‘Curious Minds’ in Coole, Multy and Mullingar

St Cremin’s NS in Multyfarnham, Scoil Mhuire in Coole, and St Mary’s Primary School in Mullingar have won gold in the ‘Curious Mind’ awards for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Mullingar Educate Together was awarded the silver ‘Curious Mind’, as it was that school’s first time to enter the competition. Other Westmeath winners include Ballinahown NS, silver; Baile Coireil NS, gold; An Grianá, gold; and St Peter’s NS, gold.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, congratulated said it was a celebration for primary schools that have adopted innovative approaches to STEM learning and engagement.

“I am delighted to announce the eight winners of this year’s SFI Curious Minds Awards from Westmeath. I want to congratulate all involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. Through programmes such as the Curious Minds Awards, we see first-hand teachers and schools empowering curiosity through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to STEM learning,” said Minister Harris.

“The high level of engagement this year can be credited to the schools and teachers who have put effort into giving their students access to STEM in a fun, interactive and educational way.”

Judges’ comments

Mullingar ETNS earned the Curious Minds Silver Award for their presentation in wide range of activities, including an investigation on sound, which the judges said was “very good and interesting”. The panel also commended the ‘Linking technology and Africa study’, saying it was “a nice cross curricular activity”. The judges added: “Science Blast seems to have been a great success.”

St Mary’s PS, Coole

St Mary’s Primary School achieved a Gold Curious Minds Award this year. “Their log clearly demonstrates evidence of student engagement across the school, while also incorporating key speakers and STEM events. From designing and making waterproof boots for their teddy bears, and parachutes to maths games, it was clear the learners were all engaged and enjoying their STEM lessons,” stated the judges comments.

St Cremin’s NS School, Multyfarnham

St Cremin’s NS achieved the SFI Curious Minds Gold Award 2023. “Their submission clearly showed the amazing work done throughout this year in STEM. Learners in different classes were engaged in a wide range of exciting activities and projects. They have also done great work in the school garden, and displayed incredible science, maths and technology videos created by learners.”

Scoil Mhuire, Coole

Scoil Mhuire have achieved the SFI Curious Minds Gold Award for a great year’s work and project. The judges said: “The variety and range of STEM activities is amazing for such a small school. The learners are really involved in their own data and reports. There was great activity during Space Week – very good investigations and modelling and plenty of engineers around with great marble runs produced!”

Educate Together

This was the first year for Mullingar Educate Together to participate in the Curious Minds awards. “We have always worked hard in STEM and put a lot of work into events like science week each year. We regularly invite numerous outside agencies to carry out workshops in our school and challenge our students to investigate various concepts through fun, hands-on activities,” says Martina Dolan, a coordinator for Green-schools and Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE).

“Some of the projects pupils undertook include third class participating in the ESB Science Blast by investigating the question ‘What will happen to the Earth when the Sun dies?’. Fifth class carried out an investigation to produce carbon dioxide, using maths and engineering to build parachutes and using technology to create and present different projects. They also created 3D models of the solar system and the skin,” explained Martina.

Mullingar Educate Together have also just received news that they now a Gold Agri Aware Incredible Edibles school.

“This involved a lot of work to examine where our food comes from and, in particular, Irish produce. Under the programme, the students plant, grow, cook and eat their own food. They also had an exciting visit from Farmer Claire this year. Claire spoke to the children about her job as a producer and even brought a pet lamb with her. Claire is also a teacher Mullingar ETNS.”

The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) programme, run in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), aims to increase interest in STEM among primary school students, parents, and teachers in a fun and interactive way.

Primary Schools received awards in three categories: The Silver Award, recognising schools entering for the first time; the Gold Award, for schools further along their STEM journey; and the Platinum Award, for schools who have achieved previous awards and want to integrate STEM into the community further.

Professor Philip Nolan, director general of Science Foundation Ireland, said: “At Science Foundation Ireland, we are committed to making science accessible to all. Introducing students to science in a practical, hands-on, enjoyable and interactive way, tapping into and nurturing their natural curiosity, is a core objective for SFI as we continue to break down barriers to engaging young people in STEM. The Curious Minds Awards are a perfect way to motivate students’ interest in STEM in the classroom. It is extremely positive to see so many primary schools in Westmeath taking part, and I congratulate all the teachers, schools and parents for their commitment to STEM.”

Registration for the next SFI Curious Minds Awards will open in September 2023. Registration for summer courses and CPD courses for 2023/2024 are open now.

For more information about the SFI Curious Minds programme, the Awards, CPD, and inquiry-based resources, see curiousminds.ie or contact the team on curiousminds@sfi.ie.