In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Associate Professor Audrey O’Grady as their special guest. Associate Professor O’Grady is a  Lecturer in the Life Sciences with a research specialism in etymology [study of insects] in the Faculty of Science & Engineering at the University of Limerick. Audrey is an EPI·STEM affiliate where she is a member of our PhD supervision team for our next generation of Science and STEMeducators.

Here Associate Professor Audrey O’Grady shares her passionfor teaching science in higher education and her research and public engagement with local schools in relation to the importance of future sustainability, knowledge and care of the natural environment. Audrey has published a number ofresearch papers in relation to innovative pedagogical practices in science education. Audrey speaks to the importance of inspiring your people in science, the need for practical hands on and minds on work in learning science and how scientists can work to make a difference.  

Associate Professor O’Grady has an extensive track record inoutreach and public engagement with local schools, science teachers and pupils in relation to science and pedagogies of science. She is involved in a recent Irish Research Council research partnership project on trees, called ROOTS [ReachingOut to Our Trees] with local primary schools and the University of Limerick. The aim of the project is to support primary teachers and their pupils to become observant of trees, to learn to identify five trees in their locality and to learn something of the science behind trees and their co-existence with other species. Connecting to the life of trees in this way not only teaches the young children the science behind tree identification but it also provides a green space for STEM education, for wellbeing and for community engagement andsustainability. Audrey shares about the work underway to develop the arboretum in the University of Limerick.

The musical selection is from Ben King, a songwriter and guitarist from Nenagh in Co. Tipperary. Ben is a student, in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Musicand Dance in UL. Here Ben performs his own Reggae composition called Warm.