Launch of the BRICS Project (Building a Real-World Integrated Curriculum in STEM) in DCU’s LEGO Education Innovation Studio

3 months ago

Date: Wednesday, 9th October 2024

Location: LEGO Education Innovation Studio, Dublin City University, St Patrick’s Campus

The BRICS Project (Building a Real-World Integrated Curriculum in STEM) was launched on Wednesday at the LEGO Education Innovation Studio on Dublin City University’s St Patrick’s Campus. BRICS is a collaboration between Oide (the Department of Education’s support service for teachers and school leaders) and the LEGO Education Innovation Studio team (Dr. Denis Moynihan, Dr. Anne McMorrough, Emeritus Professor Deirdre Butler) in DCU’s Institute of Education. BRICS is supported by Athlone Education Centre and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). This innovative project, which involves teachers and children from 14 primary schools in the Midlands region, aims to engage children in 3rd to 6th class in real-world integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning during the 2024/25 school year.

Teachers engaged in hands-on activities during the launch event

BRICS comes at a critical time, as STEM education is increasingly recognised as essential for preparing young learners for the future. Globally and nationally, education systems are placing greater emphasis on STEM, and recent updates to the Irish Primary School curriculum reflect this growing focus. The BRICS project responds to these changes by providing a practical and engaging approach to STEM education, supporting teachers to design learning experiences using programmable LEGO Education robotic materials, to foster confidence, curiosity and criticality in children while addressing real-world challenges. Consequently, an integral part of the project includes a series of professional learning supports facilitated by Oide, aimed at supporting teachers to develop the skills and confidence to integrate this innovative approach to STEM learning in their classrooms.

The research to be conducted by the LEGO Education Innovation Studio team is a central part of the BRICS initiative focusing on how primary school teachers in Ireland understand and apply an integrated STEM approach. It also examines the strategies and methods they use when incorporating programmable robotic materials into their lessons. This study further assesses the impact of the BRICS intervention by measuring changes in teachers’ and students’ confidence and skills in STEM subjects.