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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).
The €3.7 million funding will be focused on encouraging diversity and inclusion in STEM, while also targeting a wide range of ages including young children, teens and adults.
Announcing the funding, Minister Harris said:
“I am delighted to announce today the 47 projects receiving funding through the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme.
“These projects will have an invaluable impact, starting conversations about the role of STEM in society and inspiring our young people to explore careers in these areas.
“Through initiatives such as the SFI Discover Programme, we must support the public to have access to, and understand, the issues that impact our collective future, and the role science and technology can play in providing solutions. I wish all the recipients every success in the rollout of their projects.”
Speaking of the projects co-funded by the Department of Education, Minister Foley said:
“We are pleased to collaborate with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science by supporting five projects that will receive funding through the SFI Discover Programme.
“These projects are designed to grow and encourage participation in STEM education and public engagement, inspiring our young people to explore STEM roles in the future. I want to congratulate all of the individuals and teams involved in their work to date on these projects.”
Examples of supported projects
The awards will see a number of projects supported including:
AI in my Life
This programme encourages transition year students to evaluate the social, ethical and privacy implications of artificial intelligence (AI), and consider the exciting range of careers available in AI. The workshops are currently being offered to 20 schools in disadvantaged communities via the DCU Access Service.
Catching Stories: Testimony of Infectious Disease in Ireland
This cultural heritage/STEM initiative brings oral testimony and scientific commentary together in a collaboratively produced exploration of Irish experiences of infectious diseases, public health and vaccination.
Current Chemistry Investigators
This project will provide students, teachers and the public with new activities based on the area of electrochemistry. Electrochemistry is an important part of our modern lives with many life-changing applications e.g. hydrogen production, batteries, touchscreen, cardiac defibrillators, glucose sensors, alcohol breath testers and gel electrophoresis for COVID-19 testing.
Spaces In-Between
This project involves the design, delivery and the dissemination of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) graphic novel that focuses on the importance of student voice. This graphic novel will contain a rich tapestry of short stories that embody a snapshot of humankind's experiences with STEM from the everyday to the miraculous. This project is co-funded by the Department of Education.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Philip Nolan, Director General of SFI, said:
“The SFI Discover Programme is a key part of our education and public engagement strategy and aims to grow opportunities for dialogue between the research community and the public.
“Our research improves people’s lives and we can only do that if we work in partnership with the public at all stages of the research process. The programme also aims to improve diversity and inclusion in science, broadening participation geographically and amongst less represented voices in research.
“STEM is such an exciting area to study and work in and we want to make it more accessible to a wide range of people. We are looking forward to working with these fantastic, creative education and engagement programmes.”
Full list of projects
(*)Regional or national initiative with up to 2-year funding.
Project title
Organisation
Award amount
Co-fund
AI in My Life: Extending Transition Year Deliberative Workshops Nationally
Dublin City University
€49,955
Catching Stories: Testimony of Infectious Disease in Ireland
University College Cork
€48,488
Citizens’ Think-Ins: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach To Community Engagement With STEM
Dublin City University
€49,681
*CS_LINC - Bridging the gap to Formal Computer Science Education
Technological University Dublin
€265,853
Department of Education
*Current Chemistry Investigators (CCI)
Trinity College Dublin
€235,696
*Cyber Skills Careers Munster Technological University
€291,811
Data Bytes: a data science programme and showcase for TY students
National College of Ireland
€35,690
*Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
€274,348
Dublin Maker - 10th Anniversary
University College Dublin
€50,000
Engaging Families in STEM Programme
Kildare County Council
€9,000
Department of Education
Engineering NorthWest
Institute of Technology, Sligo
€50,000
*Fernhill Park & Gardens Augmented Reality Project
Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design and Technology
€52,349
Fiosracht in the Classroom - The STEMPATHY Journey
Technological University Dublin
€47,028
*Gaelscoileanna STEM Programme
Royal Dublin Society
€269,359
Guardians of the Future: Developing Parents’* Climate Science Literacy
Dublin City University
€49,994
Happy Maths, Fighting Maths Anxiety with Game-based Learning
Technological University Dublin
€52,059
iAdapt: Expanding engagement with adaptation planning through Climate Smart
Trinity College Dublin
€46,207
I'm a STEM engagement event – Ireland
Gallomanor Communications
€36,750
Inspiring children in STEM for the future
Kildare County Council
€4,000
Jellyfish Fantastic: Increasing Ocean Literacy through Creative Design and Participation
University College Cork
€49,340
Little Big Questions
University College Dublin
€53,399
Manufacturing in the classroom: sustainability and the circular economy
University College Dublin
€25,100
*Maths4All Professional Learning Communities
Dublin City University
€160,000
*Muinin Catalyst Sustainable STEAM Future-ready teaching and learning for resilience
University College Dublin
€299,851
Department of Education
MY -Sci: Mental health promotion in Youth through Science
University of Limerick
€47,337
Pytch: A Bridge from Block to Text programming
Trinity College Dublin
€49,730
RCSI Junior Researcher Programme
RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences
€24,733
ReelLIFE SCIENCE Video Competition
National University of Ireland, Galway
€30,894
Samhail
National University of Ireland, Galway
€50,000
*SCI:COM
Whipsmart Media
€64,000
Science hub at Learning Hub Limerick
Learning Hub Limerick Ltd
€50,000
Science in Action for Infant Learning (SAIL)
Dublin City University
€47,188
Spaces In-Between
University College Dublin
€49,957
Department of Education
Sssh! @ The Library (STEM, STEAM & Space Hub Project)
Niamh Shaw Ltd
€38,228
STEP Through the Looking Glass: Stories Told of Experimental Processes