Laois schools making strides in STEM honoured with national awards
Eight primary schools in Laois won big at the Curious Minds Awards 2026
Eight primary schools in Laois have received awards as part of Research Ireland’s Curious Minds initiative.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, announced the winning schools on Monday, June 15.
To celebrate the announcement, schools in Laois and across Ireland took part in an online awards ceremony which was hosted by TV presenters Gráinne Bleasdale and Phil Smyth.
Funded by Research Ireland, the Curious Minds Awards recognise schools that adopt hands-on, inquiry-based approaches to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in their teaching.
Across participating schools, students are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
Through practical investigations and real-world challenges, pupils explore STEM topics including biodiversity, coding and programming, design-and-make projects, forces and materials, engineering challenges and problem-solving activities.
Eight primary schools in Laois were among the worthy winners of the awards on Monday.
Seven Laois schools won the Gold award which is for schools which are further along in their STEM journey and have at least half of their classes involved in the initiative. These schools were Ardlios NS, Ballinakill Mixed NS, Camross NS, Naomh Padraig NS, Scoil An Chroí Ró Naofa, Scoil Eoin Phóil Ll Naofa,and Scoil Mhuire Fatima.
Then Scoil Fionntáin Naofa in Shanahoe won the Platinum Award which was given to schools that have already achieved the Gold Award and want to further integrate STEM into their school culture.
Announcing the 2026 Curious Minds Awards, Minister Lawless said: “I am delighted to announce that 337 schools across the country have won Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards this year.
“What makes these awards so special is their focus not just on what children learn, but on how they learn. Through Curious Minds, schools across Ireland are helping young people to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop the confidence to experiment and problem-solve.
“I want to thank the teachers and school leaders whose passion and dedication are inspiring the next generation to engage with STEM in creative and meaningful ways. Their commitment is helping to foster a lifelong curiosity in our young people. Congratulations to every school recognised this year on this wonderful achievement.”
Commenting on the awards, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said: “The Curious Minds Awards showcase the enthusiasm and creativity of school communities across Ireland.
“The programme is built on a simple but powerful belief – that every child is born curious and every teacher can nurture that curiosity into a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering and maths.
“By supporting teachers and embedding these curiosity-centred approaches in everyday learning, the programme is making a real difference in helping to develop skills that will benefit students both now and into the future.”