Building and sustaining a vibrant STEM education eco-system for all learners will require ongoing innovation in STEM education. Such innovation should be underpinned by evidence generated through STEM research which can identify successful pedagogical strategies, inform school practice and contribute to the ongoing development of curriculum, policy and teacher education. Building on the already active STEM education research community in Ireland, a new STEM education research model would provide for engagement in funded research with collaboration across all levels of education.