Eighteen Mayo primary schools win prestigious Research Ireland Curious Minds Award
THE Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced that 18 primary schools in Mayo have won a Research Ireland Curious Minds Award for 2025. The award recognises achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Funded by Research Ireland, this annual initiative seeks to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in primary pupils, their families, and educators throughout Ireland.
The Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards give recognition to schools for their dedication to hands-on, curiosity-driven learning in STEM disciplines.
The 18 Mayo schools which won awards are as follows: Silver Award: Bekan National School; Gold Awards: Burriscarra (Carnacon), Culleens National School (Knockduff), Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche (Br. An Chúrsa Gailf), Quignamanger National School (Creggs Road), SN Cloonliffen (Ballinrobe), Roundfort National School, Robeen National School, Scoil Náisíunta Corrchloch, Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Feichin (An Crois), Scoil Naomh Brid (Ballycastle), Scoil Néifinn (Keenagh), Scoil Phadraig (Newport Road), SN Croi Muire (Belmullet), SN Muine Chonalláin (Ballina), St Joseph’s Primary School (Ballinrobe).
Platinum awards went to Scoil Naomh Bhríde (Ballycroy) and Tamhnaigh an Fheadha (Charlestown).
Each year, thousands of students around the country enthusiastically delve into fascinating topics by conducting a range of practical STEM challenges. These engaging activities include design and make projects, math trails, rocket launches, explorations of school-ground biodiversity, egg drop experiments, pond construction, vegetable cultivation, marble run creations, coding initiatives, and applying STEM principles to solve real-world problems.
Announcing the 2025 Curious Minds Awards, Minister Lawless said: “I’m proud to announce the 2025 Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards, recognising the outstanding efforts of 397 schools across the country. Seeing so many students and schools dedicate themselves to learning and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and maths is a testament to the incredible work happening in classrooms across Ireland. These awards celebrate the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and discovery, that programmes like Curious Minds ignite in young minds.
"Strengthening STEM skills from an early age is essential to empowering our children to shape the world around them as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Initiatives like this help equip the next generation with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world. My sincere congratulations to all the students, teachers, and schools involved for your inspiring commitment."