Science in Schools Programmes

A new primary science curriculum was recently introduced in Ireland. Intel Ireland supports student learning through a number of Primary School initiatives.

The Intel Mini Scientist Exhibition – a program which allows Primary school students to develop science related projects which are then exhibited at fairs held within their own schools. For more information please visit the Science Fairs in Ireland section. You can also visit www.miniscientist.ie* to learn more.

K’NEX Challenge – a challenge that enables primary school pupils to have a fun and exciting introduction to the world of engineering, design and technology using K’NEX pieces. Intel partners with STEPS to engineering to host K’ targeted at 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class students in the Kildare region. Click here to read more about a recent Intel hosted K’NEX challenge which took place as part of Engineered! A Week of Wonder.

Intel tours for Primary Schools – to align with certain events and initiatives, Intel hosts Primary School tours targeted at 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class. Students are given the opportunity to come and visit Intel in Leixlip where they will see one of Ireland's most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities. The tour includes a brief presentation and video, a robotics activity, an engineering challenge and a short window tour of Intel's fab facility.

Intel is responsible for a number of initiatives that support the uptake of physics, chemistry and technology at this level.

Exploring Electronics
Exploring Electronics is a transition year module which was developed by Cork Institute of Technology. The course focuses on some of the basic steps in developing simple electronic circuits through the approach of theory, simulation and practice. Intel is sponsoring the application of this course in its 'Link Schools'. It is hoped that having completed the course students will appreciate the prevalence of electronics and information technology in the world around them.

Design and Discovery for the classroom
Design and Discovery is being developed by Intel Ireland as a classroom based curriculum for transition year, which introduces students to the exciting world of design and engineering. The curriculum provides a hands-on, inquiry-based experience, identifying and designing creative solutions to everyday problems. Students are introduced to fundamental design and engineering concepts and follow a design process that leads to building prototypes of their ideas. Students are encouraged to prepare and share the results of their work in a mini-engineering fair or to compete in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition which is an Intel ISEF affiliated fair. For more information about this program Click Here*.

Junior Physics Online Tool
Intel worked with the Junior Science Support Service to help teachers introduce the new junior science syllabus which is based on investigation and active learning. The learning outcomes of the new syllabus target specific knowledge, skills and attitudes which means that students are actively engaged in the classroom. Students learn science process skills by actively taking part in practical investigations and activities making science a bit more sense ,a bit more fun, and that students act as real life scientists.

These tools are free to download, Click Here* to access the tools.

Practical Physics at Senior Cycle
As part of an initiative to promote physics among second level students and to assist schools that may have difficulty providing for certain experiments on the Leaving Certificate syllabus, Intel has partnered with the Department of Experimental Physics in National University of Ireland, Maynooth to offer a series of laboratory sessions between November and May of each year. Students can undertake a variety of experiments from the Leaving Certificate syllabus. Demonstrators are on hand to explain the experiments and to assist students in analysing their results. Teachers are provided with a comprehensive laboratory manual in case they would like to do any preparatory work in the weeks leading up to the visit. To find out more about the programme click here*.