Pupils Poppy Friel and Chloe Kavanagh from Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown, with Aoife Flynn (Meta), and Ross Maguire, Director, CreativeHUT.

Robotics pilot programme rolled out in Meath schools

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STEAM Meath, a fully-funded STEAM learning programme for primary and post-primary schools, was recently launched at Scoil Bhride Primary School, Cannistown, and St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School in Navan.

Supported by Meta, STEAM Meath aims to ignite creativity and transform education in 11 primary schools and eight secondary schools across the county, which is being piloted as a three-year programme.

Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown, pupil Poppy Friel shows off her creation.

STEAM Meath is built around First Lego League, a global team robotics challenge, which has been running in Ireland since 2016. Engaging in First Lego League provides an opportunity for young people to discover robotics and take part in an innovation challenge to solve real-world problems.

Students at the Meath schools have a fun opportunity to discover the world of STEAM and develop key life skills including teamwork, innovation, collaboration, confidence and persistence along with design thinking and programming skills all through the use of a range of hands-on and engaging Lego Education resources.

RIGHT: Aoife Flynn (Meta) looks on as a Scoil Bhríde student builds with Lego.

STEAM covers science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths; activities intrinsic to the Irish curriculum and the Digital Strategy for Schools.

First Lego League is not just about young people building robots; it is about robots building people too, says Ross Maguire of Learnit, the company that coordinates delivery of the Irish programme.

“Cooperation and competition unites teams and, by working together, the young people are taking their first steps to becoming tomorrow’s innovators, creators and problem solvers”.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons (Leas Cathaoirleach, Navan), Aoife Flynn (Meta), Ross Maguire (Creative Hut), Dr. Eadaoin McGovern (Navan Education Support Centre) with pupils of Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown.

A mix of 19 schools across the municipal districts of Ashbourne, Kells, Navan, Ratoath, Trim and Laytown/Bettystown are part of STEAM Meath, embarking on a robotics voyage of discovery. They include small rural schools, larger urban schools, a Gaelscoil, and a diversity of boys, girls, and mixed schools.

Dr Éadaoin McGovern, Director of the Navan Education Support Centre (NESC), said: “It’s fantastic to see schools across Meath gain an opportunity to engage in such an innovative project. Navan Education Support Centre are proud to be a part of this initiative and are excited by the potential impact it will have in local schools. This is an exciting schools project for the region and a unique opportunity to bring the STEAM curriculum to life for teachers and students.”

Eadaoin Lyons (teacher, Scoil Bhride Cannistown), Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons (Leas Cathaoirleach, Navan), Aoife Flynn (Meta), Ross Maguire (Creative Hut), Dr Eadaoin McGovern (Navan Education Support Centre) with (front row from left) Phoebe Kane, Summer Webster, Calum Sheridan, Aoife Corcoran and Connor Kenny.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, Deputy Mayor of Navan said; “I am delighted to see an education initiative that captivates the imagination and promotes interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. By increasing STEAM awareness and enjoyment in schools, I have no doubt young people will be encouraged to consider STEAM subjects in higher education, thereby meeting the big demand for graduates in Ireland’s workforce.”

Throughout the three-year programme, a series of interactive and hands-on student workshops will inspire students and nurture their passion for STEAM subjects. They will encourage students to collaborate, innovate, and apply their knowledge in practical settings.

Noelle Finegan
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