DkIT’s innovative environmental education initiative H2O Heroes awarded over €298,000 through the Research Ireland Discover Programme
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, have today announced almost €6 million in funding to support 32 projects designed to engage the public in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the Research Ireland Discover Programme.
The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a national initiative to widen participation in STEM. This year’s projects will engage with people of all ages, from early childhood through to adulthood, through creative, community-embedded and inclusive approaches to STEM engagement.
Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said:
“STEM is one of the most powerful forces driving Ireland’s creativity, resilience and future prosperity. The projects announced today will widen access to STEM by bringing wonder, curiosity and real opportunities for learning into people’s everyday lives. This investment isn’t just about supporting programmes – it’s about sparking imaginations. It brings conversations about research and innovation directly into our communities and helps nurture a new generation of explorers, problem solvers and innovators who will shape Ireland’s future.”
Among the projects granted funding was Dundalk Institute of Technology’s award-winning environmental education initiative H2O Heroes, led by Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens and Dr Suzanne Linnane. H2O Heroes is set to receive over €298,000 of funding through the Research Ireland Discover Programme.
Dr Gilleran Stephens said:
“H2O Heroes was designed to spark curiosity through hands-on STEM learning to build science confidence and promote sustainability by inviting children, families, teachers and communities to explore water quality, biodiversity and climate action under the unifying message, “We all live in a catchment.” It is fantastic to receive this funding and recognition through the Research Ireland Discover Programme, allowing us to widen the impact of H2O Heroes and continuing to support our communities in this area.”
Through curriculum-aligned workshops, inclusive summer camps, Family STEM Nights and community events, participants of all ages in H2O Heroes engage in real-world science using local rivers, lakes and green spaces as outdoor laboratories, with activities such as biological water sampling, biodiversity investigations and game-based learning supported by trained student volunteers and DkIT scientists.
Targeting communities across Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Tipperary, the programme applies Universal Design for Learning principles to ensure accessibility for all learners, while the ‘H2O Superheroes’ teacher-training strand builds long-term school capacity and a partnership with Gaisce enables young people aged 14–24 to volunteer and earn their President’s Award.
Welcoming the announcement and her department’s funding of six projects, Minister Naughton commented:
“Today’s funding is about opening doors for our children and young people. By supporting STEM projects both inside and outside the classroom, we are helping children and young people across Ireland to discover that science, technology, engineering and maths are not abstract subjects, but real career paths that they can step into. This investment will ensure more children and young people can see themselves in STEM, build their confidence, and will empower them to pursue it as part of their future.”
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added:
“The projects funded today highlight the creativity and ambition of Ireland’s STEM engagement community, and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists. They are also playing a vital role in helping people of all ages feel informed and connected to the role of STEM research in society. Research Ireland’s strategy, launched earlier this week, is built on the three pillars of Talent, Economy and Society. We are proud to support these partners as they deliver."
12 higher education institutions and 8 organisations are leading projects in this year’s Discover programme. These are: Circus250 CIC, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Education for Sustainability, Irish Computer Society, Irish Manufacturing Research, Junior Achievement Ire Ltd., Kinia, Mary Immaculate College, Maynooth University, National College of Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Stop.watch Television Ltd., Technological University of the Shannon, The National Concert Hall, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, and University of Galway.
To learn more about H2O Heroes, visit https://h2oheroes.ie/
The full list of awardees can be found here: Funding announced for 32 projects bringing STEM to communities nationwide - Research Ireland
