STEM funding boost for 18 schools in Louth

18 schools in Louth are set to benefit from a trebling of the budget for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grants to schools, it was announced last week by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD.

€4.7 is being provided in funding for STEM projects in schools across the State, which represents an increased allocation from the €1.5m originally announced.

In total 12 primary and six post-primary schools in Louth are receiving funding amounts of between €1,000 and €10,000. The schools will receive eighty-five percent of the funding in 2023 with the remaining fifteen percent paid following a reporting and evaluation process in 2024.

The successful projects include a focus on coding, robotics, growing plants without soil, modules on AI, interpreting weather patterns, film and animation, student STEM Clubs and Community-Based Science Fairs. The schools in Louth to receive the STEM grants are:

Primary Schools:

• St Mary's N.S - €5,311.51
• Scoil Naomh Fainche - €9,980.00 
• Bellurgan N.S - €10,000.00
• St. Finain’s NS - €9,575.00
• Muchgrange NS - €9,516.00
• Scoil Mhuire ns Trocaire - €10,000.00
• SN Muire - €10,000.00
• St Nicholas NS C. of I. - €10,000.00
• Scoil Naomh Buithe - €9,575.00
• Redeemer Girls N.S - €6,095.00
• St. Paul’s Senior National School - €10,000.00
• St Mary's Parish Primary School - €9,980.00

Post Primary Schools: 

• St Mary’s Diocesan School - €10,000.00
• Our Lady's College - €9,595.00
• St Mary's College - €10,000.00
• St Vincent's Secondary School - €10,000.00
• Ó Fiaich College - €9,999.01
• Ardee Community School - €7,644.00

Commenting on the fact that 446 primary and 85 post-primary schools across the country are to receive funding Minister Foley said:

"We have had an overwhelming response to the grant scheme, with in excess of 2,700 applications. It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and passion exhibited by schools across the country in their pursuit of excellence in STEM education."
 
The upsurge in applications for the STEM grants comes in the wake of the very positive eight point increase in science literacy scores by Irish students in the recently published OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results.

Irish students have moved from twenty-second place to twelfth place in science literacy amongst the 81 countries taking part in the PISA project.

Minister Foley said: “I recognise the pivotal role that Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and the Arts play in fostering the skills that our students need for success in various aspects of life. The STEM grant scheme aims to empower schools to provide the high-quality STEM education required for all their students."