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Six UCD projects improving public understanding of STEM funded under SFI Discover Programme

Posted 1 June, 2022

Six UCD projects aimed at improving the public's understanding of STEM have been awarded funding under (opens in a new window)Science Foundation Ireland's (SFI) Discover Programme.

Some €3.7 million has been allocated to 47 projects focused on encouraging diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and maths, while also targeting a wide range of ages including young children, teens and adults.

The UCD projects including graphic literature, artist residency, educational programmes for schools, and a festival.

Those awarded funding under the Discover Programme are:

  • Dr Sharon Shannon, UCD School of Physics: Spaces In-Between.
  • Professor Lizbeth Goodman, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Muinin Catalyst Sustainable STEAM Future-ready teaching and learning for resilience.
  • Sylvia Leatham, I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing: Manufacturing in the classroom: sustainability and the circular economy.
  • Philip Smyth, Outreach and Impact Scientist, UCD Institute for Discovery, and Professor Patricia Maguire, Director, UCD Institute for Discovery: Little Big Questions.
  • Dr David McKeown, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dublin Maker, 10th Anniversary.
  • Professor Helen Roche, Director, UCD Conway Institute: STEP Through the Looking Glass: Stories Told of Experimental Processes.

“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,” said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris.

“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 roll-out of their projects.”

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD added: “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.”

Dr Sharon Shannon, Spaces In-Between

This project is 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. The graphic novel will be a rich tapestry of short stories that embody a snapshot of humankind's experiences with STEM.

It will be produced by creative team drawn from various UCD student societies including Science, LGBTQI+, Draw, Women+inSTEM, Mature Students, Africa, Philosophy, Art, Mathematics, English and Literary Societies, professional creatives and the UCD College of Science team. The graphic novel will be distributed to schools around Ireland in print and digital formats, accompanied by STEAM lesson plans and materials for school children to design their own comic book. The overall goal of this project is to promote autonomous STEM learning, visual literacy, and Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Professor Lizbeth Goodman: Muinin Catalyst Sustainable STEAM Future-ready teaching and learning for resilience

Addressing the need for education to consider geo-political concerns, climate, other emergencies and competencies, Muinín Catalyst’s Sustainable STEAM (MCSS) programme is a tran-sdisciplinary pedagogical approach that uses the Sustainable Development Goals and the Earth Charter as thematic principles.

MCSS place-based STEAM lesson plans and blended learning resources can augment the Irish Curriculum with 21st Century future-ready skills; creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, design thinking and the ability to communicate and develop effective real-world solutions to key global challenges. MCSS will work with 16 schools to beta test an agile response to augmenting and transitioning the Irish senior cycle.

Sylvia Leatham: Manufacturing in the classroom - sustainability and the circular economy

The project will build on an existing partnership between I-Form and teacher training organisation Junior Cycle for Teachers Technologies (JCt4), part of I-Form’s 3D printing for teachers programme. I-Form will run an elective training module in 2022 for 140 teachers nationwide that takes a deep dive into the science behind 3D printing.

The course closely examines materials processing, as well as the environmental implications behind printing, exploring sustainability in manufacturing and the circular economy. It will also look at new frontiers in manufacturing such as bioprinting and food printing, and offer engaging careers content and strong links to researchers to support the project.

Philip Smyth and Professor Patricia Maguire: Little Big Questions

The project takes young school children from low socio-economic areas and transports them to UCD to explore exciting science through play and inquiry-based learning in a purpose-built outreach laboratory. This programme serves as the hub for content creation and sharing across multiple platforms and, uniquely, the children come up with the questions that they want to learn about themselves.

The lab lets them explore complex questions, learning not only the answers but the steps to find the solutions themselves. The process engages children with science in an impactful way, most of all by valuing and listening to their interests

Dr David McKeown: Dublin Maker, 10th Anniversary

Dublin Maker 2022 is the tenth annual independent national showcase of the ‘maker’ movement in Ireland. The event is a tented festival held in Merrion Square Park in Dublin city centre in July. It is a free-to-attend, independent, community-driven event targeting the curiosity of the general public.

Dublin Maker takes the form of a “show and tell” experience where STEM inventors and makers, sourced through an open call, have an opportunity to showcase their creations at individual booths in a carnival atmosphere. Exhibitors include technology enthusiasts, hackers, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, inventors and commercial operations.

Professor Helen Roche: STEP Through the Looking Glass - Stories Told of Experimental Processes

UCD Conway Institute had an artist-in-residence (Lorna Donlon) for 2020 – 2021, funded through the UCD Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund in partnership with UCD Parity Studios. The residency supports mutual exchange between the artist and institute researchers to explore current and prospective biomedical research through the lens of artistic practice.

This project will produce creative new works to reflect specific activity in the areas of (a) COVID-19 related research (b) translational clinical research (c) patient involvement in cancer research. These works will form part of an exhibition with an associated digital visitor experience. Each exhibit will include: a photographic image of a researcher and two objects; one that best defines their work and one that is personal to them; explanatory text; a short video of the researcher speaking about their chosen objects; and a display of the physical objects themselves.

An exhibition launch will include discussion between the artist and researchers on the collaborative creative process and the use of art to communicate science. The physical exhibition will display in clinical and community settings with the digital version incorporated into existing engagement programmes.

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Caroline Byrne, UCD Research and Innovation)

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