Bernice Harrisonon alternatives to movies and the mall
Science Week
Looking out on the miserable weather last Saturday, this column felt a bit guilty for urging outdoor arts activities, so this week all the fun is indoors. This is Science Week and there are hundreds of events all around the country, most of them are free and all are designed to spark imagination. Some students will already have attended an event this week on a school trip but there are plenty of activities in local libraries, city halls and colleges this weekend. For example, any day out that involves exploding custard is bound to be a winner and that sticky experiment is part of the Family Fun Day of Science, Engineering and Technology today at the University of Limerick. That event also includes shooting stars, falconry and wildlife displays. At the library in Dublin's Ilac centre, Astronomy Ireland's exhibition features telescopes, rockets and meteorites. At Cork City Hall tomorrow, the Discovery 2008 (left) family day promises all kinds of hands-on fun, from 9.30am.
EventsSee www.scienceweek.ie for the full list.
If you can't get outTry science experiments at home, with stuff you already have in the kitchen cupboard. At www.kids.discovery.com, there are lots of ideas, including building your own volcano and watching it erupt.
If you must go outIn Sligo, there's the annual birdwatch trip to Lissadell. Meet at IT Sligo tomorrow at noon.