With the new draft primary STEM curricula (found here) due to be live in September 2025 (and with a CSinc member on the development group for the STEM subject area), members of TU Dublin’s CSinc research group are eager to support every primary school in Ireland! Having recently started a Research Ireland funded project called EDTips (Enabling Digital Technology in Primary Schools www.edtips.ie) we have welcomed 350 primary school teachers to our pilot phase! This project is developing resources to support teachers (specifically around confidence) to deliver the Digital Technology strand of the new STEM curriculum, by supporting and developing content and pedagogically content knowledge.  

We will facilitate an EDTips workshop face to face in Laois Education Support Centre, introducing Digital Technology through playful plugged and unplugged activities. We will enable teachers to take the first step in getting to know the new formal curricula, through accessible and beginner-friendly teaching content!

Introduction to Digital Technology
Introduction to Digital Technology is a workshop designed to introduce you to what Digital Technology is and what it looks like in the new Primary STE Curriculum! During this workshop we will explore:
• Digital Technology & the Curriculum – Explore the draft curriculum and discuss how you might integrate it.
• BBC micro:bit Basics – Explore what a BBC micro:bit is, how to use it, how to use the online emulator and how to use it to cover learning outcomes of the curriculum.
• Unplugged Activities – Being mindful that all schools and teachers may not have access to technology, we will introduce you to unplugged technologies to help teach the new concepts, without the need for a device.
• The EDTips Project – Learn how the EDtips project is supporting teachers in implementing the new draft curriculum in the classroom.

Whether you're completely new to digital tech or looking for fresh teaching strategies, this session is packed with practical insights and playful learning experiences!