Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens, a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture, Food & Animal Health at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), has been appointed as Scientix ambassador for Ireland. Caroline is the first DkIT professor to be appointed a Scientix ambassador.

Scientix is a community for science education in Europe that aims to improve quality and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics studies. Fostered by the European Schoolnet (EUN), Scientix is a programme composed by thirty-four European ministries of education involved in promoting education innovation and improving excellence in teaching and learning.

The European initiative appoints representatives (ambassadors and deputy ambassadors) in each European country in order to promote Scientix activities among education professionals. The ambassadors present innovative STEM practices in schools and workshops, and provide advice for teachers on how to collaborate across Europe within the STEM sector.

Speaking about the appointment, Caroline said:

“I am honoured to be appointed as a Scientix Ambassador for Ireland. This role provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with educators across Europe, share innovative STEM practices, and inspire the next generation of scientists. I look forward to supporting teachers in integrating cutting-edge resources into their classrooms, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for STEM.