Lifetime Lab hosts Discover Primary science Awards

On Friday June 23rd over 60 schools from all over Munster received Awards of Science Excellence at Lifetime Lab. The Awards are given in recognition of the increased participation and knowledge gained through the Discover Primary Science (DPS) programme.

Participation in the programme has increased year on year and now reaches some 1,300 schools nationwide. The Discover Primary Science programme was developed to help primary school children understand the extensive part that modern science plays in their everyday lives. This year, 302 schools will receive awards, reflecting a significant growth in interest in science at primary level.

Commenting on the success of the programme and the Awards, Mr. Micheal Martin, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: “We are delighted with the growing level of participation in the Discover Primary Science programme and in particular the Awards of Science Excellence. It is imperative that Ireland continues to foster interest in the areas of science, engineering and technology to maintain our leading position and competitiveness in these sectors into the future. Each award has been thoroughly deserved and teachers nationwide should be commended for their enthusiasm and the encouragement they give their students. Without their support, the programme would not be the success it is today”.

Also commenting, Mr Peter Brabazon, Director of the Discover Science & Engineering programme said that: “Discover Primary Science is one of our key programmes, aimed at making science more accessible at primary level. The increase in participating schools is testament to the growing awareness of the importance of science and the growing interest in science at primary school level. Thanks to the additional funding received and further proposed, we have been enabled to expand our reach, develop the number of DPS accredited Discover Centres nationwide, and opened up science at primary level to increasing numbers”.

Hands-on training sessions are provided for a nominated teacher from each school participating in the programme, while a range of resources are then supplied to participating classes. These include a pack of 31 easy-to-follow science activities, helpful hints for teachers and explanations of the science background for each activity. In addition, teachers are introduced to the dedicated website www.primaryscience.ie which is full of useful information and includes a seasonal newsletter for registered schools.

Schools applying for an Award of Science Excellence were required to keep a Discovery Log recording their science related work. Credit was given for completing a certain number of activities from the classroom activity pack as well as additional tasks such as visiting one of the 11 DPS accredited Discover Science Centres. In addition, participating schools could invite speakers to talk about science, take part in the pilot Green Wave Project 2006, and many other explorative and hands-on activities to encourage continued discovery into science.