Programme helps facilitate teachers delivering STEMM
By Taylor Gleeson
Primary school teachers from Tallaght and Clondalkin joined teachers from across Dublin in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) training programme last week.
Teachers Eoghan McQuillan and Louise McKenna from St Mary’s SNS, Clondalkin and Mairead McBrien from Knockmore JNS, Tallaght, took part in the RCSI’s tenth Primary Science for Teachers Initiative (PSTI), which educates primary school teachers in science.
Teachers Mairead McBrien from Tallaght and Louise McKenna from Clondalkin
PSTI is a part of Reach RCSI, which is a local community and access programme that encourages young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM).
The programme focused on the five human senses, using activities that can be repeated in the classroom at affordable costs.
The teachers went to RCSI’s York Street campus for the training programme to participate in workshop-based and practical activities.
These activities were designed to complement subjects taught in primary school science, which are social, environmental and science education (SESE) and social, personal and health education (SPHE).
Maria Kelly, Reach RCSI Programme Manager said: “STEMM research is a key part of what happens at RCSI each day and we want to ensure that our facilities and resources are accessible to others beyond our doors.
This programme allows us to support the educators of today and the scientists and researchers of tomorrow.
“The objective of the PSTI is to support teachers in delivering STEMM in the classroom by facilitating experiential learning, in a research environment.
The approach of learning through doing is also one which we hope will inspire them and their students on their return to the classroom.”
