Eight Kilkenny schools win Science Foundation Ireland’s 2023 Curious Minds Awards

Eight primary schools across Kilkenny have received awards celebrating their achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)

The Curious Minds Award celebrates primary schools across Ireland that have adopted innovative approaches to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) learning and engagement. 

Kilkenny winners: 

St Brendan's National School, Newmarket - Gold Award
Scoil Lachtain - Gold Award
St Aidan’s National School - Gold Award
Scoil San Lionard - Gold Award
Ringville National School - Gold Award
St Patrick's National School - Platinum Award
Scoil Naisiunta Lisnafunchin - Silver Award
St Michaels NS Danesfort - Silver Award 

“I am delighted to announce the eight winners of this year’s SFI Curious Minds Awards from Kilkenny," said Minister Simon Harris.

"I want to congratulate all involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. Through programmes such as the Curious Minds Awards, we see first-hand teachers and schools empowering curiosity through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to STEM learning.

“The high level of engagement this year can be credited to the schools and teachers who have put effort into giving their students access to STEM in a fun, interactive and educational way.”

The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) programme, run in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), aims to increase interest in STEM among primary school students, parents, and teachers nationwide in a fun and interactive way.

The awards were granted for a wide range of innovative and engaging STEM activities from investigating renewable energy, growing vegetables, mini-beast hunts, learning about materials and maths through baking, design and make challenges, marble runs, enhancing their technology skills through coding, and using STEM to solve everyday problems.

Primary Schools received awards in three categories: The Silver Award, recognising schools entering for the first time; the Gold Award, for schools further along their STEM journey; and the Platinum Award, for schools who have achieved previous awards and want to integrate STEM into the community further. 

This year, five Kilkenny schools received the Gold Award, two received the silver and once received the Platinum.

Registration for the next Academic Year SFI Curious Minds Awards will open in September 2023. Registration for summer courses and CPD courses for 2023/2024 are open now. For more information about the SFI Curious Minds programme, the Awards, CPD, and inquiry-based resources please visit www.curiousminds.ie  or contact the team on curiousminds@sfi.ie.