The purpose of our project “Robotics and Coding in West Cork Schools” is to demonstrate the innovative use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment. Our project will develop an educational environment integrating robotics and coding for the exploration and learning of Science, Technology and Engineering and Maths (STEM) concepts. Cappabue N.S, Drinagh N.S. and Togher N.S. have formed a cluster and will be advised by Gavin Russell a lecturer in the School of Computer Science and Information Technology U.C.C.

Children are naturally curious, adaptable and inquisitive. Digital technology can create an environment that nurtures, values and stretches these attributes. They are all also competencies that our children will need to develop to thrive in the future.

Launching the School Excellence Fund – Digital, Minister Bruton said, “The School Excellence Fund is designed to ensure that innovation in schools is supported and rewarded. School Excellence Fund- Digital will support clusters of schools to collaborate and work together in really exciting ways on projects related to teaching and learning using digital. Truly transformative change does not come from the centre but from the ground up, schools and teachers working together and sharing good practice.

“This is one of a number of actions we are taking to really embed digital technology in teaching and learning, as this will be key to achieving our ambition to become the best in Europe by 2026. We must ensure our students are well equipped to thrive in a future which will be transformed by technology and I look forward to seeing the projects which emerge from this first call”

Information on this scheme, can be found at: http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Good-Practice/Projects/Clusters/