JEDI Team Attends the 11th SMEC Conference

On the 11th and 12th of June 2026, Katie Gilligan-Lee, Alexandra Broderick Khan and Eímear Quinn attended the 11th SMEC Stem Education conference, held at Dublin City University and hosted by CASTeL (Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning). The theme of the conference was “The Human Element in STEM Education: Community, Innovation, and Sustainability”. Researchers, teachers, and practitioners from across the world came together over the two days, with a wide range of presentations and topics discussed. 

The conference hosted three fantastic keynote presentations, by Dr Wouter van Jooligan on “Learning Science, the skills that come and those that remain”, Dr Lucy Avraamidou on “Learning to live with the world: The role of STEM education”, and Dr Ulrike Sultan on “Stop ‘Fixing’ Girls: Evidence for a Different Approach to Gender in STEM Education”. The remainder of the schedule included various research and poster presentations on topics including spatial ability in primary STEM curriculum, STEAM in early years education, and cybersecurity. 

We were delighted to present a symposium session on the first day of the conference. With Katie Gilligan-Lee chairing the symposium, our team delivered presentations on the Junior Engineer Development Initiative (JEDI) programme. Alexandra Broderick Khan opened the symposium with a detailed insight into children’s perceptions of engineers and engineering in Ireland, with Katie Gilligan-Lee subsequently discussing the JEDI programme and its initial outcomes for participating children, and Eímear Quinn closing the symposium with a discussion of participating teachers’ perceptions and self-efficacy outcomes. We received some insightful questions and comments from several audience members, including practicing engineers, teachers, and researchers. 

It was fantastic to see the meaningful work of members from the Cognition, Development and Learning (CDL) lab, and the JEDI team being showcased at the conference, and the symposium provided a valuable opportunity to engage with a wider audience on the delivery of the JEDI programme. 

The SMEC conference was an inspiring event full of engaging presentations and open conversations. On behalf of the CDL Lab and the JEDI programme, many thanks to the SMEC organising committee for the smooth running of the conference. 

Written by Eímear Quinn