About Us
CASTeL developed organically within DCU, and latterly across DCU and SPD, through shared interests in science and mathematics education. This interest was first ignited in DCU by a concern about the decline in student preference for science subjects at second level, and by long-term difficulties with mathematics for many students. The initial DCU response was to develop a broad range of events and activities for second-level pupils aimed at demonstrating the inherent attractions and benefits of science subjects, an activity that was replicated by all third-level colleges. Uniquely, however, DCU moved from this response-mode behaviour to a proactive approach involving a deeper analysis of the underlying reasons for the current status of mathematics and science in schools. From this approach, a team of scientists at DCU with a strong interest in education formed the core of CASTeL in 2000. Postgraduate students were recruited, and science education research commenced within the Faculty of Science & Health. At the same time, the focus in SPD was on the implementation of the 1999 Revised Curriculum in primary schools.
The launch of the BSc in Science Education at DCU in 1999 provided the first stimulus for cooperative DCU-SPD work in science education. This developed gradually from 2000 through cooperative teaching, joint outreach activity (for example at RDS Science Live lectures), and cooperative research. In 2003, the new primary science curriculum was launched and this provided a further impetus in SPD to address the need for a clear understanding of science education both from the point of view of teacher education, and of research.
Science & Mathematics Education Conference Series 
Science and Mathematics Education (SMEC 2012)“Teaching at the heart of learning” will take place on the 7-9th June 2012, in DCU, Dublin. It is the fifth in the series of biennially international Science and Mathematics Education Conferences that have been hosted by CASTeL.
The purpose of this conference series is to provide an international platform for the educators of DCU and SPD, of Ireland, and beyond to discuss issues arising in teaching mathematics and science.
The first Science & Mathematics Education Conference (SMEC04) was organised and hosted in DCU by CASTeL in 2004. Previous conferences have focused on themes such as Inquiry-based learning: Facilitating authentic learning experiences in science and mathematics (SMEC 2010); SMEC 2008 looked at the themes around sciences serving science; cross-disciplinary issues in mathematics and science education while SMEC 2006 explored the interconnections between teaching and learning of mathematics and science.
This year we are focusing the attention on teachers as we believe for any improvements in classroom practice that research (science and mathematics education) can suggest it is the teachers who are crucial in bringing these theories and principles to fruition; they are the agent for change. For this reason this year we are cohosting SMEC 2012 along with the project conference ESTABLISH.
Further information on SMEC 2012 can be found here and on ESTABLISH here
