Organisation profile
Organisation profile
The disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, known collectively as STEM, play an important role in today's world. Developing STEM-related literacies, promoting creative and critical thinking and advancing problem solving skills are now important components of school curricula. The Department of STEM Education is committed to providing equitable access to STEM experiences and literacy for all learners.
We build and cultivate knowledge, attitudes and skills in STEM disciplines through socially responsive and innovative research, experiential and inquiry-based teaching and learning, the development of partnerships with schools and industry and through the preparation of teachers who are STEM literate.
We prepare teachers to draw on technology-enhanced learning to support the development of pedagogies in all curriculum subjects, to utilise a range of innovative teaching and learning modalities and to become future leaders in STEM education in their schools.
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
-
SPARK: SPARK- STEM Partnerships for Action, Relevance, and Knowledge: A school-university partnership of educators to support integrated STEM learning and understanding of societal issues
Fitzpatrick, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI), Leavy, A. (CoI), Hourigan, M. (CoI), Carroll, C. (CoI), Murphy, B. (CoI) & Ryan, M. (CoI)
1/01/26 → 31/12/26
Project: Teaching & Learning
-
Dive In! Raising Awareness of Ocean Conservation through the Use of Immersive Technologies within an Integrated STEM Approach
McNamara, M. (PI), Young, K. (CoPI), Liman-Kaban, A. (CoPI) & Corry, E. (CoPI)
1/12/25 → 1/07/30
Project: Research
-
PROTECT: Erasmus+ Pupil-led Response to the Effects of Climate Change on Their Local Communities
McInerney, R. (PI), Corry, E. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Leavy, A. (CoPI) & O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI)
1/09/25 → 31/08/28
Project: Research
-
MIXAP-EU: MIXed reality authoring APplications for and by teachers in EUrope
Liman-Kaban, A. (PI) & Ersoy, Z. (Research Assistant)
2/09/24 → 29/10/27
Project: Research
-
Studio LAB Encounters: Becoming STEAM Educators
Morrin, A. M. (PI), Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Liston, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI) & Corry, E. (CoPI)
15/11/21 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
-
Creating interactive learning with Mixed Reality in Primary Education
Liman Kaban, D. A., Kiran, T. A. & Jedi, L., 2026, STEM Education Conference.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
-
Designing an AI-Assisted Chatbot Evaluator for Preservice Teachers’ Science Lesson Plans
Ryan, M., Dwyer, A. & Liman Kaban, D. A., 2026, International Technology, Education and Development: INTED2026 Proceedings 20th conference. IATED Digital LibraryResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluating the impact of a digital competency-based placement model on STEM pre-service teachers’ digital competence and teaching experiences
Young, K., Küçük, Z. D., Delahunty, T., Dempsey, M. & Maglaperidze, N., Jun 2026, In: Teaching and Teacher Education.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Human vs. machine feedback: Evaluating ChatGPT-4 in the assessment of secondary EFL Learners’ writing
Liman Kaban, D. A., 9 Jun 2026, In: ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF EDUCATORS AND EDUCATION . 41, 1, p. 159-187 27 p., 7.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Integrating STEAM and Child Voice in Climate Change Education: A Local Perspective
Corry, E., Dwyer, A., Hourigan, M. & Leavy, A., 6 Mar 2026, Proceedings of the 20th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2026).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Activities
-
The SPARK Project: Cultivating STEM Literacies for Planetary Health and Agency
Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker), O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker), Ryan, M. (Speaker), Leavy, A. (Speaker), Carroll, C. (Speaker) & Murphy, B. (Speaker)
11 Jun 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
-
Lesson Study as a catalyst to promote STEM Teacher Educators’ Professional Learning and Innovative Practice
Ryan, M. (Speaker), O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker) & Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker)
11 Jun 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
-
Beyond the Silo: A Collaborative Inquiry into Mathematics Teacher Educators’ Practice in Integrated STEM Education
Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker) & O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker)
5 Jun 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
-
Strengthening Teacher Educator Practice: A Collaborative Inquiry into the Affordances of Lesson Study
Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker), O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker) & Ryan, M. (Speaker)
5 Jun 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
-
Navigating and Learning in a new Landscape: STEM teacher educators’ collaborative professional learning
O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker), Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker) & Hourigan, M. (Speaker)
30 May 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
Prizes
-
-
-
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology Scholarship
O'Dwyer, A. (Recipient), 1 Aug 2009
Prize: Scholarship / Studentship
-
-
Press/Media
-
Minister for Education Norma Foley and the Teaching Council announce landmark research study on teaching in Ireland
Conway, P., Leavy, A., Smyth, E., Hourigan, M., Ní Chróinín, D. & Fitzgerald, J.
2/04/24 → 2/08/24
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media
-
Data from Mary Immaculate College Broaden Understanding of Engineering (Primary teachers' learning experiences of integrated STEM education)
2/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
-
MIC Plays Major Role in Pioneering €2.8 million Study Charting Teachers’ Professional Journeys
Conway, P., Leavy, A., Smyth, E., Hourigan, M., Fitzgerald, J. & Ní Chróinín, D.
3/04/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
-
Studies from University of Limerick Have Provided New Data on Pediatrics ('i Have Seen Stem In Action and It's Quite Do-able!' the Impact of an Extended Professional Development Model On Teacher Efficacy In Primary Stem Education)
Hourigan, M., Leavy, A., Dwyer, A. & Corry, E.
14/04/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
-
Consultation reports published on the Draft Primary Mathematics Curriculum: MIC
Leavy, A., Hourigan, M., Fitzpatrick, M., Harmon, M. & Treacy, M.
1/03/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media