Teaching Stem subjects - Rocket science

THERE are two ways that children can be taught science, technology, engineering, and maths: They can be pointed to text books and bored senseless or they can engage with the co-called Stem technologies in an exciting, hands-on manner.

For far too long, Irish education has favoured the first option to the detriment of science teaching and learning, resulting in a deficit of talented and high-skilled Stem workers needed for industry.

That is why exciting initiatives such as the CanSat competition run by the European Space Agency are so important.