TU Dublin Launches SPACEFest 2025
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Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland’s largest university for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, launched SPACEFest 2025, a four-day public festival that will transform the University’s Grangegorman campus into a hands-on learning centre to discover space from the 4th to the 7th June this year.
Supported by Workday, SPACEFest is a community engagement festival welcomed families, schools, and science enthusiasts to explore rockets, rovers, coding, art and the mysteries of the universe, free of charge. Highlights of the week included:
- Armagh Observatory & Planetarium Dome: an immersive, 360-degree portable planetarium offering audiences a journey through deep space without leaving Dublin.
- Hands-on STEAM Zones: rocket-launching, Mars-rover challenges, coding workshops, space-themed art and writing competitions for 4th–6th-class pupils.
- Guest Speakers & Demonstrations: interactive talks by astrophysicist Kevin Nolan, roboticist Dr Keith Quille, space communicator Dr Niamh Shaw, science educator Dr Naomi Lavelle, and more.
President of TU Dublin, Dr Deirdre Lillis, said:
“As Ireland’s largest university for STEM education, TU Dublin is proud to once again connect our youngest learners with the wonders of space. Initiatives like SPACEFest and the ARISS space call reflect our commitment to pushing the boundaries of educational innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.”
SPACEFest was created by the Access and Outreach team at TU Dublin. It is an extension of Try Five +, a successful initiative funded by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, ESERO, and the Department of Education and Skills that inspires primary school students in DEIS schools to explore and engage with STEAM through the exciting theme of space.
Graham Abell, Vice President, Software Engineering & Ireland Site Lead, said:
"Providing students with unique, interactive learning experiences is key to cultivating their curiosity and sparking a passion for science and innovation. We're proud to partner with TU Dublin on SPACEFest once again, delivering opportunities we hope will help foster Ireland’s next generation of forward-thinkers."
Primary pupils speaking live to International Space Station
A centrepiece of SPACEFest, which ran until Saturday, 07 June 2025, was a live Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact that took place on Wednesday, 4th June. This activity was run by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), a global voluntary group that created an outreach programme using radio equipment aboard the ISS, bringing together schools and amateur radio operators across the world for this fantastic educational experience.
TU Dublin was a stand-out organisation for the second time, thanks to its inspirational science education outreach programme, STEAM: Try Five +, which promoted hands-on, inquiry-based, collaborative, and student-centred learning around space exploration.
Twelve pupils from nine Dublin DEIS primary schools, all participants in the programme, enjoyed a ten-minute window to ask questions directly to JAXA astronaut and ISS Commander Takuya Onishi while he orbited Earth at 27,600 km/h.
This marked the second time TU Dublin secured the competitive ARISS link-up, which underscored the University’s reputation for outstanding outreach initiatives. The conversation was streamed worldwide on the ARISS Live YouTube channels, giving classrooms and households everywhere a front-row seat to history.
The DEIS school pupils participating in SPACEFest are from Sacred Heart Killinarden, Stanhope Street Primary, Christ the King Boys, Christ the King Girls, St Paul’s Primary, Paradise Place Educate Together, St Gabriel’s NS, St Philip’s Primary, Scoil Mhuire Senior, Cnoc Mhuire Senior, and Lady’s Well Primary.