SFI Curious Minds Awards recognises primary schools for STEM efforts
A total of 419 primary schools nationwide have received the SFI Curious Minds Award 2024.
Led by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the programme aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among primary school students, parents, and teachers, nationwide in a fun, engaging way.
The SFI Curious Minds Awards celebrates and recognises the participation of schools in hands-on, inquiry-based learning in STEM.
Since launching 20 years ago, the programme has seen students exploring a wide range of STEM activities, from investigating renewable energy, egg drop challenges, growing vegetables, launching rockets, mini-beast hunts, learning about materials and maths through baking, design and make challenges, marble runs, enhancing their technology skills through coding, and using STEM to solve everyday problems.
The Awards are split into three broad categories: the silver award aimed at schools starting out on the STEM journey and involves a minimum of two classes; the gold award, for where at least half of the classes in the school are engaging with STEM; and the platinum award is for schools that have already achieved the gold award and want to challenge themselves further. This year, 47 schools received the silver award, 346 schools achieved the gold award, and 26 accomplished the platinum award.
The schools’ achievements were celebrated in classrooms across the country during a virtual awards ceremony held this morning.
Dr Ruth Freeman, director of science for society at SFI, said: “The SFI Curious Minds Awards are a true highlight of the year, and reward the active and ongoing involvement of thousands of pupils nationwide in STEM-related activities. The winners’ interest in STEM inspires other pupils – both younger and older – to get and stay curious, all of which helps to build a culture and community of exploration and learning.”
The SFI Curious Minds programme supplies tools to empower schools in teaching science, technology, engineering and Maths, allowing teachers to spark fun and curiosity both inside and outside the classroom. SFI, in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), offers free continuous professional development (CPD) in STEM for primary school teachers, as well as curriculum-linked STEM classroom resources. The programme explores STEM topics through inquiry-based learning. The programme also offers a varied selection of Department of Education-approved summer courses with partners like ESERO Ireland, MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Applicants who complete a summer course will be eligible for EPV days.
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