CuriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme

The programme will increase awareness of paths to STEM education and careers as well as contributing to the development of senior cycle key competencies within a framework that provides equity of access and widens participation.

CuriosiTY provides experiences that support development in line with the four student dimensions of the NCCA Transition Year Programme Statement [1].

Pupils will learn how science works as a multidisciplinary, global endeavour to address societal challenges underpinned by a variety of STEM careers to support this enterprise.
Co-designed with pupils, teachers and staff in UCD Access & Lifelong Learning, this initiative includes targeted measures to enable participation by pupils from 16 UCD-linked DEIS schools, 13 schools in areas of geographical disadvantage linked with the Amgen Biotech Experience programme, and children of women in minority communities involved in Cut From the Same Cloth.

Trained postgraduate researchers will lead a structured programme comprising practical laboratory activities, accessible research seminars, career talks and facility tours for pupils to facilitate informal mentorship.

The initiative builds capacity for education and public engagement (EPE) among postgraduates by (i) providing training to enable them deliver activities during the programme and (ii) further supporting them to deliver at least one engagement activity in a community setting through links developed with participating schools. This framework includes an associated postgraduate module to embed EPE practice.