Climate change is, and will continue, to have a profound impact on our daily lives from the way we work to how we travel.
This is why science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education is critical to raising a future generation of climate change leaders, creators and innovators as we explore solutions to the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Exposing children to STEM at a young age supports their overall academic growth, develops early thinking and reasoning skills. That is why organisations, including ESB, are investing in and supporting initiatives to foster creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration in learning at primary level education.
We want to support the next generation so that they can help us continue transforming Ireland’s energy landscape in a sustainable way while supporting the country achieve its climate targets.
Role and aims of ESB Science Blast
In 2018, we announced an investment of more than €7.5m in a range of STEM and Arts initiatives as part of our Generation Tomorrow programme. This included a partnership with the RDS and the launch of ESB Science Blast, one of the largest science education programmes for primary schools of its kind anywhere.
ESB Science Blast aims to equip a whole generation of primary school children with fundamental lifelong scientific and problem-solving skills, not only preparing them for life in the 21st Century but also opening a future full of possibilities.
The annual showcase events – held in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast – have been growing exponentially with more than 17,000 primary school students participating in 2023.
The programme also aims to:
Encourages and facilitates the development in primary school aged children of long-term interest, understanding, knowledge and skills in STEM subjects.
Encourages and facilitates the development of primary school teachers in teaching STEM skills.
Encourages and facilitates families to engage with children’s STEM education, to nurture a supportive learning environment outside the classroom
How it Works
Every primary school on the island of Ireland is encouraged to investigate the science behind a simple question that interest them using scientific discovery. For example, could we power a toy car using sustainable power? Which fruit has the most electrical charge, and can it light a classroom? Look at some of the creative questions children have investigated in recent years here.
Participating classes work on a collaborative project and are invited to join a showcase event. The learning journey is the most important part of the programme, and classes are paired with an expert judge who give positive encouragement with real enthusiasm for STEM.
The judging is non-competitive with the focus on it being a free and fun-filled, interactive way to engage an entire class with STEM skills. To help classes, tailor-made lesson plans, interactive resources, past questions and ESB Science Blast TV are available here.
ESB Science Blast, delivered by The RDS, is currently funded by ESB as title sponsor, Department of Education, Science Foundation Ireland, An Foras Pátrúnachta, Bristol Myers Squib, COGG, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Foras na Gaeilge, Irish Aid, Irish American Partnership, Jones Engineering, Kainos, Met Éireann, and Teagasc.
More information on ESB Science Blast via here.