Get into Geoscience
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€234,940
- Organisation:University College Dublin (UCD)
- Co-funded with Dept of Education:Yes
Project Summary
Geoscience gives us tools to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world – from climate action to sustainably managing our natural resources. Despite the crucial role that it plays in better understanding our planet and humanity’s connection to it, geoscience often suffers from negative perceptions with an associated decrease in the numbers of young people pursuing geoscience as a career. Get into Geoscience is a national initiative that will work with second level students, teachers, geoscience professionals and the creative arts community to challenge stereotypes and explore the role that geoscience plays in Irish society and in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The programme will deliver an interactive national programme that will empower thousands of students and over 100 teachers, and by extension the wider publics, and artists to critically engage with key geoscience questions on renewable energy, natural resources and environmental protection. At the core of the programme is the co-creation of STEM experiences: Transition Year research projects and resources with students and teachers, teacher Continuing Professional Development, a national student art competition, a Career Paths Portal and student showcases. This allows for a holistic reach of primary stakeholders involved in the senior cycle curriculum, with a specific focus on Transition Year and supporting teachers in the roll-out of the new Climate Action and Sustainable Development subject. Working with education researchers and social science researchers, Get into Geoscience will explore key education issues of geoscience sustainability and contention by creating spaces for critical thinking and discussion.