This project explored integrating scientific exploration across the curriculum in an interdisciplinary way, while weaving creative use of ICT into everyday teaching and learning. The project built on our school’s experience with using control technology (since 1999), to create an animated robotic version of a novel. Pupils and teachers worked together to select, study and discuss the novel and break it down into characters and events, which could be animated with robots. Pupils had a range of personally meaningful problems to solve by means of scientific and mathematical exploration. While ostensibly illustrating a story, pupils designed, programmed and debugged robots and engaged in work analogous to that of ‘real’ scientists.

From the January 2008 CESI Newsletter
In October 2007 teachers from around the world met to share ideas, recognise excellence of their peers at the Innovative Teachers Forum (ITF)  in all eighty nine teachers were recognised for their creativity and innovation in the classroom as part of Microsoft Corp.’s worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum .In the Innovation in Content category first place went to Ireland and Tommy Maher, from Scoil Naomh Fiachra Contubrid, Freshford in Co Kilkenny with a project his school developed entitled “Don Quixote Impossible Dreamers”. Tommy’s work shows how Irish Teachers can compete in the world stage. Tommy and his school have been involved in many projects including “Empowering Minds” and earlier when he began working on  projects was developed as part of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) Schools Integration Project (SIP). Tommy’s school has achieved many other accolades for integrating ICT in education including The Digital Schools Award.  See the school website at http://www.clontubrid.ie