Encouraging your Child’s STEM learning at Home: A ‘How To’ Panel Discussion
Hosted by Kildare Library and Arts Service in partnership with the
Maynooth University Department of Chemistry
Tuesday, 15th June, 7pm via Zoom
Parents have a key role to play in encouraging and harnessing their child’s natural curiosity around STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). However, many parents don’t know where to start or lack confidence themselves in this area. Join us for a discussion with a panel of STEM experts on why it is so important for parents to cultivate this interest and how to go about it.
The discussion will focus on:
- Explaining what STEM is and demystifying it.
- The parent’s role and influence on the child’s interest in STEM.
- The role of STEM learning in developing creative and critical thinking skills.
- The importance of STEM learning for future careers.
- The gender gap in STEM and how to encourage more girls in STEM.
- Suggestions of simple, fun and low-prep activities that can be done with children to get them excited about STEM.
This talk is suitable for parents, educators and carers of primary-school-going children. The discussion will be facilitated by Dr Niamh Shaw, who is an engineer, scientist, writer and performer, and will include the following speakers:
Roisin O’Flaherty works as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Maynooth University. She previously worked at NIBRT doing research in pharmaceuticals and also as an engineer at Intel. Her area of research is studying sugars to better understand cancers and diseases and she uses robots to help her along the way. She wants to inspire more young children and adults alike to get into STEM subjects. She wants to be a role model for young girls who are interested in automation and engineering.
Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos is an Associate professor and Coordinator of the BSc in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry at Maynooth University. Trinidad's research focuses on developing new and sustainable materials based on carbohydrates for medical applications. She is also very interested in chemical education and is involved in science communication activities in European networks.
Peter Redmond is a world-renowned robotics expert and founder of the entertainment and educational robotics company Mechatrons. He also lectures in the Department of Computer Science in Trinity College Dublin.
Hayden Wilkinson is a Bioprocessing/Biopharma Trainer by day and a music-loving, coffee-drinking, plant eater by night. He recently completed his MSc at the National Institute of Bio-processing, Research and Training at University College Dublin where he was looking into improving the design of biomaterial implants in regenerative medicine. In 2019 Hayden won the FameLab Ireland science communication competition.
This event is hosted by Kildare Library and Arts Service in partnership with
the Department of Chemistry in Maynooth University.
Please book your free ticket via Eventbrite via this link:
https://engaging_children_in_stem_learning.eventbrite.ie
Hosted by Kildare Library and Arts Service in partnership with the
Maynooth University Department of Chemistry
Tuesday, 15th June, 7pm via Zoom
Parents have a key role to play in encouraging and harnessing their child’s natural curiosity around STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). However, many parents don’t know where to start or lack confidence themselves in this area. Join us for a discussion with a panel of STEM experts on why it is so important for parents to cultivate this interest and how to go about it.
The discussion will focus on:
- Explaining what STEM is and demystifying it.
- The parent’s role and influence on the child’s interest in STEM.
- The role of STEM learning in developing creative and critical thinking skills.
- The importance of STEM learning for future careers.
- The gender gap in STEM and how to encourage more girls in STEM.
- Suggestions of simple, fun and low-prep activities that can be done with children to get them excited about STEM.
This talk is suitable for parents, educators and carers of primary-school-going children. The discussion will be facilitated by Dr Niamh Shaw, who is an engineer, scientist, writer and performer, and will include the following speakers:
Roisin O’Flaherty works as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Maynooth University. She previously worked at NIBRT doing research in pharmaceuticals and also as an engineer at Intel. Her area of research is studying sugars to better understand cancers and diseases and she uses robots to help her along the way. She wants to inspire more young children and adults alike to get into STEM subjects. She wants to be a role model for young girls who are interested in automation and engineering.
Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos is an Associate professor and Coordinator of the BSc in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry at Maynooth University. Trinidad's research focuses on developing new and sustainable materials based on carbohydrates for medical applications. She is also very interested in chemical education and is involved in science communication activities in European networks.
Peter Redmond is a world-renowned robotics expert and founder of the entertainment and educational robotics company Mechatrons. He also lectures in the Department of Computer Science in Trinity College Dublin.
Hayden Wilkinson is a Bioprocessing/Biopharma Trainer by day and a music-loving, coffee-drinking, plant eater by night. He recently completed his MSc at the National Institute of Bio-processing, Research and Training at University College Dublin where he was looking into improving the design of biomaterial implants in regenerative medicine. In 2019 Hayden won the FameLab Ireland science communication competition.
This event is hosted by Kildare Library and Arts Service in partnership with
the Department of Chemistry in Maynooth University.
Please book your free ticket via Eventbrite via this link:
https://engaging_children_in_stem_learning.eventbrite.ie
engineers week 2021
science week 2020
First class made some rockets! Watch the videos below to see the launch!
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First class also experimented with blu-tack to see if it would float or sink! They manipulated the shape of it to see if they would get different results.
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Our school has achieved the SFI Discover Science and Maths Award for 2018/2019. We submitted a Log of Evidence of children's engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). We have been awarded the " Plaque of STEM".
