Exploding custard, something not normally associated with the serious world of third-level education, will be the focus of attention at the Limerick Science Fair at the city's university tomorrow.
Dr Ian Russell, of the British company Interactive Science Ltd, will give two live demonstrations of this rare event as well as demonstrating do-it-yourself kitchen-table science experiments.
These may not be welcomed by parents, depending on how willing they are to share the kitchen with their budding scientists.
This light-hearted approach to science will prevail for the afternoon as part of the Limerick Science Fair. A free event for all the family, it starts at 12.15 p.m. with a chemistry magic show. Dr Ray Plevey of the University of Birmingham promises "an exciting kaleidoscope of chemical reactions - a collection of elements which compounded together make us and our world".
The fair ends with a 5 p.m. presentation of Dell computers to the winners of a school poster competition and a visitor's raffle.
A helicopter display by the Irish Coastguard will be followed by a civil defence display presentation.
Two talks on the use of science to combat crime will be given by Dr Jim Donovan, the head of the Forensics Laboratory.
These events all have a specific time, but if you miss them, there are plenty of others running throughout the afternoon.
The Army Ordnance Corps will demonstrate how it uses robots to detect and dismantle explosive devices and the Naval Service will give a presentation. The Planetarium Show by Science Works gives a run-down on the heavens, and there is even a chance for some to try an underwater dive.
Live music will be heard all afternoon, including jazz and traditional, and there will be face-painting and a puppet show for the younger audiences.
On a business note, many companies in the region will have stands, and both the University of Limerick and the Limerick Institute of Technology will be giving information on their science courses.
It's all part of National Science Week, which ends tomorrow evening. The fair will be opened by the Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Noel Treacy, at 1 p.m.
If all that talk of science leaves you feeling ecologically minded, park your car and avail of the free shuttle bus from the centre of Limerick city to the fair, sponsored by Bus ╔ireann.