More students than ever before are applying for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses reflecting the growing demand for qualified graduates by companies throughout Ireland. This is the message from government and industry at the start of the national Smart Futures STEM Careers Week, taking place from 29th April – 3rd May. The week, coordinated by Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) – Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)’s educational outreach programme – highlights the opportunities available in these sectors and gives students access to industry representatives in an online forum.

Commenting on the launch of the Smart Futures STEM Careers Week, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, SFI said: “The opportunities available to students in STEM Careers are second-to-none. In the last month alone we have seen medical devices company Nypro Healthcare announce 200 new jobs for Waterford. Indeed, Ireland is the largest MedTech employer in the EU, with almost 25,000 employed in the sector. Other major employers of STEM graduates include ICT, software, pharma, social media and gaming companies – for example four technology companies announced up to 100 new jobs last week. STEM careers are thriving in Ireland and it is vital that our young students are in a position to avail of these exciting opportunities.”

Smart Futures, which is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, is an initiative designed to promote the uptake of STEM subjects and highlight the variety of career opportunities to second level students, teachers and parents. It provides students, teachers, careers guidance counsellors and parents with a range of free resources on the website www.smartfutures.ie. The initiative’s STEM Careers Week will focus on introducing students making CAO decisions to careers in science, technology and engineering, allowing them to submit career questions to three video panel sessions going live on the website, www.smartfutures.ie, during the week. The panel sessions will feature people from SAP, Mainstream Renewable Power, HP, Microsoft and CPL. The campaign is specifically timed to target students who may be considering new course options with the CAO Change of Mind applications open from May 5th.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Seán Sherlock, T.D. Minister for Research and Innovation said: “New technologies and innovation will be central to Ireland’s economic recovery and will shape the future for the next generation of our students. It is critical that students embrace all of the necessary skills that will be needed for them to avail of the wide range of exciting job opportunities that are available in sectors such as ICT, medical devices and energy.”

Minister Sherlock added: “The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week does just that; using new media technologies that are second nature to teenagers. By getting involved in ‘Smart Futures’ the students will have the opportunity to get expert advice from people who work in some of the most exciting jobs in Ireland.”

Susan Moran, Director of the Global Customer Interaction Centre of SAP, one of the participating companies, said: “At SAP we invest heavily in students and approximately 80% of the graduates who come in on work placements end up staying on and working with us. Attracting high-quality graduates is a priority for us as they bring fresh and innovative thinking, which is crucial for the development and success of our company. Smart Futures allows us the opportunity to talk to second level students that might be considering a career in science, technology, engineering or maths, to inform them about what a career in the industry is really like and to help advise them on how they can get started.”

The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week will run on the website www.SmartFutures.ie from 29th April – 3rd May 2013.

Between the months of February and May, students are asked to log their sightings of six species; frog, swallow, horse-chestnut, primrose, hawthorn and ash, in addition to measuring and recording wind speed, rainfall and temperature. The results are recorded on www.greenwave.ie in order to monitor and map the arrival of spring.

Last year 471 Irish primary schools took part in the Greenwave project, submitting 1338 official records of common species and 745 weather observations.

Speaking at the launch of Greenwave 2013, Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock, T.D., said “Educating children at an early age in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is vital if we are to progress and maintain sustainable growth of Ireland’s economy. The Greenwave initiative creates an opportunity for children to engage with science in an interesting, fun and hands-on way, allowing us to teach our children to appreciate the significance of STEM subjects from a young age.”

By taking part in the Greenwave project, schools will have completed part of Step one of the Discover Primary Science and Maths, Awards of Science & Maths Excellence. Primary schools can now register their application for their Awards of Science & Maths Excellence on www.primaryscience.ie.

SciFest aims to create an inclusive and accessible science fair experience that inspires excellence, giving students of all levels the chance to develop research and problem-solving skills, as well as critical thinking, presentation skills and team work.

