An initiative, designed by researchers at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Thurles Campus, to encourage school going children to explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals through games, animations, and embedded system applications has been awarded €300,000.
The funding was part of a €5million investment in 38 projects under the Discover Programme, which encourages understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, and Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD last week.
The TUS “Exploring the Sustainable Development Goals through Coding” project received the highest grant available under this programme.
This unique project provides a way for students to explore the UN goals in a fun and engaging way; while teachers will also be supported to introduce coding in the classroom across a number of curricular areas, including Mathematics, Art and the Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE) curriculum.
Exploring the Sustainable Development Goals through Coding will build on the experience and knowledge gained by the TUS team through projects co-funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Department of Education in 2023. Last year’s project saw 750 students and 50 teachers from Tipperary and Kilkenny attended the Thurles campus for a range of workshops.
This new funding will allow the team to work with an additional 2,000 students over the next two years. Students across a range of school settings from small rural schools to larger urban schools, as well as those in the special school setting will receive the opportunity to participate, encouraging engagement and interest in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) discipline.
The project will also target girls as well as students from socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged groups who are often underrepresented in the STEM area.
Pamela O’Brien, Principal Investigator on the Project and Lecturer at the Information Technology Department in TUS said, “The project team are excited to be awarded this funding to continue working with primary school teachers and their students. Central to this project is the opportunity for students in primary school to attend a university campus to explore subjects in the STEM. The timing of these workshops further supports students preparing to transition from primary to secondary school. This is particularly important as it provides a unique opportunity for these students to experience a day in the life of a college student. The impact of these visits, focused on STEM subjects, has the potential to positively impact on students, as they consider subject and career choices into the future.”
The Discover Programme aims to create greater public awareness of the impact of STEM on society and everyday life, generate opportunities for dialogue and encouraging diversity in STEM-related disciplines.
In 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.
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 are 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.”
