A series of Family Fairs to inspire Ireland’s future engineers through interactive workshops, hands-on activities and engaging shows and more will take place in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Sligo this weekend to mark the launch of STEPS Engineers Week 2023.

Taking place from today, Saturday 4 March and running until 10 March, STEPS Engineers Week provides primary and secondary school children with the opportunity to explore the creative world of engineering and the diverse opportunities a career in the sector can offer.

The week-long celebration of the engineering profession in Ireland is managed by the Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme and funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and industry leaders Arup, the EPA, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

From 3D printing and robotics to finding out more about climate change, building wind turbines, LEGO construction challenges, space exploration and more, families are encouraged to attend free events in Dublin, Cork, Sligo, and Galway this weekend to explore the exciting and creative world of engineering. In addition to in-person events, The Rediscovery Centre and The Reptile Zoo will also host interactive online events on Sunday, 5 March to help bring engineering to life in homes across the country.

The commencement of this year’s STEPS Engineers Week also coincides with World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, a UNESCO International Day of Celebration of engineers and engineering, and the contribution of the world’s engineers for a better, more sustainable world.  

From Carndonagh to Crosshaven and Gorey to Galway, engineers from all over Ireland  will engage with their communities to showcase their profession and highlight the amazing ways Irish engineers are pushing the limits of creativity and ingenuity.  Leading engineering employers, including Arup, Intel Ireland, MSD Carlow, Medtronic, AECOM, Eirgrid, DBFL Consulting Engineers, Palliare, John Cradok, Stryker, Pfizer, Liebherr Container Cranes, Gas Networks Ireland, Green Rebel, Louth County Council, Terex, Irish Manufacturing Research, McAree Engineering, Murphy Group, Waterways Ireland, Wuxi Biologics and Huawei will each engage students by hosting site visits, visiting schools or encouraging interaction with STEM advocates during the weeklong celebration.

Thousands of school children across Ireland will also be entertained by Ireland’s leading STEM performers, ‘Scientific Sue’ and ‘Mark the Science Guy’, in venues across the country. Primary and secondary school students will also get the opportunity to explore engineering and the role of engineers in the classroom with sustainability challenges, engineering quizzes, video resources and more.

Commenting on the launch of STEPS Engineers Week 2023 and World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said: “Engineers play a critical role in shaping the world around us and are uniquely placed to help the world meet critical Sustainable Development Goals. As we celebrate World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development and the launch of STEPS Engineers Week 2023, we look forward to providing children, their families and teachers, with the opportunity to dream, invent and create like professional engineers. We are pleased to see so many engineering organisations, libraries, schools and third level institutions getting involved and showcasing the engineering profession to primary and secondary school students nationwide. With lots of free resources, activities and on-demand engineering shows available to download, there is still plenty of time to get involved in this weeklong celebration and to bring the world of engineering to life at home or at school.”

For more information and to get involved in STEPS Engineers Week 2023, visit: www.engineersireland.ie/schools 

Get involved and attend a Family Fair event

DUBLIN

On Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 March, families are encouraged to join ‘Scientific Sue’ and ‘Mark the Science Guy’ at Engineers Ireland’s headquarters on Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin for engaging climate workshops and outer space activities for children of all ages The Reptile Zoo will also join the family weekend of celebrations to encourage children big and small, to learn more about animals and bioengineering. A small number of tickets for shows are still available – pre booking required via Eventbrite. 

In addition to the free events taking place at Engineers Ireland’s headquarters, STEM performer ‘Silly Billy’ will also host free walk-in shows on Saturday, 4 March in Jervis Shopping Centre at 12pm and 2pm, and on Sunday, 5 March in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre at 12pm and 2pm. 

GALWAY

On Saturday, 4 March the 'Engineering Our Future: Family Fun Day' will take place in the Alice Perry Engineering Building at University of Galway This free Family Fun Day will provide plenty of science and engineering shows, workshops and hands-on activities, ranging from 3D printing and robotics to building wind turbines and creating slime. Families will also get the opportunity to learn more about bicycle repairs from An Meitheal Rothar and the Road Safety Authority’s vehicle simulator will also be at the event.

CORK

The ‘Meet the Engineer’ Family Fun Day with Lifetime Lab will take place at the Old Cork Waterworks on Sunday, 5 March from 12 - 4pm. With free admission, families can enjoy electricity workshops, MathsWorks Mobile school visits and enquiry-based science workshops. Additional activities, staffed by volunteers from Engineers Ireland Cork Branch, will include programming VEX robots, LEGO construction challenges, snap circuits, engineering trails, make & do and lots more.

SLIGO

On Sunday, 5 March,  Atlantic Technological University will host a number of shows, workshops and demonstrations at the Sligo Engineering Fair. From interactive workshops, where participants can build various engineering flying toys, to virtual reality experiences and 3D printing with I-Form, families will get the opportunity to engage in experiments and demonstrations and find out more about the wide ranging ways engineers create innovative and sustainable solutions for society.

ONLINE - NATIONWIDE

In addition to in-person events, The Rediscovery Centre and The Reptile Zoo will also host interactive online events on Sunday, 5 March to help bring engineering to life in homes across the country.