Students can log on to the newly launched SciFest website and download an entry form. Completed entry forms must be submitted by Friday 8th March. The winners from each science fair will go on to compete at the national final in October, which is sponsored by Discover Science & Engineering (DSE).

SciFest supports the objectives set out by the Government in 2012 to overhaul the Junior Cert programme. The new programme will introduce a school-based model of assessment and a greater emphasis on the acquisition of key skills.

Minister Sherlock said “The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs stresses the importance of STEM in providing the skills necessary to create high quality jobs for the economy. The Department of Jobs Enterprise & Innovation is pleased to be supporting this initiative through the Discover Science & Engineering Programme managed by SFI. The promotion of science is crucial if we are to be guaranteed a steady ‘pipeline’ of young people who choose to study STEM disciplines – this will be vital if we are to become a true knowledge economy.”

Commenting on the launch of SciFest 2013, Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland said:” SFI is pleased to support SciFest as it is vital that we engage and encourage our young people to increase their knowledge of science and engineering. Activities such as SciFest play a key role in encouraging young people to study STEM subjects.’”

In 2012, almost 3,400 students from 227 schools exhibited close to 1,500 projects at SciFest events at third level colleges across the country. An additional 900 students exhibited 400 projects at their own SciFest in-school events.

With over 600 events registered on www.scienceweek.ie “Science Week 2012: Everyday Experimenting” kicks off today! Science Week 2012 Everyday Experimenting aims to demonstrate that science plays a role in our everyday lives and that every day YOU are experimenting.

Co-ordinated by Discover Science & Engineering, Science Week 2012 is taking place from the 11th – 18th November and is a collaboration of events run by colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout Ireland.

The week starts today at the IT Sligo Science Fair with over 5000 people expected to attend. IT Sligo’s Fair is the largest free event for families in the North West and boasts an action-packed programme where discovering the science behind the magic will be a key theme for all age groups!

Key Highlights to take place nationwide include:

• The Rubberbandits ‘do science’.  Limerick’s own, the Rubberbandits, have interviewed some of Ireland’s top scientists and carried out experiments of their own! With two videos already released online (http://www.youtube.com/user/Rubberbandits?gl=IE&hl=en-GB) – the Rubberbandits will most certainly be making another appearance throughout the week!
• ESA Astronaut, Paolo Nespoli who has been in space twice will be arriving in Ireland to celebrate Science Week 2012 Everyday Experimenting. Paolo will be giving a FREE talk in The Little Museum of Dublin on Saturday 17th November. Tickets on first come first serve basis and are available online http://astronautscienceweek2012-estw.eventbrite.ie/
• Science Week Presents is a series of career focused talks where specialists in the field of Water, Space, Gaming and Sport will come together and share their exciting career paths, inspiring secondary students of the career opportunities available should they choose to study science. Talks are taking place from Tuesday 13th Nov – Friday 16th Nov.
• Science Week Movie Nights  is taking place in a number of locations in Dublin where screenings of E.T. and Back to the Future will be shown for FREE! For details on listings visit http://entertainment.ie/festival/Dublin/Science+Week+2012/3711.htm
• Microsoft will be bringing its ‘Inspiring Careers’ talk and workshop on the road, visiting schools around the country. These talks aim to inspire students of the possibilities and exciting career options available to them should they study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
•  Zombie 1Z: The Science Behind the Undead. Theoretical Zombologist Dr Austin from the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies will be teaching how a zombie outbreak might occur, its effects on humans and, importantly how to stop it in Libraries in throughout Dublin.
• Future Fashion: A conversation with Helen Storey. Helen Storey MBE, Professor of Fashion and Science at The London College of Fashion in The Centre for Sustainable Fashion. Helen is renowned for her award winning study on Catalytic Clothing that looks at delivering textile substrates, or simply clothes that can purify air. This free talk will take place in NCAD on Friday 16th from 12noon -2pm.
• Discovery Festival is an interactive exhibit showcasing the best of education, research and industry in Cork through experiments, puzzles and demonstrations. With VEX Robotics competition coming to Ireland for the first time!
• Galway Science & Technology Festival presents CERN ‘Accelerating Science’ Exhibition. Come and learn all about the Higgs Boson, the Big Bang and the Large Hadron Collider and loads of other information relating to the beginning of the Universe and particle physics. There is also a lecture each day at 12pm by staff from NUI Galway and GMIT. Entry fee is €2 and while booking is recommended it is not essential.

