Harness Friendship Four & Science & Discovery Month Launches for 2022

Returning for its six year this November, in the run up to and beyond the Harness Friendship Four ice hockey tournament, the packed programme of workshops, shows and events will highlight innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Supported by tech company, Harness and a range of industry partners, the programme will build upon The Odyssey Trust and W5’s commitment to lifelong learning, and community engagement, offering engaging and inspiring events for schools and the public. Bringing young people from communities across Northern Ireland together, through the power of collaborative learning and sport, the month-long series of events, workshops and events will help to engage and inspire young minds around the role of STEM in sport and society.

Events will cover a wide range of subjects including sustainability, experimental archaeology, cyber security, and construction career pathways. Harness will also host a special ‘Fantastic Females’ event exploring opportunities for women in tech, with an emphasis on coding.

Throughout November, W5’s interactive daily science shows bring learning to life with fun and interactive demonstrations that will excite and inspire audiences of all ages, with a range of shows exploring STEM and sport themed subjects.

Commenting on the launch, Judith Harvey, Group Head of Education and Public Engagement, The Odyssey Trust said: “Science & Discovery Month is celebrating six years in 2022 and we’re thrilled to be back, working with industry partners like Harness, to deliver an outstanding programme of activities, featuring exciting and innovative events that will engage and inspire young minds.

"As a charity, our overarching aim is to hold, manage, safeguard and develop the investment in the Odyssey Project for the benefit of all of the people of Northern Ireland. This initiative has seen a new era evolve for Odyssey as sport meets STEM, and has involved a wide range of partners from across Northern Ireland, the UK, Ireland and USA working together to engage and inspire our young people.”

Commenting on the launch, Andrew Magill, Talent Acquisition Lead, Europe, Harness said: “We are proud to sponsor the Friendship Four and Science & Discovery Month. Sport and science are intrinsically linked and technology has a key role to play in driving performance and social engagement. The Harness Friendship Four tournament and Science & Discovery Month will provide a unique opportunity to bring young people together to learn new skills and discover the combined power of sport and STEM in a fun and engaging environment.”

The high-profile Harness Friendship Four tournament, organised by The Odyssey Trust will bring four top U.S. college hockey teams - UMass Lowell River Hawks, Massachusetts Minutemen (UMass), Quinnipiac Bobcats and Dartmouth Big Green - together to compete for the coveted Belpot Trophy at The SSE Arena, Belfast over Thanksgiving weekend (Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November 2022).

The first and only NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division One tournament to take place outside the United States, the Harness Friendship Four 2022 promises two packed days of high energy, fast-paced hockey in the heart of Belfast.

Supported by partners, Harness, Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, Microsoft, Northern Irish Connections, Tourism Ireland, and Cara Travel, The Odyssey Trust has allocated hundreds of free tournament tickets for schools and community groups across Northern Ireland. The college teams will also conduct a select number of school visits when they are in town.

Discover the programme of events below, and on the Science & Discovery Month page here.