Ministers Lawless and McEntee announce €6.5 million funding for 40 initiatives to inspire STEM public engagement
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, have announced a €6.5 million investment in 40 projects designed to enhance public engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Research Ireland Discover Programme focusses on creating meaningful public engagement with STEM, emphasising collaboration with communities. The programme seeks to drive innovation in STEM education and public engagement, contributing to Ireland’s industry, enterprise, and societal progress.
Announcing the funding, Minister Lawless highlighted the importance of the initiatives: “These Discover-funded projects are crucial for triggering curiosity and encouraging greater participation in STEM across all education levels and within our communities. In particular, this investment will help foster a deeper understanding of STEM among underrepresented voices and inspire many of them to potentially become more involved in studies and careers in these fields. This will empower future generations to tackle societal challenges and share innovative solutions.”
Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO at Research Ireland, welcomed the announcement, stating: “The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a cornerstone of our education and public engagement strategy. We are so pleased to be supporting these 40 projects and look forward to seeing them strengthen STEM engagement across Ireland and encourage more inclusive participation in shaping the future of science and innovation in Ireland.”
ADAPT’s National AI Literacy Initiative for Older Adults was one of the successful projects. Run in collaboration with TU Dublin, this ambitious 2 year initiative aims to bridge the AI knowledge gap for older adults, fostering inclusivity and ensuring their voices shape the future of artificial intelligence.
Further details, including opportunities to participate, are available at: agefriendlyai.ie
