MyScience.ie

493 primary schools across the country have received an Award of Science and Maths Excellence this year as part of the Discover Primary Science (DPS) programme. The awards programme which is organised by Discover Science & Engineering, acknowledges the efforts of primary school children and teachers who have demonstrated an increased knowledge and application of science and maths.

The awards are part of the Discover Primary Science programme, which is a flagship project run by DSE to facilitate teacher training in general primary sciences and promote science and maths among primary school students. Now in its sixth year, the programme has in excess of 3,000 participating schools, with over 3,700 teachers registered on the programme.

Commenting on the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence, Peter Brabazon, Programme Director, Discover Science & Engineering, stated, “On behalf of Discover Science & Engineering, I would like to congratulate all those students and teachers who took part in the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence on their tremendous work. The Discover Primary Science programme has continued its work in fostering an interest in the sciences among students and helping them to acquire skills that will stand to them as they continue their education. A key element of this was the incorporation of maths into this year’s programme, which reflects our efforts to assist in raising Irish students’ performance in the subject.”

In applying for an Award of Science and Maths Excellence, schools were required to keep a Discovery Log recording science related work carried out throughout the year. Credits were awarded for completing a certain number of activities from the DPS classroom activity pack as well as visiting one of the DPS accredited Discover Science Centres. In line with the introduction of maths in this year’s programme, participating schools were asked to give three examples of how they integrate the subject into their science work. Additional credits were awarded for taking part in a number of other DSE programmes including the Greenwave project (www.greenwave.ie), a mass science experiment tracking the arrival of spring across Ireland, as well as contributing to Science Week, DSE’s annual national week long promotion of science and engineering.

Please visit here for further information on the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence and the Discover Primary Science programme.