Curious Minds Awards

The Curious Minds Awards give your school the opportunity to achieve well-deserved recognition for your work in STEM education.

Every year, we’re amazed to see how teachers and schools across Ireland are innovating to teach STEM subjects. Our Curious Minds Awards are the perfect way to celebrate schools going above and beyond to teach STEM to their students.

Your school might be at the start of their STEM teaching journey. You might be more familiar with teaching STEM and are looking for a new challenge. All schools can enter themselves for an award.

We welcome all applicants and encourage teachers and schools to find out more about how they can get involved.

2025/2026 Deadlines

Friday 17th October 2025

Platinum Award Sign-Up Deadline

Friday 24th October 2025

Submission of Platinum pre-application form

Friday 1st May 2026 (5pm Irish local time)

Submission of all Award applications

Silver Awards

The Silver Award is ideal for schools who are entering for the first time. Two classes from your school must participate.

Gold Awards

The Gold Award is a fantastic option for schools that have completed a Silver Award and are looking to enhance their STEM learning. More than half of the classes in your school must participate.

Platinum Awards

The Platinum Award is suitable for schools that have completed one or more Gold Awards and are looking for a new challenge. This award is a school-wide development project focusing on raising awareness of STEM and how taking part has improved the school community.

A recent evaluation found that taking part in the Curious Minds Awards resulted in:

More science in schools

89% of teachers reported an increase in school science activities.

Greater parental awareness

81% of teachers said that parents have become more aware of science activities in the school.

Greater engagement

79% of of teachers reported an increase in science engagement at the whole-school level.

Get updates on Curious Minds news and events

curiousminds@researchireland.ie