Background
On this page you can find out more about the background of the Discover Science & Engineering Programme and this flagship project - Discover Primary Science. You can learn about how the programme works, what training and resources are available, and after all the hard work what recognition your students can expect. Read about the Awards of Science Excellence for schools who take part in Discover Primary Science and find out about discover centers around Ireland.
Discover Primary Science is a flagship project run by the Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) awareness programme. DSE is managed by Forfás on behalf of the Office of Science & Technology at the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment. The programme aims to develop creativity in our children, show them how important science is to our everyday lives and more importantly how much fun it can be!
DSE's overall objectives are to increase the numbers of students studying the physical sciences, to promote a positive attitude to careers in science, engineering and technology and to foster a greater understanding of science and its value to Irish society.
The target audience for DSE includes students at all levels, (with a particular focus on primary and secondary) their parents and teachers, as well as the wider public. The programme also works closely with third level institutions and with intermediate audiences such as industry and the media.
The Discover Primary Science programme is intended to be an invaluable resource for teachers and students alike by helping large numbers of young children to understand that science isn't just about people in white coats carrying out difficult experiments. It's about fun, discovery and adventure, and it is something which is fundamentally relevant to our everyday lives.
Hands-on training sessions are provided for all teachers participating in the initiative, while a range of resources are then supplied to participating classes. These include a pack of over 30 easy-to-follow science activities, helpful hints for teachers, explanations of the science background for each activity, and how they relate to the SESE curriculum.
Hands-on training sessions are provided for all teachers participating in the Discover Primary Science Programme. The training sessions are given by qualified science trainers on specially assigned induction afternoons, and are hosted based on demand throughout the country in Education Centres. As part of the induction afternoons, the teachers are given the opportunity to carry out all the experiments contained in the practical activity packs.
- A pack of over 30 easy-to-follow prescribed science activities, aimed primarily at 8 - 12 year olds is given to each teacher. The activities cover many scientific topics such as living things, magnets, ourselves, light and colour. Dancing Raisins, Dyeing with Red Cabbage, Snake Spirals and Acrobatic Clowns are just some of the scientific activities that your students will be able to work on.
- Guidelines and clear instructions for each activity.
- Easy to source equipment lists.
- Helpful hints as support for teachers and explanations of the science background for each activity.
- How activities link to the curriculum.
- Certificates are available to all students that participate in Discover Primary Science once the teacher completes and returns an evaluation form. The form will be sent out towards the end of the school year.
- Certificate of participation for every school on receipt of the evaluation form.
- Schools will also have the opportunity to apply for an Award of Science Excellence.
For those schools which excel in their levels of participation in Discover Primary Science, the Awards of Science Excellence have been introduced, which recipient schools can publicly display as a mark of their achievement. Schools can then build on this achievement from year to year.
Eligibility to apply for an Award of Science Excellence is based on meeting criteria by participating in a range of activities, both prescribed and explorative. In 2008, 654 schools received an award.
Discover Centres around Ireland
With a view to expanding the activity of schools involved in Discover Primary Science beyond the school and broadening the experiences of teachers and pupils, a network of Discover Science Centres was also established in 2005. There are 28 participating centres (a full list can be found on the website). School groups participating in Discover Primary Science have been visiting these centres and undertaking curriculum relevant activities through specially designed activity sheets.
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