The Odyssey Trust Announces Return of Science and Discovery Month Ahead of Friendship Four

Returning for its eighth year this November, the packed programme of hands-on workshops, shows, and events will highlight innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Each year, Science and Discovery Month captures the imagination of young people across Northern Ireland, encouraging them to see themselves as the innovators of tomorrow.

Supported by a range of industry partners, including the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, The King’s Trust, The Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland, Science and Discovery Month aims to build on The Odyssey Trust and W5’s charitable commitment to lifelong and community engagement, offering unique and inspiring events for schools and the public.

Victoria Denoon, Head of W5, said: "Science and Discovery Month is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and community. It’s a chance for young people to engage in hands on-experiences that reveal how STEM shapes the world around us — from the technology we use to the sports we love. Each year, we see how these activities spark imagination and build confidence in everyday life. As we look ahead to W5’s 25th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to inspiring the next generation to explore new ideas, develop future-ready skills, and see STEM as a powerful force for positive change across Northern Ireland and beyond.”

Throughout Science and Discovery Month, programming will cover an array of topics, including construction, sustainability, coding, space exploration, and cybersecurity. The month-long series of events will culminate with ‘The Big STEM Day’, which will see W5 open its doors to hundreds of local schoolchildren, providing free access to over 250 hands-on exhibits, before they make their way to The SSE Arena for the opening game of the Friendship Four between the Union Garrett Chargers and the Sacred Heart Pioneers.

Steve Thornton, Sports Director at The Odyssey Trust, commented: "The Friendship Four is about more than just great ice hockey – it’s about inspiring the next generation. Education and engagement are central to what we do at The Odyssey Trust, and the tournament provides an incredible platform to connect sport with learning. By using the excitement of the Friendship Four to spark interest in STEM, we’re giving young people the chance to develop life skills that go far beyond the classroom and showing them that learning can be fun, relevant, and accessible to everyone.”

Founded by The Odyssey Trust and held annually at The SSE Arena, Belfast, the Friendship Four is the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ice hockey tournament to take place outside of North America. Since its inception in 2015, the tournament has become a flagship event in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar, bringing world-class collegiate hockey to Belfast while promoting education, cultural exchange, and community engagement. The 2025 iteration of the Friendship Four will see the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Miami University, and Union College go head-to-head for the Belpot Trophy at the home of the Belfast Giants over Thanksgiving weekend on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November.

The high-profile tournament is designed to promote education, social welfare, and community interaction, building on the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston, signed a decade ago. The agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural exchanges, and educational linkages between the two cities, as well as to increase awareness of Belfast and Boston being growth cities in the connected health and life sciences, creative industries, tourism, financial services, and knowledge economy sectors.

For more information about the Science and Discovery Month and to discover the full programme of events, please click here.