12 Kildare Winners Of Science Foundation Ireland’s 2023 Curious Minds Awards

10 Kildare primary schools received the Gold Award, one received the Silver Award and one received the Platinum Award.

Some 12 primary schools across Kildare receive awards celebrating their achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced today that 12 primary schools in Kildare will be awarded the 2023 Curious Minds Award, celebrating primary schools across Ireland that have adopted innovative approaches to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) learning and engagement. 

Winners: 

• Scoil Phádraig Naofa - Gold Award
• St.Brigid's National School - Gold Award
• Rathcoffey National School - Gold Award
• Scoil Chorbain - Gold Award
• Caragh National School - Gold Award
• North Kildare Educate Together National School - Gold Award
• Scoil Bhríde National School Athgarvan - Gold Award
• Scoil Bhríde, An Chill - Gold Award
• Naas Community National School - Gold Award
• Scoil San Treasa - Gold Award
• Scoil Bhride National School - Platinum Award
• Mercy Convent Primary School - Silver Award

Announcing the 2023 Curious Mind Awards, Minister Simon Harris, TD, said: " I want to congratulate all involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. Through programmes such as the Curious Minds Awards, we see first-hand teachers and schools empowering curiosity through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to STEM learning.” 

 “The high level of engagement this year can be credited to the schools and teachers who have put effort into giving their students access to STEM in a fun, interactive and educational way.”

"The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) programme, run in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), aims to increase interest in STEM among primary school students, parents, and teachers nationwide in a fun and interactive way.

"The awards were granted for a wide range of innovative and engaging STEM activities from investigating renewable energy, growing vegetables, mini-beast hunts, learning about materials and maths through baking, design and make challenges, marble runs, enhancing their technology skills through coding, and using STEM to solve everyday problems," he added.

Primary Schools received awards in three categories: The Silver Award, recognising schools entering for the first time; the Gold Award, for schools further along their STEM journey; and the Platinum Award, for schools who have achieved previous awards and want to integrate STEM into the community further.