Lead Department
Biological Sciences
Coordinated By
Linda Kerr (Linda.Kerr@mtu.ie)
Active Members
7
Purpose
The Supporting Underprivileged Students Learning Community was established to provide laboratory-based learning opportunities to students from the Cork Life Centre. This voluntary organisation offers alternative education pathways to marginalised young people. As the Centre does not have laboratory facilities, this initiative allows students to gain hands-on practical experience, reinforcing the scientific theories they learn in their classrooms.
During the 2023/24 academic year, two workshops were successfully delivered to students from the Cork Life Centre
- Senior Cycle Workshop (Semester 1):
- Focused on key laboratory practical’s relevant to Leaving Certificate students.
- Included experiments from frequently examined sections of the syllabus.
- Enabled students to gain hands-on experience, increasing their confidence and understanding of the subject.
- Some students expressed interest in pursuing further study at MTU.
- Junior Cycle Workshop (Semester 2):
- Designed to showcase the fun and engaging aspects of science.
- Included interactive demonstrations in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Featured experiments such as observing heart tissue under a microscope and creating elephant toothpaste, which proved particularly popular.
- Helped students make connections between theory and practical applications, boosting their enthusiasm for science.
Benefits
- Provided students with much-needed laboratory experience, improving their confidence and understanding of science.
- Offered a fun and engaging learning experience, helping students see the real-world applications of their studies.
- Strengthened the connection between MTU and the Cork Life Centre, offering students a glimpse of higher education opportunities.
- Inspired some students to consider studying science at senior cycle and beyond.
Impact
- 8 students participated in the workshops.
Future plANS
- The Learning Community aims to continue developing the Life Centre Outreach Programme, with plans to secure further funding to sustain and expand these workshops.
- A new initiative will be introduced as part of the CIT Module, where a teacher and a past pupil from the Life Centre will visit MTU first-year students to share their experiences.
- The project prioritises student learning and well-being, ensuring that their academic progress remains the focus while benefiting from additional support and mentoring.
- Further funding would be welcomed to enhance the programme and continue to provide transformative experiences for Life Centre students, showcasing future educational opportunities.
