STEM Education Partnerships
-
From: Department of Education
- Published on: 15 July 2020
- Last updated on: 5 July 2023
What is this?
The Guidelines and Toolkit on this page provide the basis for both primary and post-primary schools and business/industry to form quality, inclusive and relevant educational links, to improve the STEM/Digital learning experience and secure enhanced outcomes for all learners.
Who is it for?
This page aims to support schools, school leaders, teachers and business/industry from all sectors with an interest in, or responsibility for STEM-related learning in forming and sustaining effective STEM partnerships. If you are a school or a business/industry and would like more information on establishing STEM partnerships or if you would like your initiative included as a case study on this page please contact stem@education.gov.ie
Guidelines
Toolkit
This toolkit includes examples of partnerships in practice, information on professional development for teachers, information on STEM competitions, fairs, festivals and events, options on leaving school, research from other jurisdictions, statistics from our own system and other related links.
Case Studies
Continuing Professional Development
Extra-Curricular STEM Activities
Resources
Options on leaving school
There are many different pathways to allow learners continue on their STEM journey once they leave school, please see further information on some of the options below:
Statistics in Ireland
STEM in other jurisdictions
Education Australia
- National Innovation and Science Agenda
- Optimising Industry School Partnerships
- STEM Support, Education Australia
- STEM Professionals in Schools
Education Scotland
- Developing the Young Workforce guidance
- STEM self-evaluation and improvement framework
- STEM resources and interesting practice
- Parent and carer research – how they advise their children on careers
- Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE) Programme
Related Links
STEM Education Policy
Consultation on the STEM Education Implementation Plan 2022–2026
The consultation on the STEM Education Implementation Plan 2022–2026 has now closed, we thank you for taking the time to get involved in the process and a report on the consultation will issue shortly.
What we mean by STEM Education
STEM Education is multi-faceted and goes well beyond the main disciplines that constitute the acronym STEM. The foundations for STEM education begin in early childhood. From the earliest years through their play experiences and family environment, children engage with the world in ways that can promote learning related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Young children naturally engage in early STEM exploration through hands-on multisensory and creative experiences. By engaging in these experiences, young children are developing curiosity, inquisitiveness, critical-thinking and problem-solving capacities which are built on through their primary and post-primary school experience.
STEM education not only involves the teaching of these disciplines and subjects in isolation but also involves a cross-disciplinary approach. It builds on the content knowledge and understanding developed in and across the four disciplines, while acknowledging that all STEM learning activities are underpinned by Mathematics. It also recognises the strong linkage between STEM and Arts education which fosters design, creativity and innovation.
Why we need a STEM Education policy
The ongoing programme of reform in our education system is driven by a shared policy focused on better outcomes for all learners, raising standards of teaching, learning and assessment and school improvement.
The STEM Education Policy Statement recognises the importance of initiatives that raise awareness and interest in STEM among the public in Ireland to enable them to engage in informed STEM discussions. It also recognises the need to improve STEM education. Young people need to understand and be capable of using skills and concepts developed through STEM education to be active citizens, to engage with modern communications and media in a critical way, to ensure personal well-being and to make informed choices about many aspects of their lives.
We need a national focus on STEM education in our early years’ settings and schools to ensure we have an engaged society and a highly-skilled workforce in place. This requires a clear understanding of STEM education for the Irish context. The embedding of this understanding across our education system will help transform the STEM education experience of learners from early years through to post-primary.
STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026
The STEM Education Policy Statement focusses on the many strengths in STEM education while providing a roadmap to address the areas for development.
It was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders, research and has also been informed by the STEM Education in the Irish School System report.
The areas of policy development and action in relation to STEM education, as identified in the Policy Statement, span 4 pillars as follows:
- Nurture Learner engagement and participation
- Enhance early years practitioner and teacher capacity
- Support STEM Education Practice
- Use Evidence to support STEM education
This policy statement focusses on the many strengths in STEM education while providing a roadmap to address the areas for development.
STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026
Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027