Hundreds of primary school pupils from across Northern Ireland and the border counties gathered at ICC Belfast on Tuesday 5 May to take part in ESB Science Blast, one of Ireland’s largest STEM engagement programmes, celebrating curiosity, creativity and hands-on scientific discovery.
Led by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), ESB Science Blast is a free and inclusive educational initiative that empowers children aged 8–12 to design, carry out and present their own scientific investigations in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment.
This year’s Belfast showcase welcomed 19 schools from across Northern Ireland and neighbouring counties, with pupils presenting 28 STEM-related projects exploring simple yet thought-provoking scientific questions. From testing everyday myths and investigating the science of sound, light and water, to exploring how music, food and environmental conditions can influence behaviour and growth, the projects demonstrated the natural curiosity, creativity and innovation of young learners.
Since launching in 2019, ESB Science Blast has engaged more than 100,000 students across events in Belfast, Dublin and Limerick, with more than 17,000 pupils participating annually.
Unlike traditional science competitions, ESB Science Blast focused on participation rather than prizes, with every class receiving constructive feedback and recognition for their work. The programme also promoted accessibility and inclusion, maintaining near gender parity while supporting participation from DEIS schools and Irish-medium education settings, helping to broaden access to STEM learning.
The Belfast event came at a time when global industries are being transformed by artificial intelligence, climate innovation and advanced technologies, highlighting the growing importance of nurturing curiosity, problem-solving and scientific thinking from an early age.
As Northern Ireland continued to build its reputation as a hub for innovation and technology, initiatives such as ESB Science Blast played an important role in inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers and technology leaders - strengthening the future skills pipeline for decades to come.
Read the Spring 2026 edition free online →
Stay connected with NI's tech community:
