londonderry (18 February). Exploring incredible engineering through edible means, the aerospace engineer-turned-baker will use interactive baking demos to showcase the engineering principles that keep us safe when travelling via road, sea or sky.
The Nerve Centre-led project Our Place in Space makes its triumphant return to Northern Ireland as part of the festival. The highly-acclaimed super-squashed solar system designed by artist Oliver Jeffers lands at the Ulster Transport Museum (24 February), offering a final chance to wander around the galaxy along the stunning locations of the North Down coastal path.
The festival welcomes John & Brenda Romero to The MAC to celebrate 30 Years of Doom (24 February), one of the most influential video games ever created. Released in 1993, the pioneering game is widely recognised for its impact on, and shaping of, the first-person shooter genre. John Romero, one of its creators, will discuss the lasting legacy of the franchise and the future of gaming.
Festival favourite Jim Al-Khalili, distinguished professor of theoretical physics and celebrated author, will return to discuss his new book, The Joy of Science (21 February), covering everything from how to handle uncertainty and doubt to coping with the general complexities of modern living.
For all the family, the good doctor from the hit CBBC children's television series Operation Ouch, Dr Xand van Tulleken returns with another family-friendly show, Science with Dr Xand! (18 February), packed with stunts, crazy experiments and amazing facts, exploring the fascinating world of human biology. And Rude Science with Stefan Gates comes to both Belfast (25 February) and Strabane (26 February) with scientific answers to the questions everyone is too shy to ask: Why do men have nipples?
Alongside a wide selection of events taking place right across Northern Ireland, the festival will also take to the road with its Regional Roadshow. Featuring a whirlwind interactive introduction to the brain and nervous system plus an exploration of the wonderful world of our senses and the tricks they play on us, the roadshow will visit Limavady (16 February), Antrim (17 February), Omagh (18 February) and Armagh (19 February).
NI Science Festival is supported by the Department for the Economy, Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, British Council Northern Ireland, MCS Group, The Open University NI, Innovate UK, Matrix NI, Film Hub NI, Institute of Physics, Belfast Harbour and Halifax Foundation.
The 2023 NI Science Festival runs 16–26 February. For more information about events and bookings, visit nisciencefestival.com.
Latest Northern Ireland Features
12 November 2024
Belfast Entrepreneurs To Be Celebrated With New Conference
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, has called on entrepreneurs from across the city to get together for a unique conference aimed at supporting their business journey. Entrepreneurs Unleashed will take place this month at the Cathy Short Theatre in Jennymount Business Park, lower North Belfast.
Belfast Entrepreneurs To Be Celebrated With New Conference
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, has called on entrepreneurs from across the city to get together for a unique conference aimed at supporting their business journey. Entrepreneurs Unleashed will take place this month at the Cathy Short Theatre in Jennymount Business Park, lower North Belfast.
19 September 2024
Carlingford's Adventure Lights to Illuminate Winter
Skypark, Carlingford, is set to transform the winter season with the launch of Adventure Lights, a unique 14-week event designed to enchant visitors and boost the local economy. Running from October 26 to February 2, this immersive light experience brings Irish mythology to life, offering an unforgettable journey through the 'Land of Legends'.
Carlingford's Adventure Lights to Illuminate Winter
Skypark, Carlingford, is set to transform the winter season with the launch of Adventure Lights, a unique 14-week event designed to enchant visitors and boost the local economy. Running from October 26 to February 2, this immersive light experience brings Irish mythology to life, offering an unforgettable journey through the 'Land of Legends'.
13 August 2024
The Reporter Named Belfast's 'Friendliest Pub'
The Reporter is the friendliest pub in Belfast, a new study has found. The experts at Belfast Bus Tour analysed TripAdvisor data on 69 pubs or bars across Belfast. Each pub was rated out of 100 based on its TripAdvisor rating and mentions of positive terms like "friendly", "helpful", "lovely", and "kind" per review.
The Reporter Named Belfast's 'Friendliest Pub'
The Reporter is the friendliest pub in Belfast, a new study has found. The experts at Belfast Bus Tour analysed TripAdvisor data on 69 pubs or bars across Belfast. Each pub was rated out of 100 based on its TripAdvisor rating and mentions of positive terms like "friendly", "helpful", "lovely", and "kind" per review.
