Lifetime Lab once again hosted a highly successful Water Open Day on Saturday 1st September. Families descended on the old waterworks facility in their hoards for what has become an annual celebration of water marking Water Heritage Day.

The O’Flynn family from Midleton finding out about Groundwater from Taly Williams.

Organised by Lifetime Lab Education Officers and staffed for the day by enthusiastic volunteers who work in water related jobs, the day aimed to help children and adults learn about water through a series of hands-on activities.

Daire Brady, Waterfall getting up close and personal with some Water Beasties.

The hugely popular Water Rocket was back, with hourly launches from the Lifetime Lab garden.

‘Hm. I wonder where this one will land’ – Robert O’Driscoll inspects the Water Rocket.

Una Leader, Lifetime Lab Education Officer getting soaked by the Water Rocket.

The bubbles were bigger and better this year with giant bubbles being generated by old and young using an ingenious combination of drinking straws and string.

Conor O’Driscol, Cobh demonstrating the art of giant bubble blowing.

The South Western River Basin District Project personnel returned with their ‘Water Beasties’, Cork City Council provided an excellent stand on water conservation and leak detection and Cork County Councils Environmental Awareness and Education Unit Water Worksheets were are great hit with parents, teachers and children.

Edel Lee, Lifetime Lab Education Officer, runs the interactive Water Quiz.

Volunteers also included representatives from An Taisces ‘Green Schools’ Programme, Hydrogeologists from White Young Green, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Department of Geology, University College Cork.

Tara Murphy, Lee Road forever blowing bubbles.

With the start of the new school year Lifetime Lab will again be open to Primary School children from 3rd to 6th class for science workshops. Last years programme proved extremely popular, and schools are advised to book early this year to avoid disappointment.
Lifetime Lab will also be running an after school Science Club for 10 to 12 year olds. For an hour a week for 6 weeks, children can expand their interest in science through a series of hands on activities.

For further information on events and activities at Lifetime Lab log on to www.lifetimelab.ie, email lifetimelab@corkcity.ie or tel 021 4941500. Lifetime Lab is located at the old Cork Waterworks on the Lee Road, is fully wheelchair accessible, and also has a coffee dock, picnic area and children’s playground.
Lifetime Lab would like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday to come and put on such a wonderful show for Water Heritage Day.