News School of Education lecturer addresses Oireachtas Education Committee on the Future of STEM in Irish Education

April 18th, our colleague Dr Cornelia Connolly, was invited to appear at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Associate Professor Cornelia Connolly delivered a powerful speech to the Education Committee on the Future of STEM in Irish Education, where she highlighted the need to develop a shared understanding and strengthen the acceptance of Computer Science as a foundational competence for every child, irrespective of race, gender or socioeconomic background.

Dr. Connolly's insights and recommendations will have a significant impact on future policies and initiatives to advance equality in STEM. Her speech has been widely praised not only by Oireachtas members, but also by academics and experts in the field of STEM education.

The transcript of her opening statement is available here.

Dr Connolly highlighted the recent research findings by the University of Galway School of Education in regard to capacity for, access to, and participation in Computer Science Education in Ireland (https://doi.org/10.13025/bccm-2c38).‌

Watch the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, roundtable Discussion on the Future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in Irish Education with School of Education Associate Professor, Dr Cornelia Connolly. (Video starts at 28 seconds)