Minister Foley announces €1.5 million funding in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Learning Grant for Schools

Minister for Education Norma Foley has today announced a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Learning Grant for Schools.

The grant scheme realises the commitment, under the STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026, to the development of a scheme which includes the provision of funding to enhance, develop or re-establish STEM education projects that engage learners in STEM in primary and/or post¬-primary schools.

The STEM Learning Grant will facilitate schools to assess their current STEM programmes/resources, enhance their current STEM learning opportunities, re-establish STEM activities and/or begin new STEM activities/learning opportunities.

Speaking about the grant, Minister Foley said:

“I am pleased to announce funding of €1.5 million in 2023 to support schools in nurturing children and young people’s experience of STEM subjects through their educational journey. The STEM Learning Grant for Schools will help facilitate schools to enhance children’s skills, knowledge, interests and abilities in this area.”

All primary and post-primary schools within the Free Education Scheme are eligible to apply for funding as part of the STEM Learning Grant for Schools. Total funding of up to a maximum of €10,000 is available to each school that qualifies for the grant.

The Department of Education invites expressions of interest by 27 November 2023.

Information on the STEM Learning Grant, including a template and application form can be found online at: STEM Education Policy.

For further information please email stem@education.gov.ie

Notes

STEM Education Grant

The STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026, commits to the development of a scheme which includes the provision of funding, to enhance, develop or re-establish STEM education projects that engage learners in STEM in primary and/or post-primary schools.

Objectives:

to allow schools to assess the current STEM programmes/resources available in their schools
to enhance their current STEM learning opportunities
to re-establish STEM activities
to begin STEM activity/learning opportunity not previously available

Timeframe:

invite expressions of interest by 27 November 2023
decisions on the grant to be made by end November 2023 and notify successful schools
85% of grant paid to schools at start December 2023 with accompanying guidance on procurement
remaining 15% paid in summer term, pending project progress
evaluation process to commence September 2024

Outcomes:

enhance and reinforce the learning of the curriculum
encouraging the development of a wide range of skills in learners
schools can develop their STEM offering
pupils/students have the opportunity to engage in STEM learning opportunities and/or access to STEM resources in school without incurring additional costs
greater engagement for schools with the STEM community

Programme:

(in considering external providers, Child Protection matters need to be taken into consideration)

schools should in the first instance identify the STEM resources/ learning opportunities already available in the school
schools should then consider for example: Does this need to be enhanced? Are the resources sufficient? Is there something that used to be available but now is not? Is there a gap in the STEM learning opportunities offered? Is there a demand amongst the pupil/student population for a STEM club or group that is not currently catered for within the school?
consider the diversity of learners in the school – is there something that can celebrate this diversity through a STEM learning opportunity that is not currently available within the school?
consider Circular 43/2018 in relation to external facilitators in schools
a project plan must be developed which includes clear objectives for how their STEM programme will work, meeting the criteria determined by the department
evaluation of the scheme will commence in September 2024

Identification of participating schools:

the department will issue a call for expressions of interest in participating in the initiative week beginning 6 November 2023
deadline for submission of expressions of interest Friday 27 November 2023
the department will establish a panel to evaluate applications
participation will be confirmed with schools by early December 2023

Criteria:

applications will be considered from any recognised primary, post-primary or special school within the free education scheme
schools must submit a project plan highlighting the need for the initiative or resources and fully detailing the amount required and how it will be spent
grants can be used to purchase equipment and tuition by external facilitators if required but grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural or building costs
schools must have a nominated person or persons to manage the programme
schools must outline the expectations they have for the project, that is, what will be achieved
schools which have previously received STEM related funding will be considered for this grant, only if all reporting requirements in relation to that funding has been received by the department

Selection of proposals will also be informed by:

geographic national spread
a broad range of activities
a broad range of school types

Ineligible schools:

Schools outside the Free Education Scheme.

Minister Foley announces €1.5 million funding in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Learning Grant for Schools

Notes

STEM Education Grant

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