February University of Galway hosts family fun day to inspire future engineers during Engineers Week 2025

University of Galway is inviting aspiring engineers of all ages to a free full-day family event to celebrate engineering across Ireland with hands-on activities, exciting shows, documentaries and inspiring workshops.

As part of Engineers Week 2025, ‘Engineering Our Future: Family Fun Day’ takes place on Saturday, March 1st, from 10am-4pm, at the Alice Perry Engineering Building, University of Galway.

The day will combine science demonstrations with insights into fascinating research as well as opportunities for kids to make and do and experience first-hand how technology works.

Professor Jamie Goggins from the School of Engineering at University of Galway and Director of Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation hosted at University of Galway, said: “Children are natural engineers. They love to design and build things, using whatever they can get their hands on. With knowledge, innovation and creativity engineers change the reality and future of all human beings. The day is allows us to put on activities which show the world of civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical and electronic engineering and information technology. It is designed to allow young people and their families to explore engineering through exciting and fun hands-on activities and shows, as well as meeting with practising engineers to better learn about the world around us, understand the role of engineering in our lives and its impact on our future.”

The full programme for Family Fun Day and booking details is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/engineersweek/familyfunday/.

Among the events planned for the day are:

• ‘The Chemistry and the Celts’ - a show with an unmissable blend of history, science and storytelling, packed with fiery explosions, daring experiments, and plenty of audience participation.
• The ‘Bee Science’ show explains how flowers attract insects, what bees actually see, and the surprising role of sound in pollination
• Get up close with fascinating creatures in the ‘Leg to Legless’ workshop and meet live animals and uncover nature’s secrets about sustainability and adaptation.
• Film screenings: Cities of the Future challenges the viewer to imagine smart cities 50 years from now, built for sustainability with clean air, renewable energy, and innovative public transport. Dream Big: Engineering Our World, narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, takes the viewer on a journey through some of the world’s most astonishing engineering marvels - from the Great Wall of China to solar-powered cars.
• City of 2050 - children are invited to imagine and design the Irish city of the future - powered by renewable energy, built with recycled materials, and inspired by nature.

Throughout the day families will have the opportunity to build their own wind turbine; make their own biomaterial using slime; have fun with 3D printing and robotics; learn about buildings through a virtual world; test how conservation of energy works, investigate how cameras help us see beyond our eyes, explore the GEEC: Galway Energy Efficient Car designed and manufactured by University of Galway students; or relax at the free LEGO play area.

A sensory room is also set up for the youngest engineers and all those who would like some timeout in peace and quiet.

The Mount Lucas NZEB and Retrofit Mobile Training Unit will allow attendees to meet experts and learn about retrofitting homes to make them more energy-efficient, comfortable and healthier.

This event is part of the Galway City NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme and in conjunction with the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and Construct Innovate.

Tickets are free and can be booked in advance for some shows and activities, but it will also be possible to attend shows without pre-booking on a first-come-first-served basis on the day.

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