Bugs, Drugs and Exploding Custard? Such are the weird and wonderful goodies on offer at "the first-ever fun science information day for all ages" which will be held next Sunday in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. It's a family event organised by Forbairt to mark the start of National Science Week.

Through a range of exciting exhibits and demonstrations on everything from exploding custard to the heartbeat of volcanoes, an awesome experience of the best of Irish science is up for grabs. Event organiser Clara Clark says that the day provides an opportunity to learn about global warming, edible seaweed, harp harmonic and how blood flows through the body.

"The exhibitors, who are mostly researchers from our third-level colleges, will use audio-visual aids and computer technology to make their projects userfriendly," says Clark. "A lot of the projects on display will be interactive. People are welcome to ask as many questions as they like and have the various scientific developments on display carefully explained to them."

The exhibits, supported by the National Research Support Fund Board, include a timely project on who is using Ecstacy and why. Even the ins and outs of all that wiggly ocean life can be explored through an aquarium installed especially for the occasion.

There will be a once-in-lifetime-notto-be-missed chance to meet the NASA operations team chief from the Mars Pathfinder mission and Rose of Tralee Sinead Lonergan. But by far the most exciting moment will be the live link-up with Dustin the Turkey in outer space - he heads off to his secret destination on Friday, and assuming all goes well, questions from the public will be relayed to Dustin through Ray D'Arcy.

Bugs, Drugs and Exploding Custard Discover the Best of Irish Science runs from 12noon to 6 p.m.