The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced today that 71 primary schools in Dublin will be awarded the Discover Science and Maths Award.
Led by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the programme aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among primary school students, parents, and teachers, nationwide in a fun and engaging way.
Commenting on the awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “I want to congratulate all the students and the teachers that have been successful in winning an SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths Award in Dublin. The projects this year covered several important topics that will inevitably impact every one of us including climate change, plastics, and technology.
“I know the last few years haven’t been easy for children but yet again, we have seen their imaginations remain alive and they are working together to help us solve the big challenges we all face.
“I really hope students and their teachers will keep engaging with programmes such as this one and developing science, technology and maths within the school. Because we need so many big ideas and bright people to help us navigate our way through the big problems we are all dealing with.”
The awards celebrate and recognise the participation of schools in hands-on, inquiry-based learning in the areas of STEM. This year, students focused on issues such as climate change, plastics, technology, and using STEM to solve everyday problems.
Congratulating the schools, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland, said: “It is great to again get the opportunity to celebrate and reward so many primary school students in Dublin, and their teachers, for their excellent contributions to the SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths programme. We are committed to breaking down barriers and finding ways to make learning both accessible and engaging. I hope that dated, stereotypical views of the types of people who work in STEM will soon be a thing of the past; as we look forward to the next generation of STEM workers and enthusiasts, we need to ensure that the full diversity of our society is reflected. There already is evidence of increasing levels of diversity amongst our research community, but more can still be done. Engaging with primary school students and their families is a key component to achieving this.”
The awards offer three categories for applicants: The Certificate of STEM, is aimed at schools starting out on the STEM journey and involves a minimum of two classes. The Plaque of STEM, which is for schools further along their STEM journey, involves at least half of the classes in the school. The Badge of Excellence is for schools that have already achieved the Plaque and have continued to demonstrate excellence in raising awareness of STEM in their communities. This year, 57 Dublin schools received the Plaque of STEM, while 5 received the Badge of Excellence, and 8 received the Certificate of STEM.
The virtual award ceremony was attended by teachers and students from over 200 schools all over the country and included a live science show marking the close of this year’s programme.
SFI, in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), offers free continuous professional development (CPD) in STEM for primary school teachers. The programme explores the topics of biodiversity, insulation, and space through inquiry-based learning. The three workshops will provide teachers with a framework and planning tools to deliver hands-on STEM learning in the classroom. This CPD can be carried out virtually via Zoom.
The recipient schools from Dublin who received Plaques of STEM are:
- St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School
- St. Declan’s Special School
- Hansfield Educate Together National School
- Scoil Mhuire, Dun Laoghaire
- St. Brigid’s Girls’ School
- St. Fiachra’s Senior National School
- St. Mary’s Boys National School
- St George’s National School
- Lucan Community National School
- Kiltiernan National School
- St Oliver Plunkett National School
- St Mary’s Boys National School, Lucan
- St Olaf’s National School
- St. Christopher’s Primary School
- St. Catherine’s National School
- North Dublin Muslim National School
- Harold Boys’ National School
- Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together National School
- Stapolin Educate Together National School
- St. Gabriels Primary School
- Mount Anville Montessori Junior School
- Presentation Primary School
- St Laurence’s National School
- Scoil Choilm Community National School
- St Eithne’s Senior Girls’ National School
- Clochar Lughaidh Naoidh
- Loreto College Junior School
- St. Kilian’s German National School
- St. Patrick’s Senior National School
- St. Ciarán’s National School
- Rathdown Junior School
- Scoil Aoife Community National School
- St. Kilian’s Junior School
- St. Raphaela’s Primary School
- St Helen’s Senior National School
- Scoil Ghrainne Community National School
- Pope John Paul II National School
- St Paul’s Special National School
- John Scottus National School
- St. Attracta’s Senior National School
- St Damian’s National School
- Scoil Carmel
- Lucan Educate Together National School
- St. Pius X Girls’ National School
- St Margaret’s National School
- Dalkey School Project
- Gaelscoil an Chuilinn
- Glenasmole National School
- St. Brigid’s Girls’ National School
- Castle Park School
- St Brigids Girls’ National School
- St. Mary’s National School
- Griffeen Valley Educate Together National School
- St. Paul’s Junior National School
- Gardiner Street Primary School
- Our Lady’s Grove Primary School
- St. Clare’s Primary School
The recipient schools from Dublin who received Badges of Excellence are:
- St. Michael’s College Junior School
- Lucan East Educate Together National School
- Scoil San Treasa
- Holy Family National School
- Holy Family National School
The recipient schools from Dublin who received Certificates of STEM are:
- Scoil Maelruain Junior
- Ballyboughal National School
- Scoil Náisiúnta Peadar agus Pol
- Harold’s Cross Educate Together National School
- Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School
- St Bernadette’s Junior National School
- Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School
- St Brendan’s Boys National School
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