On June 12th, 2025, the second event in CASTeL’s Spotlight on Research series took place on DCU’s St. Patrick’s Campus. Titled “Transforming STEM Education: Policy, Practice into Progress,” the symposium brought together stakeholders from across Ireland’s STEM education landscape to explore and challenge evidence-informed best practices through dynamic discussion and dialogue.

 

The event opened with a welcome from Dr. Cliona Murphy (CASTeL Director) and Prof. Daire Keogh (DCU President), followed by a keynote from Berni McNally, Secretary General of the Department of Education. Berni reflected on the Department’s evolving approach to integrating research into policy and practice, highlighting current initiatives aimed at strengthening the research-policy-practice nexus in STEM education.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Berni McNally, Arlene Forster (NCCA), Anthony Kilcoyne (Oide), Brendan Owens (Research Ireland), and Paul Grimes (CASTeL). The panel explored the roles of policy, research, and practice in shaping the future of STEM education, identifying key research questions and strategic partnerships needed to address sectoral challenges.

Dr. Selina McCoy (ESRI) delivered the second keynote, presenting findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study and addressing social and gender inequalities in STEM. This was followed by a practitioner panel featuring Nicola O’Reilly, Sean Smyth, Mary O’Donnell, and David Whittaker, who shared insights from    early years, primary, post-primary, and tertiary STEM education settings. 

The final keynote was delivered by CASTeL’s Dr. Eamon Costello, who gave a thought-provoking presentation on the role of AI in STEM education research. He was later joined by Natalie O’Neill, Peter Tiernan, and Leah Ridgeway for a reflective discussion on the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the future of STEM education