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Nicola Broderick

Dr

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Nicola Broderick is an Assistant Professor in Science Education and Social, Environmental and Scientific Education. She works in the area of Initial Teacher Education and Teacher Professional Learning. Nicola previously worked as a primary school teacher and deputy principal in Co. Meath.

Currently Nicola's main responsibilities include researching, developing and facilitating ITE and continuous professional learning in science education. Nicola has developed educational resources in science and published in the areas of teaching and learning in primary science, STEM education, Nature of Science, Education for Sustainable Development and teacher professional learning.

Nicola completed her Doctorate of Education at Dublin City University, which examined the impact of teaching primary science through socioscientific issues on children's scientific literacy.

Nicola is a member of the Centre for the Advancement STEM Teaching and Learning (CASTeL), International Professional Development Association (IPDA) Ireland and the Irish Association for Primary Science Education (IAPSE).

Nicola welcomes contact from organisations and individuals interested in all areas outlined above and all areas related to science/STEM education. 

Book

Year Publication
2022 Deirdre Butler; Nicola Broderick; Joe Usher (2022) SUPERPOWERED: FIRST LEGO League Explore Teacher Guide for Ireland. UK: Stevenage: The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
2022 Deirdre Butler; Nicola Broderick; Joe Usher (2022) First LEGO League Explore Cargo Connect Teacher Guide for Ireland. UK: Stevenage: The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
2016 Cliona Murphy (Editor), Nicola Broderick, Greg Smith. (2016) SUSTAIN Energy Teacher Resource Book. France: La main à la pâte Foundation. http://www.fondation-lamap.org/en/sustain/project
2016 Nicola Broderick Cliona Murphy (2016) Scientist's Apprentice - Energy and Resources. Stillorgan Road, Belfield, Dublin 4: University College Dublin.
2015 Cliona Murphy, Nicola Broderick, Lydnsay Kenny (2015) Real Science for Young Scientists. Drumcondra: St Patrick's College.

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2021 Joe Usher and Nicola Broderick (2021) 'Chapter 12: SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production' In: Teaching respect, hope and advocacy in schools: a focus on the sustainable development goals. London : Routledge.

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2023 Broderick, N. (2023) 'Exploring different visions of scientific literacy in Irish primary science education: core issues and future directions'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI]
2021 Murphy, Cliona; Smith, Greg; Broderick, Nicola (2021) 'A Starting Point: Provide Children Opportunities to Engage with Scientific Inquiry and Nature of Science'. Research in Science Education, 51 (6):1759-1793. [DOI]
2020 Murphy, C., Broderick, N. & Mallon, B. (2020) 'Primary Science in Ireland - 17 Years on'. Irish Teachers' Journal, .
2019 Murphy, C., Smith, G., & Broderick, N. (2019) 'A Starting Point: Provide Children Opportunities to Engage with Scientific Inquiry and Nature of Science'. Research in Science Education, . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-019-9825-0
2019 Broderick, N (2019) 'From Our Own Correspondent: teachers’ professional learning in the Republic of Ireland context'. Practice: contemporary issues in professional learning, . [Link] [DOI]

Conference Publication

Year Publication
2022 Nicola Broderick (2022) New Perspectives in Science Education Conference Proceedings The development of primary school students’ argumentation skills through socioscientific issues
2018 Nicola Broderick (2018) International Conference: New Perspectives in Science Education Continuous Professional Development in Science Education: A Reconceptualisation

