merrion street

Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., opened the Science and Mathematics Education International Conference “Thinking Assessment in Science and Mathematics” in Dublin City University today.

The Conferences are a biennial event, with the first conference in the series held in 2004. Each conference deals with aspects of science and mathematics education and has attracted a host of national and international experts.

This year’s gathering is particularly topical considering the emerging educational landscape and is very much in keeping with the remit of the STEM Education Review Group, launched by Minister Sherlock in November of last year.

It is jointly hosted by the Centre for Advancement of Science and Mathematics in Teaching and Learning (CASTeL) and Strategies for Assessment of Inquiry Learning in Science (SAILS).

Minister Sherlock acknowledged the 200 delegates in attendance, saying that it was encouraging to see such a large interest in the topic.

He said: “These SMEC conferences have addressed many of the key issues around science and mathematics education from primary level through to third level and have always placed the teaching and learning of science and mathematics at the heart of their proceedings.

“I particularly welcome the inclusion of innovative teaching methodologies and assessment and evaluation as issues to be addressed this year. We need to ensure that our students are aware of how they are doing, understand how they can improve and are given the support they need to be confident, independent and ambitious learners.

“Today’s discussions will feed into the work being done in the Department regarding instilling creative and independent thinking in our students, through Project Maths and Junior Cycle reform.”

The Minister thanked the delegates for their invitation and wished them well in their discussions.