Professor Hamsa Venkat, Naughton Family Chair in STEM Education and Dr. Margaret Leahy, Head of School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies, DCU Institute of Education pictured outside Leinster House

Dr Margaret Leahy and Professor Hamsa Venkat appear at Oireachtas Committee to discuss STEM education

27/04/2023

On Tuesday 18th April 2023, Dr Margaret Leahy, Head of School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies and Prof Hamsa Venkat, Naughton Family Chair in STEM Education, DCU Institute of Education presented before the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to discuss the Future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in Irish Education.

Members of the Oireachtas Committee are currently holding Roundtable Discussions on the future of STEM in Irish Education with stakeholders and experts across various sectors including initial teacher education training universities, school management bodies, research institutions and teaching associations among other organisations.

As Professor Venkat holds the Naughton Chair in early years and primary education, her contribution focused on issues relating to STEM education provision and access for younger children. At the committee she emphasised the importance of building confidence and enthusiasm for STEM disciplines in early learning, as if unaddressed, the negative and gendered male stereotypes of STEM education are set in by the time students reach secondary school.

Commenting on the significance of the appearance before the Oireachtas Committee, Prof Venkat said;

“I was delighted to appear before the Oireachtas Committee to highlight the importance of starting work on STEM at early childhood and primary level education. This was significant, as there is still a view, in some quarters, that STEM education only really gets going at second or third level education.”

Prof Venkat outlined the importance of more guidance and time allocation for mathematics, science and technology and integrated STEM both in early childhood education and also at primary level. Recent evidence suggests that time dedicated to science has been whittled down in recent years in primary schools, with Prof Venkat calling for a weekly time allocation for science.

Dr. Margaret Leahy continued their contribution discussing the importance of all students having the widest access to STEM from early childhood education to school leaving age, key to this provision is teacher education in this area. Dr Leahy outlined how teachers have the potential to be role models and provide information about the diverse careers that exist within STEM industries, hence the reference to the STInt Programme which was established in DCU.

Commenting on their appearance before the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Science and Innovation Dr Leahy said;

“I welcomed the opportunity to discuss before the Oireachtas an issue that will not only impact the future of every school going student in Ireland, but also Ireland's potential for growth across the STEM fields.”

Dr Leahy also outlined the need for provision of more STEM opportunities at early childhood and primary levels and explained how current assessment approaches of the leaving certificate may be inhibiting more innovative teaching practices, calling for the implementation of senior cycle reform and reform of the leaving certificate. Dr Leahy concluded on the exciting opportunities available to students to participate in STEM education through SciFest, BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Look back and watch the Committee sitting and/ or read their contribution.