Two local schools were amongst the almost three thousand 4th, 5th and 6th class students from across the country who displayed their class projects at the RDS Primary Science Fair recently.
Scoil Phádraig, Milltown and St Tola’s N.S., Delvin both had projects entered in the science fair, which displays at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
Working under the supervision of their teacher, the entrants are encouraged to be inquisitive and curious about the world around them such as with Scoil Phádraig examining the use of gumshields under the title, ‘How clean are my gum-shields?’ while St Tola’s N.S. undertook a fascinating study on bog preservation with their project, ‘How do bogs preserve bodies?”
According to the Chief Executive of the RDS, Michael Duffy, “the RDS Primary Science Fair is just part of the RDS science programme that cultivates science education at primary school age through engaging with children, teachers and the wider society.”
“Specifically the RDS Primary Science Fair encourages primary school teachers to focus on developing students’ core scientific skills, but teachers have found that language and social skills develop too, as well as being beneficial for children’s confidence. Feedback shows that teacher’s confidence in teaching STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – also improves using this inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning in the classroom.”
The Fair is part of the RDS Science and Technology programme which aims to encourage the development of science and mathematical skills in primary schoolaged children by fostering education innovation and is part of a suite of RDS work that aims to enrich Ireland culturally and economically.
