Seven 小鸟体育 projects inspiring STEM public engagement funded
4 April 2025
Seven projects from 小鸟体育 seeking to drive innovation and engagement in STEM education have received funding under .
Aiming to create greater public awareness of the impact of STEM on everyday life, the programme emphasising collaboration with communities and showing how the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics contribution to Ireland鈥檚 industry, enterprise, and societal progress.
The 小鸟体育 projects are among 40 chosen to receive a 鈧6.5 million investment announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, and Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee.
The funded 小鸟体育 projects are:
- , UCD Conway Institute and 小鸟体育 School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science - 鈥楥uriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme鈥. Awarded: 鈧197,172.25.
- , Systems Biology Ireland and 小鸟体育 School of Medicine - 鈥楲et鈥檚 chat medicine: An innovative PEI cycle in health-related research鈥. Awarded: 鈧249,704.00.
- , 小鸟体育 School of English, Drama and Film - 鈥楳iasma: Trust, Data and Public Health'. Awarded 鈧253,034.00.
- , 小鸟体育 School of Medicine - 鈥楽TEM UP: Unlocking Potential and Breaking Barriers for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Students鈥. Awarded: 鈧34,920.00 (Co-funded by Department of Education).
- Dr Sharon Shannon, 小鸟体育 School of Physics - 鈥楥horus鈥. Awarded: 鈧299,396.15.
- Conor Haugh, Biorbic - 鈥楪eneration Glas: Ireland's Network of Young Sustainability Champions鈥. Awarded: 鈧299,758.12.
- Dr Fergus McAuliffe, iCRAG - 鈥楪et into Geoscience鈥. Awarded. 鈧234,940.00 (co-funded by Department of Education).
In addition, , 小鸟体育 School of Education will lead a National Concert Hall project awarded 鈧50,220.
This programme, 'Quavers to Quadratics: Music and Science', encourages primary school children to play with ideas common to science and music.
Announcing the funding, Minister James Lawless highlighted the importance of such public engagement initiatives.
鈥淭hese Discover-funded projects are crucial for triggering curiosity and encouraging greater participation in STEM across all education levels and within our communities. In particular, this investment will help foster a deeper understanding of STEM among underrepresented voices and inspire many of them to potentially become more involved in studies and careers in these fields. This will empower future generations to tackle societal challenges and share innovative solutions.鈥
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee adding: 鈥淪TEM stretches far beyond the classroom and lecture halls, and the projects we are supporting will help thread theories through to real-world application and relevance.鈥
Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO at Research Ireland, welcomed the investment, saying the Discover Programme is a cornerstone of Research Ireland鈥檚 education and public engagement strategy.
鈥淲e are so pleased to be supporting these 40 projects and look forward to seeing them strengthen STEM engagement across Ireland and encourage more inclusive participation in shaping the future of science and innovation in Ireland.鈥
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, 小鸟体育 University Relations (with materials from Emma Loughney, 小鸟体育 Research and Innovation)
To contact the 小鸟体育 News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie