Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister for Education Norma Foley TD have announced an investment of more than €6 million in 40 projects to empower diversity and inclusion in STEM.
SFI Discover Programme awardees will use the funding to build connections with less-represented voices, or with those who would not typically engage with STEM. They will target a range of geographic locations and incorporate themes such as climate change and biodiversity.
The four UCD projects are:
- CuriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme
- Dublin Maker Festival
- Generation Glas: A Network of Young Sustainable Champions
- Little Big Questions
Minister Harris said: “The SFI Discover Programme aims to stimulate an open and inclusive conversation on STEM, empowering participation and growing talent, with the aim of ensuring everyone can bring forward ideas and solutions for our society. The significant funding announced today will encourage the 40 awardees to bring the incredible world of STEM to those who may not otherwise have considered the endless opportunities available that are out there. I look forward to seeing the results and achievements of these projects, and I have no doubt they will help inspire many people to pursue careers and studies in STEM.”
The SFI Discover Programme targets projects that empower and inspire deep public engagement with STEM, creating new initiatives with people and not for them.
Minister Foley said: “The Department of Education is pleased to collaborate with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science once again this year by supporting projects that will receive funding through the SFI Discover Programme intended to enhance, nurture and support STEM education. STEM subjects ignite curiosity and it is wonderful to see so many of our young learners and students engaging with STEM and I hope that this will instil an interest in further study in this area. I wish all the participants every success in their work as they commence their projects.”
UCD projects funded by SFI Discover Awards
CuriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme
Systems Biology Ireland, UCD Conway Institute
This transition year placement programme focuses on increasing awareness of STEM education and careers, as well as developing key skills within a framework that provides equity of access and widens participation. Pupils will learn how science works as a multidisciplinary, global endeavour to address societal challenges. Postgraduate researchers will be trained in public engagement to lead delivery through a small group, ‘buddy' system that facilitates informal mentorship.
Dublin Maker
Dr David McKeown, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
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.
Generation Glas: A Network of Young Sustainable Champions
BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre
Generation Glas is an initiative that draws talented young people from diverse backgrounds across Ireland and supports them in becoming ambassadors for sustainability. It gives them access to researchers, policymakers and other experts, educates them in the scientific and political contexts and trains them to become confident, creative communicators who can engage and represent their communities.
Little Big Questions
Professor Patricia Maguire, UCD Institute of Discovery
This 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. The 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.
Prof Philip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, said: “The SFI Discover Programme is a key part of our education and public engagement strategy. The Programme encourages collaboration to support public engagement with STEM, with a specific emphasis on broadening participation geographically and amongst less represented voices in STEM. It is essential that we support and encourage diversity and equality at all levels, providing the talent in our society an opportunity to fully participate in shaping our collective future. SFI is keen to push the boundaries of participation and engagement with STEM research. I look forward to seeing what these projects achieve over the coming months.”
The full list of the 40 projects can be found here.