RTÉ will mark Science Week's 30th Anniversary with a range of future-focused programming and content across television, radio and online from Sunday, 9 to Sunday, 16 November in support of this year's theme - Then. Today. Tomorrow.
Science Week on RTÉ leads with a second series of Futureville Ireland which explores some of the big ideas from Irish scientists that could shape Ireland’s first future city in 2050 - watch the promo up top.
And we have so much more great shows and content across all our platforms. Keep scrolling to see what what's on offer this Science Week on RTÉ - supported by Research Ireland/ Taighde Éireann.
Futureville Ireland
Our flagship show, Futureville Ireland, is back for a second series and presenters Carla O’Brien and Dr Lollie Mancey are ready explore even further their vision for a city of the future for Ireland. Last year we reimagined the midlands town of Athlone as a brand-new city for the year 2050.
In Futureville, the best of the old town would be rejuvenated, while brand new neighbourhoods and transport networks would be added. The response to last year’s series sees Carla and Lollie back again to show us that Futureville isn’t simply a pipe dream but a real possibility.
Futureville Ireland starts Tuesday, 11 November at 7pm on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player and continues on Wednesday and Thursday - same time, same channel!
The Today Show
Of course, Dáithí, Maura, Sinead and all the gang from The Today Show are getting in on the fun. There will be science fun alongside the usual mix of entertainment and celebrity news, consumer advice, and Ireland's biggest giveaways.
On Thursday's show they will be joined in studio by Futureville Ireland presenters Carla O'Brien and Dr Lollie Mancey.
Weekdays at 3.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
10 Things to Know About
In this Science Week episode of 10 Things to Know About, Kathriona Devereux, Amy Hassett and Fergus McAuliffe shine a light on the science that shapes and connects us all - from our health and homes to the planet we share.
Tune in to RTÉ One at 8.30pm on Monday, 10 November - or stream it on RTÉ Player.
From the RTÉ Archives
Marking the 30th anniversary of Science Week, RTÉ Archives dips into its vast repository of material assembled through the decades and reveals how we reported the future back in the past.
This will include:
- A 1975 Newsround report on how a Wexford farmer is using the wind to generate energy to light his home and power farm equipment.
- An RTÉ News report from 2012 in which NUI Maynooth had developed a team of football playing robots, ROBO Éireann.
- A 1981 RTÉ News report which looked at whether a bicycle with a motor offer an alternative form of transport.
Visit the official RTÉ Archives site for more!
RTÉ Online
Every day on next week on RTÉ Brainstorm you can get a sneak peek of the show as experts dive into the facts and big ideas to show us the science.
And there is a dedicated website for Science Week where you can see all the content available.
And RTÉ Weather will provide a number of special climate-themed bulletins and forecasts right throughout Science Week.
For Young Scientists
RTÉ has lots on offer for younger viewers too. Auntie B’s Fantastic Facts is coming in 2026, but in advance of this new series, we have five episodes available exclusively for Science Week. As the name suggests, it’s jam-packed with facts as kids celebrate amazing scientific discoveries.
Let’s Find Out - made with support from our friends at Taighde Éireann, is full of exciting experiments and more. Join Captain Zoom and her crew of scientists Amy Hassett and Mark Langtry for some STEM-tastic fun. Teachers can get lesson plans here.
On What’s Next?, kids from all over Ireland, with a little help from some influencers, compete to come up with ideas that will save the Earth. There are some amazing ideas, and we have classroom resources too.
Take off with Space Camp Challenge. Follow eight Irish teens as they find out what it takes to be a real-life astronaut, training for a mission to Mars at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight. Made with support from Taighde Éireann.
And there’s more. Come and meet the Atoms of Atom Town to explore the magic and wonder of the universe. In The Scavengers we see Ireland in the year 3000, the crew are the first humans to live on earth in 1000 years. What will life be like then?
Stream them all this Science Week on RTÉ Player – www.rte.ie/player/kids
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The Sound of Science with RTÉ Kids Podcasts
The RTÉ Kids Podcast team have lots of great content too! Let's Dive In returns with Phil Smyth and Julie Gould for a fourth season of answering questions, big and small, asked by children. From "How does a car move?" to "How come hedgehogs can hibernate and humans can't?" we have every base covered."
If you want to know about the world of AI, RTÉ’s first podcast dedicated to decoding it all is called Cookie Bytes. We look forward to a cleaner, greener future with the help of the next generation. Get inspired by Ecolution and make a real change in your community with Our Sustainable Village.
Over three seasons, The Science of Sense, started looking at your physical senses, then the natural elements and moved on to food, glorious food.
Listen and subscribe at www.rte.ie/rtejrpodcasts
More to Stream this Science Week on RTÉ Player
RTÉ Player is rich with science-themed content available to stream. The highlights include:
- Futureville Ireland
- Heated
- 10 Things to Know About
- Game Changer: AI & You
- Big Life Fix
- The End of the World with Beanz
- What Planet Are You On
- Father of the Cyborgs
- Birdsong
- Ireland’s Coast
- The Island
- Future Island Live
- The Change: Ireland’s Menopause Story
- Rising Tides: Ireland’s Future in a Warmer World
- Losing Alaska
Science Week on RTÉ is supported by Research Ireland/ Taighde Éireann. For more information about on Science Week on RTÉ, see www.rte.ie/scienceweek.
