STEM Education Review Group will examine aspects of STEM Education in Ireland
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., today announced the launch of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Review Group.
The STEM Education Review Group will be chaired by Professor Brian Mac Craith, President of DCU.
Speaking at the launch in the Royal Irish Academy this morning, Minister Sherlock thanked Brian and the group members “who have most generously agreed to give of their time and expertise”.
“The STEM Education Review Group will explore the potential of Research into STEM Education, particularly at primary and post primary level,” he said.
“The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, published in 2011, has increased the amount of time devoted to literacy and numeracy in the classroom. There has also been significant investment in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in order to fully implement the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy,” he continued.
“I believe that further academic research into STEM Education along the primary/post primary continuum will help build upon these positive changes.
“I want to ensure that the Irish education system can measure up to international best practice and even challenge international leaders in this space. STEM drives learning, and learning can drive STEM,” Minister Sherlock concluded.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mac Craith said “Given the pivotal role that STEM subjects play in our society and in our globalised economy, we should ensure that STEM education in Ireland is of the highest international quality. We owe this to our children.
With that objective in mind, I am delighted to accept the Minister's invitation to chair this important Review process.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
STEM Education Review Group membership:
The Minister proposes to appoint the following members to the Review Group:
· Prof. Brian Mac Craith (Chairperson): President DCU
· Mr. Bill Kearney: Director Dublin Lab, IBM Software Group (IBEC representative)
· Dr. Pádraig O'Murchú: Education & Research Manager, Intel
· Ms. Anna Walshe: Education Officer, NCCA
· Mr. Seán MacCormaic: Chair of the Irish Maths Teachers Association
· Prof. John O'Donoghue: NCE-MSTL and Department of Mathematics & Statistics, UL
· Dr.Thérese Dooley: Lecturer in Mathematics Education, St. Patrick's College
Terms of Reference
1. The preparation of teachers (at 1st and 2nd Level) for STEM education in Ireland
2. Means of supporting/enhancing the current cohort of STEM Teachers within the system (consider innovative means of supporting targeted CPD for STEM teachers by Private Sector leveraging of current state resources)
3. The use of inquiry-based and problem-based learning approaches and the impact of different assessment modalities for STEM subjects in the context of, but not limited to, the developing Junior Cycle reforms
4. The use of technology to enhance learning (especially on-line approaches) and the way in which the private sector could provide support
5. Increasing the engagement in and understanding of STEM subjects for students