SERC and Dundalk Institute of Technology Partner for Exciting New Engineering Project

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is partnering with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) for the implementation of an exciting new engineering programme for primary schools.

Supported through the All Island Fund, the project aims to support primary school teachers who may not have studied a STEM subject for many years, by helping them to deliver inspiring engineering lessons for their pupils. The partnership will pilot the development of lesson plans, train teachers and manufacture engineering kits that enable the pupils to build structures and machines.     

The project started in September 2023 and will conclude in June 2024, with a full evaluation that will support further funding applications to enable the lesson packs to be rolled out on a much larger scale.  

SERC’s Deputy Head of School for Computing and Engineering, Aine McGreeghan said: “In our primary schools in Northern Ireland, our young people do not get a lot of opportunity to learn about engineering and its importance to society.  We are keen for primary school teachers to have “off-the-shelf” lessons that they can use to enhance the curriculum and introduce engineering at a young age.  This pilot will give us an opportunity to work with local teachers to develop lessons that will be easy to deliver in the primary school classroom setting.”

Speaking about the project, Gareth Kelly, Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering at DkIT said: “Here at Dundalk Institute of Technology, we are passionate about empowering people with STEM subjects. For over 50 years our graduates have been at the forefront of the technological revolution in Ireland. We are proud to work with SERC, as we reach out together to schools throughout the island of Ireland. By working together with the diverse communities living in this region, we will showcase the dynamic and exciting possibilities that are unlocked when young people are given the opportunity to fully develop their potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”  

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