Students from 19 schools across Ireland received the first ever Irish CREST Awards for achievements in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The book explores the many ways in which the use of technology can transform schools, the way teachers work, and above all how children learn.

Minister for Education and Skills Mary Coughlan has announced that 3,300 primary schools across the country will receive €24m in technology grants.

A €150 million computers scheme has been announced by Government which will put a laptop, software and a digital projector in every classroom.

A sponsorship arrangement, which saw five firms donating €15 million over three years towards broadband costs in schools, will not be renewed.

A new expert group has been set up to examine how the Department of Education can work with the private sector to improve ICT in the classroom.

Knockaclarig National School, Castleisland, Co Kerry was announced winner in its category in the European-wide eTwinning competition for schools.

Delegates from Ireland, UK, Europe, Asia, US and Australia gather in Cork this week for the 6th European Conference on Wireless Sensor Networks.

The winners’ simple but effective invention is a “marketable product” and “will be of tremendous commercial help to farmers”, the judges said.

Nearly EUR1 million has been wasted on an email service that is available to only 21 schools nationwide, Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes has claimed.

The Computer Clubhouse is an after-school technology centre for young people, aged 8-18 years, from under-served communities in Dublin 8.

John Walshe recalls his sojourn in Cocoa Beach in Florida in 2004, where he was a guest of FAS (and where the Health Minister got the fated hairdo).

As European City of Science, Dublin will host Euroscience Open Forum in 2012, an event which is likely to attract 8,000 delegates internationally.

Students can now get mobile broadband for 13 euro a month, following a deal between O2 and HEAnet (National Education and Research Network).

The world’s first biodegradable computer – built from bio-degradable wood panels manufactured from lumber waste – has been produced in Dublin.

The researchers wanted to create a “natural way” for students to use computers in class so they made the computer part of the desk.

Galway Education Centre has been awarded for its excellent work in promoting the importance of science and engineering to Ireland’s future.

A new adult profiling tool looks at a person’s learning style and enables identification of specific areas of difficulty that the person may have.

Fine Gael spokesman Brian Hayes challenged Minister O’Keeffe to state unequivocally that the EUR252 million for ICT in schools was guaranteed.

A new report on primary science teaching states that children are enthusiastic but have too few opportunities for hands-on application of skills.