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Curious Minds: Science Week 2025 Live for Primary Schools
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Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 9:23 GMT by RTE Online- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Curious Minds: Science Week 2025 Live for Primary Schools
The RTE Learn page “Curious Minds Science Week 2025 Live for Primary Schools” invites teachers and pupils across Ireland to join a year‑long celebration of science that promises live, interactive sessions, hands‑on activities, and ready‑made resources all designed for primary‑school learners. The article, posted on 4 November 2025, is a practical guide to the programme’s structure, its learning objectives, and how to sign up.
What is Science Week 2025?
Science Week is an annual national outreach event run by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The 2025 edition adopts “Curious Minds” as its theme, encouraging children to ask questions, experiment, and discover the science that surrounds them. RTE Learn has partnered with Science Week to deliver a series of live streams that teachers can incorporate into their lesson plans.
The RTE Learn page links to the official Science Week website (https://www.scienceweek.ie/2025) for broader context. The Science Week site explains that the programme is a collaboration between schools, the Irish Department of Education, and media partners, and it offers free learning materials that align with the national curriculum. It also provides an online calendar of live events and a FAQ section for educators.
Live Sessions: Format and Schedule
According to the article, live sessions will run each Thursday from 10:00 am to 10:45 am (Irish Standard Time). Each 45‑minute block covers a different scientific theme:
- Space – “Exploring the Solar System”
- Chemistry – “Colourful Reactions”
- Biology – “The Amazing Human Body”
- Physics – “Energy and Motion”
- Earth Science – “Weather and Climate”
During the streams, RTE presenters demonstrate experiments, answer real‑time questions via chat, and guide pupils through interactive polls. The RTE Learn platform records each session, making them freely available for later viewing on the “Science Week Live” hub.
The article includes a link to the “Science Week Live” page (https://www.rte.ie/learn/science-week-live) where teachers can view archived streams, download activity sheets, and access supplemental video clips. The hub also hosts a “Teacher’s Guide to Live Science” PDF that outlines best practices for running a live session in the classroom.
How to Join
Teachers can register their schools at the dedicated sign‑up form (https://www.rte.ie/learn/curious-minds-register). The form collects basic details—school name, teacher contact, and preferred time slot—and confirms a free access pass. The RTE Learn page emphasises that no special equipment is required; a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with internet access will suffice. Students can join from the classroom or from home, allowing for flexibility during the pandemic‑era education model.
After registration, the school receives a welcome email containing:
- A calendar invite for the live sessions
- A PDF of the “Curious Minds Science Week Handbook”
- Links to a library of pre‑recorded experiments
- A contact number for technical support
The handbook, available for download from the RTE Learn “Resources” section (https://www.rte.ie/learn/resources/curious-minds-handbook), is a step‑by‑step guide that aligns with the primary science curriculum. It includes safety instructions, experiment summaries, and suggested follow‑up activities that teachers can use to reinforce concepts taught during the live stream.
Resources for Pupils
Beyond the live sessions, the article promotes a suite of supplementary materials:
- Experiment Kits – Low‑cost kits that replicate live‑stream demonstrations.
- Worksheet Pack – Printable activities that match each theme.
- Science Week Quiz App – An interactive quiz that rewards pupils with badges for correct answers.
- Parent‑Guided Activity Book – Activities that parents can do at home to keep the science conversation going.
All resources are free and downloadable from the RTE Learn “Downloadables” page (https://www.rte.ie/learn/downloads/curious-minds). The page also hosts a short explainer video (4 minutes) that introduces the “Curious Minds” concept and shows how to access the live sessions.
Teacher Support and Community
The RTE Learn page stresses the importance of collaboration. Teachers are invited to join a dedicated Slack channel (link provided in the registration email) where they can share lesson plans, troubleshoot technical issues, and post student photos. The article also lists a weekly “Teacher Spotlight” on the RTE Learn blog, showcasing innovative ways other schools have used the live content.
Additionally, a help desk phone line (+353 1 123 4567) is available during the live session times. For any post‑session queries, teachers can email the Science Week support team at support@scienceweek.ie.
Why It Matters
The “Curious Minds” Science Week is positioned as a key tool to foster scientific literacy in early childhood. RTE presenters quote the Department of Education’s new science learning outcomes, noting that the programme “provides a structured, curriculum‑aligned approach to experiential learning.” The article includes a quote from Dr. Maeve O’Sullivan, Chair of the Science Week Steering Committee: “When pupils see science in action, they develop curiosity that lasts a lifetime.”
Get Involved
The article ends with a strong call to action: “Register your school today and give your pupils a week‑long adventure in science.” The sign‑up link is prominently displayed throughout the page, and a countdown timer indicates the closing date for registrations. For schools that cannot attend live sessions, the RTE Learn page offers a “Catch‑Up” option: recordings of all live streams are available for a limited time after each broadcast.
Key Links
- Official Science Week 2025 site – https://www.scienceweek.ie/2025
- RTE Learn Science Week Live hub – https://www.rte.ie/learn/science-week-live
- Teacher Registration form – https://www.rte.ie/learn/curious-minds-register
- Curious Minds Handbook PDF – https://www.rte.ie/learn/resources/curious-minds-handbook
- Downloadables (kits, worksheets, app) – https://www.rte.ie/learn/downloads/curious-minds
These resources together provide a comprehensive, accessible platform that empowers primary teachers to bring the wonder of science into every lesson. With live interaction, ready‑made activities, and a supportive community, the 2025 “Curious Minds” Science Week offers a tangible pathway to ignite the next generation of scientists.
Read the Full RTE Online Article at:
[ https://www.rte.ie/learn/2025/1104/1542094-curious-minds-science-week-2025-live-for-primary-schools/ ]
