Dublin, Ireland — 19 December 2024 — What a year it’s been! As we wrap up 2024, let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible strides made in science education and discovery around the world—especially for the curious, creative and unstoppable minds of children.
From awe-inspiring space missions to the tiniest scientific breakthroughs in classrooms, this year has proven that science learning is alive, thriving and full of fun.
January: Irish Innovation Shines Bright at BT Young Scientist Exhibition
January kicked off with a celebration of creativity and innovation as Seán O’Sullivan from Coláiste Chiaráin, Limerick, was crowned BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year 2024. Seán’s winning project, "VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era," tackled one of the most pressing challenges of our time—ensuring authenticity in the age of AI-generated content. Read more.
February: Hidden Oceans Discovered in the Outer Solar System
February brought exciting news as astronomers discovered hidden oceans on moons like Saturn’s Mimas. Then in October, convincing data pointed to yet another ocean buried within Miranda, a Uranian moon. These findings suggest that life-sustaining water is more common in our solar system than previously thought, making the universe feel a little more alive and relatable for young stargazers (Source: National Geographic).
Who knew space could be so… watery? Earth’s oceans were once thought to be unique, but these discoveries reveal that hidden oceans are more common in our solar system than anyone imagined.
March: Planning Permission Granted for Ireland’s National Children’s Science Centre
March marked a milestone for science education in Ireland as planning permission was officially granted for the National Children’s Science Centre! Situated in the heart of Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, the centre will transform the long-vacant North Wing of Earlsfort Terrace into a world-class interactive science museum.
For 2025, we are actively working with the government to secure the vital support needed to bring this transformative initiative to life. The vision for the centre is bold: a dynamic, hands-on hub that invites children to engage with the wonders of the natural world while inspiring them to build a brighter future. From interactive exhibits to cutting-edge educational programming, the National Children’s Science Centre will put Ireland on the map as a leader in science learning for young minds.
April: Discovery of a New Antibiotic Class
In April, researchers announced the discovery of an entirely new class of antibiotics effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria. These compounds target a protein called LpxH and have shown success in curing bloodstream infections in mice, marking a significant advancement in the fight against antibiotic resistance (Source: Science Daily).
May: Spectacular Northern Lights Illuminate Unusual Latitudes
In May, a powerful solar storm led to the rare appearance of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in regions much farther south than usual, including places in Ireland. This mesmerising display of colourful lights in the night sky provided a unique opportunity for children and adults alike to learn about solar activity and Earth's magnetic field. They give us a window into our sun's activity, space weather and Earth's magnetic field (Source: Irish Times).
June: Celebrating World Oceans Day - 8 June 2024.
The ocean sustains life on our planet and is central to nearly all of Earth's processes. As the world’s largest ecosystem, it is home to nearly one million known species and holds tremendous untapped potential for scientific discovery. This global event inspired countless activities, including hands-on projects, to deepen our appreciation for the oceans and their role in supporting life on Earth. Read more.
Closer to home, projects like the Galway Bay Restoration Project brought marine science to life for young learners. Children had the unique opportunity to snorkel with marine experts, witnessing first-hand the importance of ecosystem restoration. Read more.
July: Double Meteor Shower
In late July, skywatchers enjoyed the rare occurrence of two meteor showers—Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids—peaking simultaneously. This celestial event offered an extraordinary display of shooting stars and was visible in many parts of the world (Source: Earth.com).
August: First AI Education Summit
In August, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosted the AI & Education Summit, bringing together educators, researchers and technologists to explore the role of AI in advancing human learning. The summit emphasised the importance of integrating AI responsibly into educational settings, focusing on enhancing teaching and learning experiences. Read more.
2024 was the year when Artificial Intelligence became a real tool for learning. AI-powered platforms helped children visualise complex science concepts like never before.
September: Earth’s Temporary Mini-Moon
In September, Earth briefly gained a second moon when asteroid 2024 PT5 was temporarily captured by our planet's gravity. This "mini-moon," measuring around 37 feet in width, orbited the planet for nearly two months before returning to space in November. Although not visible to the naked eye, this celestial event provided a fun and educational topic for young astronomy enthusiasts (Source: CNN).
October: Fruit Fly Brain Mapped
In October, scientists achieved a groundbreaking feat by mapping every connection in a fruit fly’s brain—a staggering 50 million neural links! This tiny insect's brain holds clues to understanding human cognition, making it a brilliant reminder that sometimes the smallest things have the biggest impact. It's the most detailed analysis of the brain of an adult animal ever produced (Source: National Geographic).
November: Crossing the 1.5°C Climate Threshold
November brought a sobering reminder of climate change as global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement (Source: World Economic Forum). This milestone galvanised young climate activists and classroom eco-warriors to intensify efforts in combating environmental challenges.
November also saw Ireland’s Science Week light up the nation with inspiring events, workshops and hands-on activities. From cutting-edge discussions on renewable energy to engaging demonstrations of robotics and AI, the week celebrated the power of science to tackle global and local challenges. Read more.
December: 2024 Closes With One of The Year's Best Meteor Showers
December delivered a celestial treat with the Geminid meteor shower, one of the year’s most spectacular displays. Under optimal conditions, the Geminids can produce up to 150 meteors per hour, dazzling stargazers with their multi-coloured streaks of light. This year, however, a near-full moon dimmed the show, reducing visibility. Read more.
Despite the lunar interference, the Geminids reminded us of the wonder of the cosmos and the joy of pausing to look up at the night sky. For stargazers who caught the display, it was a magical way to close out the year!
As we look to 2025, one thing is clear: children are not just learning science—they’re living it. They are building, exploring, questioning and imagining the world as it could be. Whether it’s exploring space, saving the planet, or uncovering microscopic marvels, science is helping children connect with the world in ways that inspire hope and wonder.
Here at the National Children’s Science Centre, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to see, touch and experience the magic of science. Because who knows? The next big discovery might just come from a child tinkering with a homemade experiment at their kitchen table.
Here’s to another year full of questions, discoveries and wonder.
Happy New Year—and stay curious!
For press enquiries, please contact Lindsey Holmes Publicity at info@lhpublicity.ie or tel: 01 4970313.
