STEM Education Conference comes to MIC from May 22-23

STEM Education Conference comes to MIC from May 22-23. Picture shows the 2026 MIC and Dell Robotics Programme. Photo: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is set to host a STEM Education Conference, bringing together professionals to discuss Ireland’s new primary STEM curriculum

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) will host a STEM Education Conference on 22-23 May, bringing together educators, researchers and policymakers to discuss the implementation of Ireland’s new primary STEM curriculum.

Titled Integrated STEM for a Future-Ready Generation: Implementing Ireland’s new primary STEM curriculum through interdisciplinary learning and emerging technologies, this two-day conference will provide a timely forum to examine STEM education from policy through to classroom practice.

In light of the recently introduced primary school STEM curriculum, the conference will focus on the role of integrated and interdisciplinary approaches in supporting creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving among learners. It will also explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on teaching, assessment and student engagement, alongside their ethical and social implications.

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Day one of the conference will centre on research in integrated STEM education, with a particular focus on teacher educators and those engaged in academic research. Day two will shift towards practice, offering workshops designed for in-service and pre-service primary teachers, with an emphasis on classroom application and inclusive learning approaches.

The programme will include contributions from colleagues across primary Higher Education Institutions, alongside other stakeholders including Oide and other professional development providers, the Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Practising and future primary teachers will also showcase classroom best practice in design-based, inquiry-driven learning approaches.

Professor Aisling Leavy, Head of the STEM Education Department at MIC, said, “With a strong history of innovation in integrated STEM, the Department of STEM Education is committed to leading research that supports impactful practice in both initial teacher education and primary classrooms. This conference comes at a pivotal time, with the introduction of the new primary STEM curriculum and its forthcoming implementation. We look forward to welcoming STEM educators on day one to engage with key theoretical perspectives and emerging research, and teachers and practitioners on day two to explore innovative, practice-focused approaches to integrated STEM through interactive workshops.”

On behalf of the STEM Conference Committee, Dr Michael McNamara, Assistant Professor in ICT and Digital Learning, added, “This conference provides much-needed support for educators considering what integrated STEM education might look like in their own contexts. It will provide a dynamic space for teachers, student teachers, teacher educators and other education stakeholders to engage in meaningful and empowering conversations at this time of curriculum change.”