In the vibrant landscape of STEAM education, this month has been brimming with creativity, innovation, and impactful engagements, as we brought together educators, students, and influencers to celebrate the beauty of learning through play.
We hosted a dynamic hands-on workshop featuring SPIKE Prime and the FIRST LEGO League Challenge programme for 21 Foróige leaders and 3 library staff members, igniting their passion for robotics and collaborative problem-solving.
Seventeen DCU Faculty of Engineering and Computing Students and 2 faculty members also immersed themselves in a SPIKE Prime and FIRST LEGO League Challenge workshop fostering a hands-on approach to technology and innovation.
We were delighted to partner with the STEM Teacher Internship Programme to elevate the skills of 11 programme alumni, empowering them to inspire the next generation of learners in their classrooms with computational thinking and robotics. We can’t wait to see their MASTERPIECEs.
Our fantastic facilitators, Niamh and Gerry, visited all 8 secondary schools and 9 primary schools in January prepping them for some fun STEAM engagement. These visits brought the excitement of STEAM learning directly to students and their teachers, creating memorable experiences in the world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
We also connected with over 30 primary schools across Ireland who were successful in receiving a STEM Learning Grant from the Department of Education and we were delighted to meet the students and teachers in eight of those schools already in January. They are eager to advance STEM learning in their classrooms utilising the LEGO Education Learning Systems.
In a spectacular showcase supported by Janssen Sciences in Cork, we witnessed the participation of 200 Irish Girl Guides girls and leaders in the FIRST LEGO League Discover, Explore, and Challenge programme. They shared their MASTERPIECE team models and their excellent Core Values and made loads of new friends too. This event exemplified the limitless potential that emerges when we partner together.
The fantastic team from Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Blarney took the winning prize at the first Irish FIRST LEGO League Challenge regional tournament of the season. Supported by Qualcomm and hosted by University College Cork, this event not only showcased innovation and robotics, but was a ton of fun too! Great to see all the FIRST Core Values in action.
The month concluded with the retirement of Professor Deirdre Butler from Dublin City University marking a poignant moment in our journey. As a key influencer in digital education, her legacy continues to inspire educators and students alike. She has been instrumental in growing the FIRST LEGO League programme across Ireland and we appreciate all the support, encouragement, advice and guidance she has given our team over the years.
