In Ireland, children begin to make subject choices that will influence their careers by the end of Primary school. However, at this point, many children have no experiences of engineering and have limited (often inaccurate) views of engineers. With these considerations in mind, and with the support of Research Ireland and the Department of Education, we have designed the Junior Engineer Development Initiative (JEDI).
Junior Engineering Development Initiative
The Junior Engineer Development Initiative (JEDI) project is a training programme for 5th and 6th class children. It has been designed using the latest research in cognitive and social psychology, alongside best practices in educational intervention. The programme focuses on developing children’s engineering skills, their understanding of the attributes needed to be an engineer, and debunking stereotype myths relating to engineering.
We have developed this website to provide you with all the information you need about the JEDI programme but if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing Katie Gilligan-Lee at katie.gilligan-lee@ucd.ie
The researchers leading the development of the JEDI programme are from University College Dublin (UCD), the Institute of Education Dublin City University (DCU), Technological University of the Shannon, and the University of Surrey. More information about the researchers can be found on our Team page. The project is funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Education.
We are inviting primary schools and engineering companies from across the Republic of Ireland to participate. We are particularly keen to hear from DEIS schools about how we can facilitate their participation.
Schools
We are recruiting 5th and 6th classes to participate in the JEDI programme. JEDI is a whole-class programme in which participating classes will complete four 60-minute structured engineering sessions led by their classroom teacher. During one of these sessions, the class will be visited by a practicing engineer that is trained in engineering outreach. As this is the first year of the programme, we are evaluating its success. Therefore, we will ask participating classes to complete an evaluation worksheet before and after the programme. To learn more about participating please visit our school page.
Engineering Companies
We are recruiting engineering organisations from across the Republic of Ireland irrespective of engineering discipline. If you choose to participate, we will ask that you nominate three members of staff to each complete our engineer outreach training and two school visits. To learn more about participating please visit our engineer’s page.
The JEDI programme will launch in September 2025 and there will be two waves of participation. Schools will either participate in October-November 2025 or February-March 2026.
Aims and objectives
The JEDI programme aims to improve children’s perceptions of engineers and engineering through the generation of collaborative relationships between researchers, schools and engineering organisations.
Objective 1
Improve primary school children’s engineering skills and reduce negative stereotypes of engineers/engineering.
Objective 2
Provide professional development and resources for teachers to a) specifically deliver the JEDI programme, and b) develop their understanding of teaching engineering skills aligned with the new Science, Technology and Engineering curriculum goals (NCCA 2025).
Objective 3
Provide engineering organisations with engineering outreach training and opportunities for meaningful engagement with local primary schools.
