Six Carlow schools win gold in SFI 2023 Curious Minds Awards

Six primary schools across Carlow have received awards celebrating their achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced that six primary schools in Carlow have been awarded the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) 2023 Curious Minds Award, celebrating primary schools across the country that have adopted innovative approaches to STEM learning and engagement.  

Announcing the 2023 Curious Mind Awards, Mr Harris said: “I am delighted to announce the six winners of this year’s SFI Curious Minds Awards from Carlow. 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.” 

“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.”

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

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The awards were granted for a wide range of innovative and engaging STEM activities from investigating renewable energy, growing vegetables, mini-beast hunts, learning about materials and maths through baking, design and make challenges, marble runs, enhancing their technology skills through coding, and using STEM to solve everyday problems.

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. 

This year, all six Carlow schools received the Gold Award. The six winning schools are Our Lady’s National School, St Brigid’s, Scoil Phádraig in Rathoe, Holy Family Boys National School, Scoil Náisiúnta Molaise  and Bishop Foley School.

Commenting on the awards, Professor Philip Nolan, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland said they 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. It is extremely positive to see so many primary schools in Carlow taking part, and I congratulate all the teachers, schools and parents for their commitment to STEM.”