14 Schools from County Tipperary at ESB Science Blast Limerick

  • Parents of Primary School Kids See Science as Key to Their Future
  • Limerick event packed out with nearly 150 schools from all over Ireland
  • Entire 3rd to 6th classes involved in this non-competitive education initiative investigating the science behind a simple question
  • Research with Munster parents reveals:

o 77% believe basic scientific knowledge gives their children an advantage in life

o 95% want their children to learn science to develop critical thinking and life skills in primary school

  • List of attending Tipperary schools in the appendix

 

Research conducted on behalf of the RDS reveals most parents of primary school students in Munster want to see an increased focus on science education, as they believe it will give their children an advantage in their future careers and be beneficial for society.

14 Schools from County Tipperary at ESB Science Blast Limerick

Pictured at the 2019 ESB Science Blast Limerick is Samuel Isibor from Togher NS, Cork who investigated How much energy do energy drinks really give you.
Delivered by the RDS, ESB Science Blast encourages entire primary school classes to investigate the science behind the world around them and will this year host over 10,000 children. The Limerick event follows on the success of the Dublin event in March, while the Belfast event takes place June 5-6.
Pic Sean Curtin True Media.

This research was commissioned prior to the ESB Science Blast Limerick event and was conducted by iReach amongst 500 parents. Developed and delivered by the RDS, ESB Science Blast Limerick is host to over 3,500 primary school students from nearly 150 schools over three days, May 21-23. Over the three days, 14 classes from primary schools around the county displayed their findings.

 

ESB Science Blast nurtures STEM skills (Science, Maths, Engineering & Maths) with entire primary school classes investigating a simple question about the world around them. It is a great way to learn science in a fun, non-competitive and hands-on method, that has many proven benefits. Alongside ESB as title sponsor, this initiative is part funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the SFI Discover programme, as well as a number of other partners.

14 Schools from County Tipperary at ESB Science Blast Limerick

Pictured at the 2019 ESB Science Blast Limerick is Cian Conway fromKinock NS, Ballyneety who investigated Do Earthworms help growth in plant?.
Delivered by the RDS, ESB Science Blast encourages entire primary school classes to investigate the science behind the world around them and will this year host over 10,000 children. The Limerick event follows on the success of the Dublin event in March, while the Belfast event takes place June 5-6.
Pic Sean Curtin True Media.

Scientific Advances and Advantages

The research shows that 95% of Munster parents identified the growing need for their children to learn life skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. As a result, parents ranked science as one of the top five most important subjects, along with Maths and English, in delivering these life skills.

 

In fact, the research showed parents understand the critical role of science today. 76% of parents in Munster believe a good understanding of science is needed to live and work today. The majority (77%) also believe basic science education will give their kids an advantage in life. A large proportion of parents (62%) talk with their children about science subjects and activities in their school.

 

When it comes to their children’s future, the majority of parents (81%) are open to their child pursing science as a career. Over three quarters (79%) of parents see good career opportunities for their children, if they learn about science.

 

Participating in the ESB Science Blast encourages students to engage with the Four Cs of STEM education: Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication, each an essential part of their investigation. All of the participating schools display the findings to their chosen investigations at Mary Immaculate College. Some of the questions that the students have been investigating this year are: Why is the sky blue? What type of bread moulds the fastest? Can you feel sound? Why is the sea salty? Why are triangles used in structures?

 

The skills that the students gain from working on their investigations are essential science skills, but also vital life skills,” says Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of the RDS. “Such skills are increasingly desirable in workplaces all over the world. The RDS has been cultivating interest in science and helping to develop science skills in Ireland for generations. This is our third year in Limerick, but our first as ESB Science Blast and we have again been delighted with the response from all the schools and teachers. We know that a positive interaction with science at a young age can make a vital difference to later education choices. We hope that all participants enjoy exploring the amazing possibilities of science through their investigation, but that for some of them this is the start of a life-long interest.”

 

ESB is the title sponsor of the event across all three venues. Chief Executive, Pat O’Doherty commented on their involvement: “ESB is committed to supporting STEAM education and learning as a way of empowering young people to fulfil their potential and encouraging them to positively engage with the issues and challenges facing society. ESB Science Blast taps into the innate curiosity and creativity of children to help them develop key 21st century skills that will enable them to critically assess the world around them and become the problem solvers and influencers of the future”.

 

Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland, Dr Ruth Freeman, said: “We are very pleased at Science Foundation Ireland to support ESB Science Blast through our SFI Discoverprogramme. Empowering young people to get involved with STEM in meaningful ways is an important ambition of ours, and something that we actively and continuously work to achieve. Initiatives like this are an example of the passionate teams we collaborate with and support to make this aim a reality. I’m confident that this year’s event in Limerick will welcome attendees with an atmosphere of inspiration and positivity, and wish the organisers the best of luck.”

 

Alongside ESB as title sponsor, this initiative is part funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the SFI Discover Programme, as well as a number of other partners.

 

 

 

Limerick showcase event in numbers:

146 primary classes from 13 counties across Ireland. Cork has the highest representation with 41 schools taking part.

Approximately 3,650 primary school students will take part over the three-day showcase event with each school displaying their findings on one day only of the event.

Tipperary schools in attendance

  • Burncourt NS, Burncourt, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Cappawhite NS, Cappawhite, Cappawhite, Tipperary
  • Gaelscoil Aonach, Bothar Naomh Chonlain, Aonach Urmhumhan, Co Thiobraid Arann, Tipperary
  • Hollyford NS, Hollyford, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Knockavilla NS, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Lackamore NS, Newport, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Moyne NS, Moyne, Thurles, Tipperary
  • Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Scoil Iosef Naofa, Aglish, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
  • Scoil Mhuire, Cill Mheanman, Mullinahone Thurles, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Scoil Mhuire NS, Newcastle, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Scoil Naomh Cualán, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co Tipperary, Tipperary
  • Skeheenarinky NS, An Chuirt Doite, An Chathair, Co Thiobraid Arann, Tipperary
  • St Marys NS, Church Street, Templemore, Tipperary

 

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