Fota Wildlife Park has confirmed the return of its annual summer educational weekends, a programme of interactive, family-oriented events set to run across July and August.
The three themed weekends covering science, native species, and insect life will be held at Fota Wildlife Park’s Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) and are included with entry.
This year’s programme opens with the Wild Science Weekend on 12th and 13th July featuring a range of interactive displays, talks, and demonstrations designed to make science topics accessible to all ages. Exhibitors include the Tyndall Institute, Irish Bee Conservation Project and The Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks, presenting hands-on activities such as MathsWorks and VEX Robotics. A highlight of the event will be a giant, walk-through model of the human digestive system, created by UCC’s Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, offering an immersive look at how food moves through the body. Fota Wildlife Park’s Education Team will guide visitors through science experiments exploring water, light, and magnetism.
Later in the month, the Native Species Weekend, scheduled for 26th and 27th July, will focus on Ireland’s rich biodiversity, with a series of interactive exhibits and biofacts highlighting the country’s native wildlife and conservation efforts. Among the organisations taking part are Fota Wildlife Park’s Education team, Dublin Zoo (Sunday only), Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Nature Network Ireland, Irish Bee Conservation Project, Atlantic Technological University, Galway, Wildlife Rescue Cork, Breeding Waders EIP, East Cork Beekeepers, Seal Rescue Ireland and The Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks. Fota Wildlife Park’s Education Team will provide additional insights through biodiversity-focused stands that will help to raise awareness of Ireland’s native species and the importance of protecting their habitats.
August 16th and 17th will see the return of the Bug Bonanza Weekend. The event will focus on invertebrate biodiversity, including talks and displays on insect life both native and exotic. Highlights include exhibits from the Irish Bee Conservation Project, as well as insights from Fota Wildlife Park’s zoologists and education team. Visitors can also view an extensive collection of preserved invertebrates on loan from University College Cork (UCC), including the moth with the largest wingspan- the Atlas moth.
Speaking about the events, Aileen Tennant, the director of Fota Wildlife Park, said “Fota Wildlife Park, a conservation charity, aims to inspire people to understand and conserve the natural world through conservation education and one of the great tools we have to engage our visitors is the summer series of educational weekends. We want to spark curiosity and connect visitors with science, nature and wildlife. These weekends give families a chance to explore complex ideas in a hands-on, accessible way, with the help of expert partners from across science, academic and conservation fields.
Fota Wildlife Park protects endangered species through dedicated conservation efforts and educates the public about the importance of biodiversity. As a living classroom, through initiatives like these interactive educational weekends, Fota Wildlife Park aims to raise awareness of endangered species, foster a culture of conservation, and inspire every visitor to become a lifelong guardian of the natural world.”
The educational weekend events will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and will be based in the sustainably built ECRC. No booking is required for the events, walk in only, and all activities are included in the price of entry to Fota Wildlife Park. Face painting will also be available, free of charge, from 12 noon to 2.45 p.m. for each of the Educational weekends at the ECRC.
Due to popular demand, the Panoramic Wheel will remain on site at Fota Wildlife Park throughout the summer months. This optional experience is priced from €5 per person and tickets can be purchased separately at the dedicated booth.
Fota Wildlife Park is open daily from 9.30 am. Online booking is available on www.fotawildlife.ie.
Image credits: Darragh Kane