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2023 (2023) Educational Studies Association of Ireland The development of primary school students’ scientific literacy through socioscientific issues and the Irish primary science curriculum Belfast, .
2022 Nicola Broderick (2022) New Perspectives in Science Education The development of primary school students’ argumentation skills through socioscientific issues Italy, .
2022 Nicola Broderick; Paul van Kampen (2022) Science and Mathematics Education Conference The development of primary school students’ socioscientific reasoning competencies through socioscientific issues and the Irish primary science curriculum Dublin, .
2020 Nicola Broderick (2020) The future of teacher professional learning in Ireland: A policy analysis of the opportunities and obstacles presented in the Cosán framework for teacher professional learning A policy analysis of Cosán framework for teacher professional learning ESAI, .
2020 Leahy, M., Butler, D., & Broderick, N. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 IGGniting STEM in Irish Girl Guides Mumbai, India, .
2020 Nicola Broderick (2020) Developing children's scientific literacy through real-word issues Postgraduate Unconference DCU Dublin City University, .
2018 Nicola Broderick (2018) The Future ‘Vision’ for Science Education: A Critical Analysis of the STEM Education Policy in an Irish Context A Policy Analysis of STEM Education in an Irish Context DCU, .
2018 Nicola Broderick (2018) The Future of Teacher Professional Learning through the lens of a Mandatory Professional Learning Policy: A Policy Analysis of Cosán A Policy Analysis of the Cosán Framework for Teacher Professional Learning Aston University, Bermingham, UK, .
2018 Nicola Broderick (2018) International Conference: New Perspectives in Science Education Continuous Professional Development in Science Education: A Reconceptualisation Florence, Italy, .
2016 Nicola Broderick (2016) Science and Mathematics Education Conference 2016 STEM Teacher Education: Initial and Continuing Professional Development Dublin, .
2015 Nicola Broderick (2015) SUSTAIN Supporting Science Teacher Advancement Through Inquiry Energy and Resources Teacher Resource Dublin, .

Published Report

Year Publication
2023 Cliona Murphy; Hamsa Venkat; Margaret Leahy; Nicola Broderick; Orla Kelly; Deirdre Butler; Lorraine Harbison; Caoimhe Lawlor; Yvonne Naughton (2023) STEM Education_Curriculum & Literature Overview and Primary Science Education_Systematic Literature Review. NCCA, .
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Member -
International Professional Development Association (IPDA) Ireland Treasurer -
Irish Association for Primary Science Education Member -

Honors and Awards

Date Title Awarding Body
01/01/2018 DCU President's Award (Nomination) DCU

Committees

Committee Function From / To
International Professional Development Association (IPDA) Ireland -

Employment

Employer Position From / To
Rathregan National School Deputy Principal 01/09/2007 - 31/08/2016

Education

Start date Institution Qualification Subject
National University of Ireland, Maynooth Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick Bachelor of Education
St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra Master of Education
St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra Graduate Certificate

Research Interests

Nicola Broderick's research interests are in the areas of:
  • STEM Education
  • Science Education
  • Education for Sustainable Development
  • Nature of Science
  • Teaching and Learning in Primary Science
  • Inquiry Based Science Education
  • Continuous Professional Development.
  • Policy and Practice
  • Socioscientific Issues

Research Projects

Title Role Description Start date End date
Strategic Review of the RDS Science and Technology Programme Investigator 01/09/2018
Supporting Science Teaching Advancement through Inquiry (SUSTAIN) Investigator 01/01/2014 31/12/2016
Irish Girl Guides Innovatively Engaging with STEM Investigator 01/01/2018 01/01/2019
Climate4Action:Developing Parents’/Guardians’ Climate Science Literacy and Engagement with Science DCU PI 01/01/2022 31/12/2022

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name Degree Supervision
Cunningham ,Sharon Doctor of Education Supervisor

Internal Collaborators

Type Name Company Role
Internal Deirdre Butler DCU
Internal Paul Van Kampen DCU
Internal Greg Smith DCU
Internal Cliona Murphy DCU
Internal Margaret Leahy DCU

Teaching Interests

Nicola teaches on a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Doctor of Education (Level 10)
ED9012: Professional Learning Policy Analysis
ED9035: ESD, Global Citizenship and Climate Action

Professional Master of Education (Primary) (Level 9)
PMEP1: ED9047 Professional Placement and Reflection
PMEP1: Professional Placement
PMEP2: School Placement Supervision

Bachelor of Education (Level 8)
B.Ed1: ED1023 SESE and Teacher as a Person: Primary Science Education
B.Ed1: ED1018 Teacher as Reflective Practitioner  
B.Ed2: ED2032 Science and Early Childhood Education
B.Ed3: ED3053 Global Citizenship and Local Studies
B.Ed3: SG301 Current Issues in Science Education
B.Ed4: ED4015 Research Project

BEd1, 2, 3 and 4 - Professional Placement

Modules Coordinated

Term Title Subject
2022 SESE/Teacher as a Person ED1023
2022 Exploring Current Issues SG301
2022 Science Ed 2 & Early Childhood Education ED2032