Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, and Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, have today announced a €5 million investment in 38 projects which encourage understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Six UCD projects have been funded through the SFI Discover Programme this year. The funding will create greater public awareness of the impact of STEM on society and everyday life, generate opportunities for dialogue and encourage diversity in STEM-related disciplines.
Announcing the funding, Minister Harris TD said: “These initiatives, involving the general public and our communities across primary, secondary and third-level education, are essential to fostering curiosity about science, technology, engineering and maths. This investment will help to broaden participation in STEM – both geographically and amongst less represented voices – and inspire all generations to deepen their understanding of what learnings, studies and careers in these fields entails. In turn, the next generation, in particular, will be better engaged and empowered to share their ideas and solutions to societal challenges.”
In relation to the projects co-funded by the Department of Education, Minister Foley said: “The Department of Education is delighted to collaborate once again with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through the SFI Discover Programme. STEM subjects encourage learners’ innate curiosity about how the world works, and I’m confident that support of these 38 initiatives will inspire the students involved to continue their studies in this area. I wish all of the project teams every success in their work over the coming months.”
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director, Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland, said: “SFI is very proud of the Discover Programme and we are delighted to support these 38 projects to expand the reach of STEM and broaden participation and engagement. This programme is a key part of our education and public engagement strategy. Increasing engagement among less represented voices in STEM is vital to providing the diverse talent needed to take on societal challenges and to shape our future in Ireland. SFI is passionate about removing barriers to participation in STEM and providing learners with opportunities to engage. I look forward to seeing the achievements of these projects over the coming months.”
UCD-led projects funded by the SFI Discover Programme:
Dr Katie Gilligan-Lee, UCD School of Psychology: Junior Engineer Development Initiative (JEDI)
Using the latest research evidence in cognitive and social psychology, alongside best practices in educational intervention, this project provides training for 6th class learners, developing their knowledge of engineering skills and careers and debunking engineer stereotypes. It aims to encourage more children, across diverse backgrounds, to pursue engineering subjects and engineering careers.
Dr Eadaoin Mc Kiernan, UCD School of Medicine, Systems Biology Ireland (SBI): Let’s chat medicine: An innovative PEI cycle in health-related research
This project aims to revolutionise the way Personalised Medicine is communicated to the public. The programme will use SBI’s research knowledge to engage with young people and co-create Personalised Medicine stories with impact, using educational tools, digital media, and both traditional and non-traditional arts as methods for communication.
Dr Rachel Farrell, UCD School of Education: Busting Gender Bias in Computer Science and Cyber Security
Blending STEM with the arts and humanities and utilising immersive technology alongside P4C (Philosophy for Children) and storytelling method, this project aims to bridge the gender gap in computer science and cyber security. It will provide role models who ignite ambition in girls, partner with teachers, teacher educators and government and industry partners to provide sustained support and enhance STEM educators’ skills. It aims to empower young girls to pursue careers in computer science and cybersecurity with confidence and belief in their abilities and inspire the next generation of STEM women leaders in Ireland and beyond.
Professor Amanda McCann, UCD School of Medicine, UCD Conway Institute: Cut from the Same Cloth: Engaging Minority Communities in STEM
Research should be shaped by the many diverse voices in Ireland today. This project will engage women and girls from minority communities in health research, establishing connections between communities and researchers. It will build trust in an open, equitable and accessible way through community-based workshops involving textiles, and co-creation of an exhibition about these connections, curated by artist Lorna Donlon.
Michael Golden, I-Form: Taiscéalaí 2.0 - 3D Printing and Sustainability for Primary Schools
Taiscéalaí – coming from the Irish word for ‘explorer’ – is an initiative which expands the reach and improves the quality of 3D printing education across Ireland at the primary school level. This is a continuation of an existing partnership between I-Form, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), Creative Spark and Inspire3D. Through co-creation workshops with teachers, the project developed a 3D Printing Teacher’s Guide and Student Workbook and schools involved received a 3D printer. The project team will now expand the scope through increased engagement with new schools and younger age groups.
Dr David McKeown, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dublin Maker Festival
Dublin Maker is a free, family friendly, community run event, taking the form of a “show and tell” experience where inventors/makers sourced through an open call, showcase their creations in a carnival atmosphere. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors. Dublin Maker’s mission is to entertain, inform and connect the makers of Ireland, while inspiring the next generation of Ireland’s makers and inventors.
UCD is a partner on the following projects:
Quavers to Quadratics: Music and Science
This National Concert Hall-led project is a series of workshops for primary school children, primarily from DEIS schools, highlighting the overlap between music, maths and physics, and responding to the lack of STEM engagement typical in such schools. The programme is co-designed, co-taught and co-assessed by academics and students from the School of Education (Science), University College Dublin (UCD); the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin(TCD); and the National Concert Hall’s (NCH) Learning & Participation department. The project facilitates the discovery of links between the worlds of music, physics and maths, not only for the students, but also for the undergraduate student tutors involved.
Re-imagining the Future - Environment, Sustainability, Health (REFRESH)
There is a pressing environmental need to transition to more sustainable food production practices. However, studies have identified individuals in rural and suburban areas, fearing income losses and those in disadvantaged regions as less supportive of climate change policies. Led by Munster Technological University (MTU), this project will established links through the Access and Lifelong Learning offices of the participating institutions (UCD, MTU) to co-create hybrid workshops with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in STEM, from both urban and rural environments.