Then. Today. Tomorrow: Science Week highlights across RTE

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  Science and Technology on Fri, Nov 07th, 2025 by RTE Online

RTE’s “Futureville” Brings Science to Life for Irish Families During Science Week 2025

For the 2025 edition of Science Week, the Irish broadcaster RT E has rolled out a fresh, family‑friendly science programme that promises to turn curious children into budding scientists. The show, titled Futureville, is slated to air on RT E TV during the week of 9–15 November, and its official launch page on the RT E Learn portal—Science Week 2025: RT E Futureville Ireland TV—details how the series will engage audiences through a mix of live experiments, interactive challenges, and real‑world science stories.

The Premise of Futureville

At its core, Futureville is a one‑hour, weekly show designed for viewers aged 6‑12. Each episode centres around a single theme, ranging from “The Secrets of Space” to “The Mysteries of DNA.” The programme is structured in a modular format: a 15‑minute “Discovery” segment that introduces a scientific concept; a 20‑minute “Experiment” slot where the host and a guest scientist conduct a live demonstration; and a 15‑minute “Kids’ Corner” where children from home submit their own experiments, photos, and questions.

The show’s creative team—headed by producer Claire Gallagher, who has previously worked on RT E’s award‑winning science series Sparks—has crafted a narrative arc that mirrors the progression of a real scientific project. Viewers begin with a question, observe evidence, formulate hypotheses, test their ideas, and finally draw conclusions. By framing science as a process rather than a collection of facts, Futureville aims to foster critical thinking and scientific literacy from an early age.

Hosts and Guest Scientists

The programme’s on‑screen presenter is Emily McGonagall, a former STEM educator turned RT E television personality. McGonagall brings a blend of enthusiasm and relatability, speaking directly to the child audience in a conversational tone that keeps them engaged while still respecting their intelligence. “I want the kids to see that science isn’t some distant, inaccessible field—it’s all around them, and they can actually do it,” McGonagall says on the Futureville page.

Each episode features a different expert guest. For example, the inaugural episode highlights Dr. Aoife O’Reilly, a professor of astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin, who demonstrates how to create a “mini‑solar system” using everyday household items. The second episode brings in Dr. Brendan McCarthy, a molecular biologist, who shows kids how to extract DNA from strawberries. These collaborations provide authentic scientific credibility while keeping the content approachable.

Interactive Features and Digital Extensions

One of Futureville’s standout features is its integration with the RT E Learn website. After each broadcast, the show’s website hosts downloadable experiment kits, step‑by‑step guides, and safety checklists that allow parents to recreate the experiments at home. The website also includes a “Futureville Challenge” leaderboard, encouraging families to upload videos of their completed projects and earn badges.

The programme’s producers also plan a companion mobile app, “Futureville Labs,” where children can virtually assemble experiments using augmented reality. Though still in development, early demos of the app let users “mix” virtual chemicals and watch the reactions unfold in 3‑D, providing a safe and immersive learning experience.

Science Week 2025 Context

Science Week is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that takes place across Europe in late October and early November. In Ireland, the event is supported by the Department of Education, the Science Foundation Ireland, and various media partners. The RT E Futureville page links to the broader Science Week 2025 page, which lists additional events, podcasts, and interactive tools across the RT E Learn platform. These resources range from a “Build‑a‑Rocket” workshop to a “Citizen Science” data‑collection challenge, providing a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures science curiosity beyond the televised programme.

Production Values and Partnerships

The series was produced in collaboration with RT E Studios and the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG). The partnership allows Futureville to tap into cutting‑edge research projects at NUIG, such as the “Smart Farming Initiative” and the “Galactic Archaeology Project,” and showcase how university‑level science can have everyday applications. Additionally, the show partners with the Irish Meteorological Service (Met Éireann) for weather‑related segments, offering children a chance to see how data collection and modelling translate into accurate forecasts.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Recognising the importance of inclusivity, Futureville incorporates several accessibility features. All episodes are subtitled in both English and Irish, and the programme uses clear, high‑contrast visuals to support viewers with visual impairments. The on‑screen narrator provides audio descriptions for key actions, and the digital resources are designed with mobile‑first principles to reach families in rural or remote areas.

Early Reception and Future Plans

Although Futureville has yet to air its first episode, the RT E Learn page reports that the series has already attracted interest from several primary schools across Ireland, which have signed up for early‑bird viewing events. A preliminary survey of parents who have previewed the pilot indicates a high level of enthusiasm for the hands‑on approach and the focus on real‑world science questions.

Looking ahead, the production team plans to expand Futureville beyond the Science Week window. Future seasons are slated to explore more advanced topics—such as quantum computing and bio‑engineering—while maintaining the same child‑centric format. The RT E Learn portal is already hinting at a spin‑off web series titled Futureville Labs, where children will be invited to submit their own science projects, which will then be showcased on the show.

Conclusion

RT E’s Futureville represents a bold step toward making science accessible, engaging, and interactive for Ireland’s next generation. By blending live television with digital interactivity, expert collaboration, and a child‑first narrative, the programme sets a new standard for educational content during Science Week. Whether a kid is fascinated by rockets, DNA, or the simple physics behind a jumping frog, Futureville invites them to ask questions, experiment, and ultimately become part of the scientific community. The RT E Learn page Science Week 2025: RT E Futureville Ireland TV offers a comprehensive snapshot of the show’s ambitions, making it a must‑visit resource for parents, teachers, and anyone interested in the future of science education in Ireland.