The eSTÓR team based in the ADAPT Centre at DCU attended the ESB Science Blast from 2–5 March 2025, with an exhibition space in the Teacher Resources Area. The ESB Science Blast is a STEM education programme designed and delivered by the Royal Dublin Society to inspire creativity in STEM among primary school children. It is one of the largest science education initiatives for primary schools globally.
The ESB Science Blast invites primary school classes to investigate a research question of their choosing and present their findings at the event. During the event, students engage with STEM professionals, gaining valuable feedback on their investigations. The event welcomes Irish medium schools and reserves a dedicated day for Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium schools), with the aim of promoting and encouraging the Irish language within STEM education.
The eSTÓR Team attended all four days of the event, gathering data and insights on how primary school teachers use AI to create resources in Irish. On the final day of the event, the Lá Speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna (Special day for Gaelscoileanna), President Catherine Connolly attended the ESB Science Blast and spoke to students, exhibitors and teachers. The eSTÓR representatives, PhD student Jane Adkins and Éanna Ó Connor had the opportunity to speak with President Connolly about eSTÓR’s research, and its work to improve Irish language technology. President Connolly expressed her support for eSTÓR’s work in today’s digital landscape to support the Irish language and was delighted to hear of the project’s recent extension.
