The Department of Education’s STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026, published November 2017, sets out ambitious goals and actions required to achieve and improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners. The Policy Statement acknowledges that while there are many strengths in STEM education provision at present, a number of challenges also exist. These include the need to
Ensure the continued improvement in Irish students’ learning in STEM disciplines, including the further development of skills such as problem-solving, inquiry-based learning and team working to address demands from the world of work
Increase the number of students choosing STEM subjects in post-primary schools, those progressing to STEM pathways in Further or Higher Education and those who take up careers in STEM
Increase participation of females in STEM education and careers
Raise interest in, and awareness of the range of exciting careers in STEM
The STEM implementation plan 2017-2019 built on a range of reforms and initiatives already underway in STEM, in areas such as curriculum and assessment reform, teacher professional development, embedding digital learning and advances in initial teacher education.
Some achievements to date include:
Guidelines with accompanying toolkit in relation to forming industry –school partnerships ongoing STEM awareness campaign in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
A Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Framework which supports the cross – sectoral design and delivery of STEM CPD. This informs the Professional Development Service for Teachers STEM professional development design.
STEM related curricular reform to include introduction of Computer Science for Leaving Certificate.
A Review of Literature to include an assessment of current interventions on addressing gender based barriers to STEM education in order to Identify Effective Interventions for Addressing Gender Balance in STEM in Early Years, Primary and Post-Primary Education Settings - published in November 2020. TImminent publication of Gender Balance in STEM recommendations.
A Literature review of STEM and the Arts at Early Years, Primary and Post-Primary Education Settings
Ongoing support of informal STEM education such as BTYSTE, Scifest and Science Blast
STEM resources for the Aistear Síolta practice Guide to support STEM practices within early years settings were developed
Collaboration with SFI on their Discover Programme call to create opportunities for increased participation and engagement with STEM.
Strategic Lead for Ireland in the Erasmus+ funded project ‘Assessment of Transversal Skills (ATS) in STEM’ conducted across 8 EU countries and involving a partner network of 12 educational institutions. ATS STEM aims to provide teachers and students with necessary and efficient digital assessment approaches in development of students’ transversal skills in STEM education.