07 August 2024
Online Gambling Trends & Regulations
A Comparison Of Northern Ireland And New Zealand The gambling sector is booming worldwide, so more and more countries are accepting appropriate legislation to control it. Some completely ban this risky entertainment, but this is not the case with Northern Ireland and New Zealand, where the industry is fully regulated.
Online Gambling Trends & Regulations
A Comparison Of Northern Ireland And New Zealand The gambling sector is booming worldwide, so more and more countries are accepting appropriate legislation to control it. Some completely ban this risky entertainment, but this is not the case with Northern Ireland and New Zealand, where the industry is fully regulated.
31 July 2024
SPARK Brings Free Neurodivergent Family Fun Day
A new organisation set up to support neurodivergent families and individuals has announced their first Creative Fun Day will take place in Belfast this weekend. Saturday, 3 August will see SPARK, in partnership with Arts Care, open the doors of 2 Royal Avenue for an afternoon of fun, socialising with like-minded families and other activities.
SPARK Brings Free Neurodivergent Family Fun Day
A new organisation set up to support neurodivergent families and individuals has announced their first Creative Fun Day will take place in Belfast this weekend. Saturday, 3 August will see SPARK, in partnership with Arts Care, open the doors of 2 Royal Avenue for an afternoon of fun, socialising with like-minded families and other activities.
09 July 2024
Have You Thought About A UK Staycation?
A staycation, a blend of 'stay' and 'vacation', is a holiday spent in your home country rather than traveling abroad. In recent years, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on international travel, staycations have surged in popularity across the UK.
Have You Thought About A UK Staycation?
A staycation, a blend of 'stay' and 'vacation', is a holiday spent in your home country rather than traveling abroad. In recent years, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on international travel, staycations have surged in popularity across the UK.
05 July 2024
Orangefest Celebrations Set For July 12 At Belfast City Hall
A whole host of family fun activities is planned to take place at Belfast's City Hall in conjunction with the annual parades to commemorate The Twelfth. Created to complement the July 12 parades, Orangefest 2024 will take place from 10am-4pm at both Belfast City Hall and surrounding areas in Royal Avenue.
Orangefest Celebrations Set For July 12 At Belfast City Hall
A whole host of family fun activities is planned to take place at Belfast's City Hall in conjunction with the annual parades to commemorate The Twelfth. Created to complement the July 12 parades, Orangefest 2024 will take place from 10am-4pm at both Belfast City Hall and surrounding areas in Royal Avenue.
28 June 2024
NI Candidates Standing In UK General Election
With the UK General Election set to take place on Thursday, 04 July, we look at the parties vying to represent Northern Ireland at Westminster. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have held their position as the party with the most MP's, 8 between 2019-2024, with their main rival, Sinn Féin, a close second with 7.
NI Candidates Standing In UK General Election
With the UK General Election set to take place on Thursday, 04 July, we look at the parties vying to represent Northern Ireland at Westminster. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have held their position as the party with the most MP's, 8 between 2019-2024, with their main rival, Sinn Féin, a close second with 7.
17 June 2024
How To Move Stress-Free In Northern Ireland
Moving to Northern Ireland, the land of myth and mystery, should be an adventure, not a trial.
How To Move Stress-Free In Northern Ireland
Moving to Northern Ireland, the land of myth and mystery, should be an adventure, not a trial.
11 June 2024
Northern Ireland's Biggest Stars in Sports
If there is one thing that Northern Ireland is famed for, it's their cultural values, and in this region, awesome athletes have been brought forth in the world. These sports-related celebrities have impacted their fields as well as the world at large, hence becoming important athletic symbols for the coming generations.
Northern Ireland's Biggest Stars in Sports
If there is one thing that Northern Ireland is famed for, it's their cultural values, and in this region, awesome athletes have been brought forth in the world. These sports-related celebrities have impacted their fields as well as the world at large, hence becoming important athletic symbols for the coming generations.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
