University of Galway is calling all young and old wannabe engineers to participate in a free family event this weekend.

‘Engineering Our Future: Family Fun Day’ takes place on Saturday, March 2 from 10am to 4pm in the Alice Perry Engineering Building.

Organised as part of Engineers Week 2024, which celebrates engineering across Ireland, the event will provide plenty of science and engineering shows, film screenings, workshops and hands-on activities that will inspire both the young and the old.

Two film screenings

Along with live shows, such as Fun Fantastic Physics, families can attend two film screenings throughout the day – Dream Big: Engineering Our World and John Phillip Holland: Submarine Inventor.

Professor Jamie Goggins, School of Engineering at University of Galway, said that children are natural engineers as 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.

"We want to see as many families join us for the day-long events to help mark and celebrate Engineers Week and 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.”

Build their own wind turbine

Throughout the day families will have an opportunity to build their own wind turbine; gain a basic understanding of the role and structure of cells and DNA with Cell Explorers; build a biomaterial using slime; have fun with 3D printing; learn how to repair bicycles from An Mheitheal Rothar; explore the GEEC: Galway Energy Efficient Car; have fun in the LEGO or STEM play areas; or take some timeout in the sensory room. 

Attendees can also practice their driving and hazard perception skills on state-of the art car, motorbike or bicycle simulators provided by the Road Safety Authority.

These and many other activities showing the world of civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical, electronic, energy systems and computer engineering will be available on the day. 

The full programme of events for Family Fun Day is available at www.universityofgalway.ie/engineersweek/. 

Tickets are free, and they can be booked for some shows in advance through the website. Families are also advised that they can turn up on the day, on a first come, first served, basis.