25 primary school teachers from schools throughout Dublin and the greater Dublin region will participate in the RCSI ‘Come to Your Senses’ summer course from 6-10 July to support the teaching of the primary science curriculum.

A team from RCSI consisting of Ms Maria Kelly (REACH), Dr Marc Devocelle (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Dr Maria Morgan (Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Dr Kenny Winser (Medical Physics) and Dr Jacqueline Daly (Biological Sciences) will run the week-long programme.

The course will use the theme of the human senses to enable primary school teachers develop an interest and enthusiasm for teaching science with direct relevance to the primary science curriculum (Social Environmental and Science Education (SESE). The course promotes learning through doing, and provides teachers with practical experiments and novel ideas for teachers to use in the classroom.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at RCSI, said: “Come to Your Senses with RCSI is an innovative way for teachers to develop their SESE teaching skills and to develop confidence and enthusiasm for teaching science in the classroom. In RCSI we are committed to the advancement of science and learning and this course helps teachers to bring science alive for children in the classroom.” 

The Science Curriculum was formally introduced into Primary Schools in 2003 to encourage children to examine and appreciate how science and technology impact on their lives and on the environment. ‘Come to Your Senses’ is part of RCSI’s Primary Science Initiative which aims to support the teaching of science in the classroom. It is approved by the Department of Education and is fully funded by RCSI.