SPARK Research Centre

The Centre responds to a growing need for integrated STEM approaches in primary education, where pupils engage with real-world challenges through inquiry, design, digital technologies, creativity, and hands-on learning.

We work with teachers, student teachers, researchers, schools, and communities to develop innovative, inclusive, and research-informed approaches to STEM teaching and learning in primary education.

At SPARK, we view STEM, not only as a set of subjects, but as a way of thinking, questioning, creating, and solving problems. Our research explores how children, teachers, schools, and communities can be supported to participate confidently and meaningfully in STEM learning.

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance research, practice and policy in primary STEM education by:

• Conducting high-quality, practice-based research
• Supporting teachers and student teachers in STEM pedagogy
• Developing innovative approaches to integrated STEM learning
• Exploring the role of digital technologies, AI, VR, AR, and makerspaces in education
• Promoting equity, inclusion, and access in STEM
• Building strong partnerships with schools, communities, policymakers, and national and international organisations

Department of STEM Education

• Dr Aysegul Liman Kaban
• Dr Anne O'Dwyer
• Dr Michelle Fitzpatrick
• Prof. Aisling Leavy
• Dr Claire Carroll
• Clodagh Cleary
• Dr Edward Corry
• Dr Mairéad Hourigan
• Dr Maeve Liston
• Dr Michael McNamara
• Breed Murphy
• Dr John O'Shea
• Mairéad Ryan
• Dr Keith Young
• Dr Emma O'Brien
• Annette Creegan
• Dr Maria Varvarigou

CRAFT Maker Space - Dr Eleanor Walsh

Further details available through Department of STEM staff directory.

Advisory Board

• Prof. Jennifer Johnston, Mary Immaculate College
• Prof. Dr. Anthony Éamonn Kelly, George Mason University
• Prof. Merrilyn Goos, The University of Queensland
• Dr Ailison Cullinane, University of Edinburgh
• Prof. Dr Mehmet Sencer Çorlu, University of Doha

SPARK Research Centre Supports

• Research projects in primary STEM education
• School-based innovation and classroom research
• Teacher professional development
• Curriculum and resource development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Public engagement and outreach
• Postgraduate and doctoral research 
• National and international partnerships
• Evidence-informed policy and practice

For Schools and Teachers

SPARK works closely with schools and teachers to co-design, implement, and evaluate innovative STEM learning experiences. 

We welcome collaboration with schools interested in: 

• Integrated STEM projects
• Digital technologies and creative learning
• AI, VR, AR, coding, robotics, and makerspaces
• Classroom-based research
• Teacher professional learning
• Pupil voice and engagement
• Sustainability and real-world problem-solving

Reimagining Stories with Green Screen Technology

This project explores how green screen technology can support storytelling, creativity, STEM learning, visual arts, and drama in primary education. It brings together interdisciplinary expertise to investigate how digital storytelling can enhance pupils’ communication, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

Dive In! Ocean Conservation through Immersive Technologies

In partnership with Oide Technology in Education and participating schools, this project supports teachers and pupils in using immersive technologies to explore ocean conservation. Pupils create VR-based stories and solutions linked to environmental awareness and integrated STEM learning.

SPARK Project: STEM Partnerships for Action, Relevance, and Knowledge

Through a School-University partnership, this project aims to support a collaboration between primary teachers, preservice teachers and STEM teacher educators as they co-create, implement and revise rich STEM learning experiences in the classroom. Focusing on sustainability issues such as climate change and food waste, the project focuses on moving beyond awareness of problems to developing understanding and solutions through interdisciplinary knowledge.

Minecraft Education in Initial Teacher Education

This research investigates how Minecraft Education can support pre-service teachers in designing engaging, curriculum-aligned STEM lessons. The project examines digital game-based learning, teacher confidence, computational thinking, and practical classroom implementation.

AI and STEM Teacher Education

SPARK investigates how generative AI can be used responsibly in teacher education, lesson planning, formative feedback, and professional learning. This work focuses on teacher agency, ethical use, curriculum alignment, and meaningful human-AI.

MIXAP-EU

SPARK contributes to the Erasmus+ MIXAP-EU project, which explores mixed reality authoring applications for and by teachers in Europe. The project supports teachers in creating interactive AR/MR learning experiences without requiring coding expertise.