Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan today announced five new Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Centres under the SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) programme. The five new centres will bring the total number in Ireland to fifty-nine.
The network of SFI Discover Centres support schools to engage in science education outside of the classroom by offering workshops and activities accredited by the SFI DPSM programme.
The programme aims to introduce primary school students to science in a practical, hands-on, enjoyable and interactive way. SFI Discover Centres are hosted by various amenities across Ireland and include Dublin Zoo, Waterford Nature Park, Dingle Ocean World and Ailwee Caves to name a few. The official launch took place at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Dublin.
The five new centres which will expand the current network are:
Arigna Mining Experience (Co. Roscommon)
Bricks 4 Kidz Creativity Centre (Dublin City and Wexford Town)
Laois Outdoor Education (Co. Laois)
Cool Planet Experience (Powerscourt Centre, Co. Wicklow)
The National Reptile Zoo (Co. Kilkenny)
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan said, "Science Foundation Ireland's Discover Centres will play an important role in fostering innovation and motivating our young people to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. These SFI Discover Centres are of critical importance as we need to inspire the next generation of inventors, problem solvers and creative thinkers. Encouraging school children to interact with and explore STEM in new ways will help us achieve this, and I wish each new centre the best of luck."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
