The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced today that 372 primary schools across the country 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. [end_intro]

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. 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, 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, 15 schools received the Certificate, 332 schools achieved the Plaque, and 25 schools accomplished the Badge.

The virtual award ceremony was attended by teachers and students from over 200 schools 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.

Registration for the 2022/2023 Academic Year Awards and the DPSM/ESERO CPD will open in September 2022. For more information about the DPSM programme, the Awards and CPD, please visit www.primaryscience.ie or contact the team on primaryscience@sfi.ie.

• Total Awards: 372 awarded


• Certificate of STEM: 15 awarded


• Plaque of STEM: 332 awarded


• Badge of STEM: 25 awarded


• DEIS Schools: 80 awardees for 2022/2023


• Gaelscoil: 16 awardees for 2022/2023

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Ministers announce projects to help public understanding of STEM

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 02/06/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics Parenting

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister for Education, Norma Foley, have today announced an investment in 47 projects aimed at improving public understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). ... click to read full post & comments

Minister Foley invites views on the Action Plan on Bullying

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 27/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

The Minister for Education Norma Foley today encouraged all pupils and students, parents, school staff members, Education Partners and those involved in school communities to ‘have their say’ on a consultation process on preventing and tackling bullying in schools. This consultation forms part of the review of the department’s Action Plan on Bullying, which will inform the development of a new Action Plan. The Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools are also being reviewed. ... click to read full post & comments(3)

Applications Open for Education Initiative Blast 2022

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 25/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today invited primary and post-primary schools to apply for the arts-in-education initiative, BLAST 2022. ... click to read full post & comments

Fuel Contribution to School Transport Services Confirmed

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 23/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021. ... click to read full post & comments

5,343 Ukrainian Pupils Currently Enrolled in Irish Schools

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 17/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

The Department of Education can confirm that as of 13 May, 5,843 Ukrainian pupils have been enrolled in schools across Ireland. Out of that figure 3,968 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 1,875 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools. ... click to read full post & comments

€325,000 Funding for Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, is pleased to announce the details of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022. The Minister has secured funding of €325,000, which will be allocated to Parent and Toddler Groups nationwide through local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs). From today, Parent and Toddler Groups are invited to make an application for funding under this Initiative through their local CCC.

This year, two new funding streams are being introduced under Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative:

Firstly, funding of up to €400 is available to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians and young children. The grant of up to €400 is open to any existing or new organisations or groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community.

Secondly, funding of up to €400 is available for new or existing Parent and Toddler Groups to provide an additional session.

In addition to these new funding streams, Parent and Toddler Groups can apply for funding towards:

• Toys, equipment and books for indoor and outdoor activities, children’s refreshments
  
• Storage for equipment
  
• Training for parents, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, facilitated sessions
  
• Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music
  
• Limited funding will be available towards insurance, rent or minor refurbishment
  
• Commenting on the launch of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022, Minister O’Gorman said:
  

“The last two years has been challenging for all of us, not least for children and their parents. I hope this Initiative will encourage the development of new Parent and Toddler Groups, as well as support the continuation and expansion of existing Groups. Parent and Toddler Groups provide a great meeting place for parents/guardians with young children to relax and chat together in a supportive environment while their children play. I am delighted to be able to support them”.

This Initiative will be administered by local CCCs on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. Further information on the application process, including detailed application guidelines are available now on local CCC websites. Parent and Toddler Groups are encouraged to contact their local CCC with any queries on the Initiative and the application process. Contact details and links to websites of all local CCCs can be found on www.myccc.ie.



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Review of Out of School Education Provision

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley has today (12 May 2022) announced the publication of a report on the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision. ... click to read full post & comments

Minister Foley Announces Appointment of New Board

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 12/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced the appointment of the new board of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG), which she has appointed for a 4-year term until 28 February 2026. ... click to read full post & comments