Look at our Log of Evidence below. Our Feedback from the awarding body: "Congratulations on your award! It's great to see the whole school getting involved in the STEM activities and investigations. It's clear the students of Scoil Mochua take great pride and joy in their work and that shines through in your digital log of evidence, Well done and keep up the good work!" |
SFI Discover Science & Maths Award
log of evidence
We have been working extremely hard on our application for the a STEM plaque of excellence. This award requires us to document our work in five areas of STEM. The whole school has been engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and STEM Show and Tell activities all year. Take a look at just some of our fantastic STEM work in our Log of Evidence below!
STEM WEEK 2019
We have enjoyed another successful STEM week this year! Children have been participating in a range of exciting lessons, workshops and challenges to promote STEM thought the school. Children created their own amazing inventions, conducted experiments and we even had a visit from the Exploration Dome! Children had the opportunity to gaze at the stars and go on a virtual adventure across our solar system! There were lots of engineering challenges happening in classrooms including spaghetti and marshmallow towers, jelly bean and toothpick structures, paper bridge construction, towers made from cups and lollipop sticks, balloon rockets, paddle boats, paper helicopters, and even an egg parachute!
BUILDING BRIDGES
ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE! - 5th CLASS
intel mini scientist 2018
Great excitement this morning, Friday 12th October 2018, as our 5th class children begin their set up for the Intel Mini Scientist.
Well done to all the children, their parents and teachers on these wonderful, diverse and inspiring projects.
Good luck to you all!
Well done to all the children, their parents and teachers on these wonderful, diverse and inspiring projects.
Good luck to you all!
We have some incredibly inspiring children in 5th class. WOW!
These projects have taken a lot of hard work and dedication. We're very proud!
STEM WEEK 2018
We have been having lots of fun recently taking part in a wide range of STEM activities! Children across the whole school are taking part in exciting lessons, workshops and challenges.
There are lots of engineering challenges happening in classrooms including spaghetti and marshmallow towers, paper bridge construction, towers made from cups and lollipop sticks, balloon rockets, paddles boats, paper helicopters, and even an egg parachute! We are also running a competition for the best invention in each class and there are lots of maths investigations and science experiments happening around the school too!
We also had some fantastic workshops taking place. Senior Infants, 2nd, 4th and 5th classes attended LEARN IT Lego engineering workshops. Junior Infants, 1st and 3rd had BEE BOT programming workshops and 6th Class attended TECH CREATE workshops.
JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO JOIN IN THE FUN, HERE ARE SOME ENGINEERING CHALLENGES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME! USE WHATEVER MATERIALS YOU HAVE SUCH AS PAPER, CARDBOARD, LOLLIPOP STICKS, PEGS, TOILET ROLLS, PAPER CUPS, STRING, STRAWS, EGG BOXES ETC.
1. BUILD A STRUCTURE THAT WILL HOLD A BOOK 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.
2. BUILD A STRUCTURE THAT WILL HOLD AN EGG 2 FEET OFF THE GROUND.
3. BUILD A BRIDGE FROM TABLE TO TABLE (6 INCHES APART OR SO) THAT MATCHBOX CARS CAN CROSS.
4. BUILD THE HIGHEST, FREE-STANDING STRUCTURE YOU CAN BUILD WITH JUST ONE SHEET OF PAPER.
5. MAKE PAPER AIRPLANES AND SEE WHICH DESIGN FLIES THE FARTHEST.
HERE ARE SOME LINKS FOR INSPIRATION:
WWW.ENGINEERSWEEK.IE
WWW.PRIMARYSCIENCE.IE/
WWW.STEPS.IE
WWW.PLAYDOUGHTOPLATO.COM/STEM-PROJECT-STRAW-BRIDGES/
HTTPS://THESTEMLABORATORY.COM/BACKYARD-ENGINEERING-PROJECTS-KIDS/
HTTPS://THEHOMESCHOOLSCIENTIST.COM/PAPER-STRUCTURES-ENGINEERING-CHALLENGE/
HTTPS://THEHOMESCHOOLSCIENTIST.COM/PAPER-STRUCTURES-ENGINEERING-CHALLENGE/
1. BUILD A STRUCTURE THAT WILL HOLD A BOOK 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND.
2. BUILD A STRUCTURE THAT WILL HOLD AN EGG 2 FEET OFF THE GROUND.
3. BUILD A BRIDGE FROM TABLE TO TABLE (6 INCHES APART OR SO) THAT MATCHBOX CARS CAN CROSS.
4. BUILD THE HIGHEST, FREE-STANDING STRUCTURE YOU CAN BUILD WITH JUST ONE SHEET OF PAPER.
5. MAKE PAPER AIRPLANES AND SEE WHICH DESIGN FLIES THE FARTHEST.
HERE ARE SOME LINKS FOR INSPIRATION:
WWW.ENGINEERSWEEK.IE
WWW.PRIMARYSCIENCE.IE/
WWW.STEPS.IE
WWW.PLAYDOUGHTOPLATO.COM/STEM-PROJECT-STRAW-BRIDGES/
HTTPS://THESTEMLABORATORY.COM/BACKYARD-ENGINEERING-PROJECTS-KIDS/
HTTPS://THEHOMESCHOOLSCIENTIST.COM/PAPER-STRUCTURES-ENGINEERING-CHALLENGE/
HTTPS://THEHOMESCHOOLSCIENTIST.COM/PAPER-STRUCTURES-ENGINEERING-CHALLENGE/