School of Education invites school teachers to ‘Submerge yourself in the World Around Us’

Ulster University’s School of Education recently hosted a three-day STEM event in the Collab Lab on the Coleraine campus to mark World Oceans Day.

Held in conjunction with the Northern Ireland STEM Ambassador programme, the project delivered a focused, bespoke two-day Continual Professional Development course to 25 existing Northern Irish Primary school teachers and a one-day training event to approximately 20 student teachers from across teacher training colleges.

The project was held to coincide with the theme of World Oceans Day (which is celebrated annually on 8 June) and focused on human nutrition and sustainable development, providing adapted resources for both teachers, and student teachers with the skills, knowledge and application to effectively teach the topic using the lens of science, with components of technology, engineering, maths, ICT and communication skills.

In keeping with the themes of the Northern Ireland Primary curriculum, a cross-curricular thematic approach was adopted, encouraging teachers to consider language development, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, the Arts and Physical Education.

The event also took the form of hands-on workshops, facilitated discussions and aimed to support a community of practice for primary educators in Northern Ireland. Teachers engaged in a range of experiments, curriculum focused tasks and addressed misconceptions in science.

At the teacher CPD celebratory event, held on the final day, Professor David Barr, Head of the School of Education, commending engagement from the schools and teachers in the CPD training and thanking them for their participation and enthusiasm throughout.

During the celebratory day, Dr Maria Mulhern (Lecturer in Food Science) and Dr Alison Yeates (Lecturer) both from the School of Biomedical Sciences attended to offer support and field any questions from the attendees, along with Dr Chris McGonigle (Senior Lecturer) from the School of Geography & Environmental Sciences.

The final day also presented an opportunity for Dr Johanne Brolly from Royal Society of Chemistry to share a little about her work and Darryl McCullagh, Educational Outreach Officer in the University’s School Outreach team, shared information about Ulster University's Discovery Academy to the school teachers.

Beverley McCormick, Lecturer in the School of Education, explains:

“We were delighted to invited 25 Primary school teachers and World Around Us Coordinators from schools across Northern Ireland to this 3-day event held on the Coleraine campus, along with approximately 20 students on or recently graduated from ITE universities (including Ulster University, Stranmillis College University and St Mary’s College University). 

"During the programme, we were able to provide those educating our young children in schools, with advice, resources and a new way of thinking when it comes to teaching STEM in the classroom that will help the next generation to form a wiser, more sustainable relationship with the environment.

"I would like to thank colleagues across the University, including Professor David Barr, for their support in this project by sharing their knowledge and expertise that contributed to the success of this 3-day event.”