STEM on TikTok Spotlight: @leavingcertbiology

The #STEMTok community on TikTok is thriving, with more and more young people engaging with science, technology, engineering, and maths content on the platform. In line with this trend, earlier this year TikTok launched a feed dedicated to STEM across Europe. Since the launch, close to a third of teens across Ireland and the UK are now visiting TikTok's dedicated STEM feed on a weekly basis, and STEM content in Ireland has grown by 20% since its launch. This month, we're spotlighting standout Irish creators who are leading the charge, like Emma Ronan (@leavingcertbiology.ie) who creates entertaining, educational, and accessible content to support Leaving Cert biology students in Ireland. Read more below!

Q: How did you get into STEM, and what motivated you to share it on TikTok specifically?A: I studied Biology and Chemistry for my Leaving Cert and absolutely loved Biology in particular. Due to my love of Biology, it was obvious to me from a young age that I would pursue a career after school in the area of STEM. When I was in school, teaching accounts were not on social media and TikTok did not exist. My motivation to create TikToks came from my passion to support every single student in Ireland on their journey to achieving their own unique goals. TikTok is a platform that is accessible to all students regardless of their financial or educational circumstances. I believed creating an account could help make a positive difference, alleviate stress and dread surrounding study and exams, help guide students, and promote a love of my subjects. TikTok helps me reach and educate students on a platform they use most. Social media can have a bad reputation at times, but now students can use it to view free educational content which is very beneficial. TikTok has enabled teaching methods to evolve.

Q: What are your top tips for students heading back to school this year?A: Try to establish a good routine early on and most importantly maintain a good school/life balance. As I'm teaching full time, I hear first hand the conversations students have about feeling the need to give up their hobbies, etc. Taking breaks to do something you enjoy will result in increased productivity as well as promoting positive mental health! Students should always ask for help if they are struggling in particular areas. Ask their teacher or teachers on social media, chances are they are not the only ones feeling overwhelmed. Another top tip is to prioritise your sleep. You have to view the school year as a marathon and not a sprint, pace yourself. Create a study space separate to your sleeping space, it doesn't have to be a whole room just ensure there's a clear divide between your working space and where you relax.

Q: What STEM trends are you currently loving on TiKTok?A: I personally love following the #womeninstem trend where women from all over the world are educating us on their careers in STEM. It provides a fantastic insight into so many STEM careers and what daily life looks like. There are some excellent open, honest conversations highlighting what is possible, and what is being achieved by so many inspiring women worldwide.

Q: What are your main tips for STEM students ahead of the exams?A: Study smarter by looking at your subjects. In STEM subjects, the structure of papers and percentages of each section should be an area of focus for students. For example, in Biology, Section A is worth 25%, Section B is 15% and Section C is worth 60%. See what topics are guaranteed, or worth the most marks and prioritise these. In Leaving Cert Biology, there are over 40 chapters, however Unit One alone contains only 4 chapters but is worth 25% minimum of the entire LC Paper. Create a study plan with important topics at the centre. I highly recommend students practice past exam paper questions and also view exam marking schemes. These two study methods combined help to familiarise students with common questions, mistakes and tricky wording.

For anyone studying Chemistry or Biology who might spend a lot of their week commuting to/from school or training and matches, I provide completely free Podcast episodes and of course TikToks to help students get their study and revision in when they're on the go. These have proven to be extremely beneficial resources for students who are visual or auditory learners.

Finally, the biggest mistake I see when correcting, and where students tend to lose huge marks is by failing to answer the question that has been asked. Half reading a question or trying to rush can cost you valuable marks. Take your time, in STEM subjects you have plenty of time. Slow down and read each question carefully.

Q: What has been the reaction from your students since you started posting TikToks?A: My student's reactions have been, and continue to be, unbelievably positive. They love being able to engage with my content outside of the classroom, when they are on the bus, studying for tests, travelling to matches on the weekends. I am now supporting and encouraging them outside of school as well as inside. They sometimes even suggest topics and a lot of my ideas come from teaching them. I see first hand what material students are struggling with, I make a TikTok explaining that material, and my students can save it and watch it 24/7. I've extended my classroom outside of the school walls. I believe their enthusiasm for STEM isn't a coincidence and is also credited to this. Posting on TikTok has enabled me to build even stronger relationships with my students, as they see my passion helping them, and students nationwide. They really appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into going that step further for them and meeting them at their level.

Q: What is the biggest challenge for students in STEM? How do you help them overcome it?A: Unfortunately I feel STEM fields can often be viewed as masculine, and only suitable for people with certain academic abilities, particularly in maths. While it is growing and improving, there are still fewer role models for girls to inspire their interest in these fields. Math anxiety is evident to me as a teacher in an all-girls school. I see many girls lose confidence in maths quite early on in secondary school. To overcome these challenges, I give encouragement and promote public awareness to parents about supporting learning opportunities and providing positive messages to their children about their abilities. Females are as capable as males. Through my subject specific @juniorcyclescience.ie, @leavingcertchemistry.ie and @leavingcertbiology.ie TikTok accounts, I try to make STEM enjoyable and fun. Showcasing my own personal love and enthusiasm for these subjects I like to think makes me an active role model for young people. I frequently receive and answer questions from Leaving Cert students and their families regarding STEM courses at Third Level, many of whom now pursue such courses. Their feedback has acknowledged my influence in being part of their final decisions.

Q: What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?A: My favourite TikTok would be a video I posted the day before the Leaving Cert began in 2023. The disheartenment I saw online from students and their obvious anxiety prompted me to make this video. The caption describes what I spoke about 'Discipline trumps motivation, doubt kills more dreams than failure! You have got this, a positive mindset is key, focus on yourself and not others, praise yourself for everything you've done and focus on the present. Believe in yourself, create your own narrative and no exam is ever the end of the world, you just move onto the next one. I believe in you all and in your ability, the hard work is done, do your best that is more than good enough!' This TikTok is my favourite due to feedback from students explaining the feelings of relief and confidence it gave them. The build up and hype on social media particularly around exam time negatively affects young people's mental health.

Q: What other Irish STEM creators are on your For You feed?A:@theagscienceteacher Roisín Coyle is absolutely fantastic. She, like myself, is a secondary school teacher who goes above and beyond on social media to help students nationwide. Her content is engaging, crystal clear and visually appealing.

@mrsmathsireland0 Amanda McGinn is a maths teacher, state examiner, and CPD course creator who provides TikToks and weekly TikTok lives for teachers and students. Amanda breaks down challenging material for students during these lives, answers all questions, and encourages them to never give up. She is a wealth of knowledge.

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