Dublin school pupils talk to International Space Station

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland’s largest university for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, has launched SPACEFest 2025, a four-day public festival that will transform the University’s Grangegorman campus into a hands-on learning centre to discover space from the 4^th to the 7th June this year.

A centrepiece of SPACEFest, which runs until Saturday, 07 June 2025, was a live Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact that took place on Wednesday. Twelve pupils from nine Dublin DEIS primary schools, all participants in the programme, enjoyed a ten-minute window to ask questions directly to JAXA astronaut and ISS Commander Takuya Onishi while he orbited Earth at 27,600 km/h.

President of TU Dublin, Dr Deirdre Lillis, said, “as Ireland’s largest university for STEM education, TU Dublin is proud to once again connect our youngest learners with the wonders of space. Initiatives like SPACEFest and the ARISS space call reflect our commitment to pushing the boundaries of educational innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.”

SPACEFest was created by the Access and Outreach team at TU Dublin. It is an extension of Try Five +, a successful initiative funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, ESERO, and the Department of Education and Skills that inspires primary school students in DEIS schools to explore and engage with STEAM through the exciting theme of space.

Graham Abell, Vice President, Software Engineering & Ireland Site Lead, said “providing students with unique, interactive learning experiences is key to cultivating their curiosity and sparking a passion for science and innovation. We’re proud to partner with TU Dublin on SPACEFest once again, delivering opportunities we hope will help foster Ireland’s next generation of forward-thinkers.”

The DEIS school pupils that participating in the call are from Sacred Heart Killinarden, Stanhope Street Primary, Christ the King Boys, Christ the King Girls, St Paul’s Primary, Paradise Place Educate Together, St Gabriel’s NS, St Philip’s Primary, Scoil Mhuire Senior, Cnoc Mhuire Senior, and Lady’s Well Primary.