200+ Students Get Combined Funding €16.8m From Irish Research Council

Household energy demand, the impact of obesity on motor development, the construction of Irish identity and potential therapies for autoimmune disease are some of the research topics covered.

For example, one of this year’s postgraduate scholarship scheme awardees, Bianca Ní Ghrógáin, a student of Dublin City University, has focused her research on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Her research project is entitled ‘Computers, Creativity and the Flipped Classroom: Using Computer Construction Kits in Primary Schools to Promote STEM and Advance 21st Century Learning – an Exploratory Study’.

“Being awarded the funding to further my research and pursue my postgraduate education is one of the many crucial steps towards my future career,” she said.

“As a primary school teacher, I became very interested in the concept of ‘the flipped classroom’, which basically means pupils learn and process content at home, and then in school the next day jump into doing tasks related to that content. So it is a reversal of the traditional schooling model as homework is now something which is done in-class, whereas instruction or content deliver happens outside of the class online.

“I had considered searching for funding opportunities overseas. However, I now have the opportunity to study here in Ireland and further my research in the use of technology as a pedagogical tool.”