Circus Science by the Sea on Tour
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€28,255
- Organisation:Circus250 Productions
- Audience:General Public
- Format:Informal Education
- Location:donegal;galway;mayo;sligo
- Topic:STEAM
Project Summary
Circus Science by the Sea on Tour takes science engagement to rural West Coast communities where science capital is low. It continues and spreads the work of Circus Science by the Sea Festival (Nov 24) to build conversation and create fun, relevant, excellent science experiences (rather than events) with and for rural communities, in the tradition of bringing circus to you, rather than you having to come to ‘us’. It focusses on interests and concerns shared by these communities – eg welfare of the ocean, environmental damage – and celebrates their expertise – eg construction/engineering/agricultural practices. The first ’24 Circus Science Tour (currently underway) is taking popular, established science shows, activities and workshops to five rural communities. This second ’25 Circus Science Tour is in two parts; three new communities (Geesala peninsula, Bangor Erris, Inishowen peninsula), two returning communities (Ballycroy, Curraun) to further develop relationships and conversations began on the first Tour.
Our company is majority women – both scientists and circus performers – who provide positive, stereotype-smashing examples of who counts as a scientist, and what they look and sound like. We are a CIC company with all-female management team. All the Tour’s activities take place in local spaces – community halls, pubs, GAA pitches, fields, beaches. All involve open conversation before, during and after. All activity is relaxed, providing for a diverse range of participants. They are all fun.
The Tour takes place over four weekends in May/June 2025, adapted to whether it is a returning or new community.