28 October 2012

Kilkenny student Simon Bluett picked up the top prize at SciFest@Intel 2012 for his project Easyflick – a system that can remotely control electrical circuits in the home from an app or online.

Dr. Graham Love, Director of Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) and Policy and Communications at Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) presented the winner with his prize – a trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2013, where they will represent Ireland.

SciFest@Intel is an exhibition of the winning projects from 15 regional SciFest fairs which took place earlier this year at Institutes of Technology around the country and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, in Derry.

The national final, SciFest@Intel, gives the winning students an opportunity to showcase their projects at Open Innovation Lab at Intel’s headquarters in Leixlip, Co Kildare and to be in with a chance to win the top prize.

The aim of Simon’s project was to design a system that can remotely control electrical circuits in the home. Recognising that there are already a number of home control products on the market, Simon’s approach was to design a product that could be retrofitted to an existing electrical system.

He designed and developed a small flick unit that clips onto the circuit breaker switches on home switchboards. The unit is controlled via an app or online website, allowing you to control the circuits in your home, wherever you are.

This means that if you are on the way to work and forgot to turn off the light in the kitchen, you can do so from the app!

2012 saw the introduction of a new award, the Global Citizenship and Sustainability Award which was set up to provide opportunities for Irish students to work cooperatively with students in Africa on global issues relating to sustainability.

It provides a platform for students to come together to investigate theories, discover new technologies and advance current knowledge through research and innovation in Ireland and Africa.

At each Institute of Technology the projects which were eligible for this award were passed to a SciFest judging panel. The panel will review all projects from the 15 venues and select one overall winner.

The winning project will receive the SciFest Global Citizenship and Sustainability trophy, a cash prize of €300 and a school visit from the winners of the first Young Scientists Tanzania during their trip to Ireland in January 2013.

Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager said: ‘‘Great science is characterised not by rote-learning and memorisation but by creativity and investigation. The aim of SciFest is to create a science fair experience that is inclusive, accessible and inspires excellence.

“SciFest provides teachers with an opportunity to promote STEM in the classroom in an interesting, innovative and hands-on way. Furthermore, participation in SciFest supports not only the objectives of the current Junior Cert science syllabus but also the development of the key skills identified as central to learning in the new Junior Cycle curriculum.

“The opportunity to participate in SciFest@Intel is recognition of the hard work and dedication that these students put into their projects. For Simon the journey is only just beginning as he will have the honour of representing Ireland at next year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the US and I wish him the best of luck for that event! “

At last year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2011 SciFest winners, Ruairi O’Neill and Eoghan Flynn came second in the Environmental Management category.

The two students took home a prize of $1,500 in recognition of their efforts for their project which looked at turning plastic into a usable fuel source to be used by businesses developing and creating new technologies, medicines and products.

Dr. Graham Love, Director of Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) and Policy and Communications at Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) said: “We are seeing a steady rise in the numbers of students selecting science and related courses at third level and this is also reflected in the increased participation in SciFest, year-on-year.

“Encouragingly, 2012 saw close to 4,300 students exhibit almost 1,900 projects at regional level in ITs and schools around the country, and the 15 projects exhibited here today are of a very high standard.

“All students should be extremely proud of themselves for reaching this stage of SciFest. Simon’s project was exceptional and it shows how good students are at thinking outside the box and most importantly that science can be exciting!

“I congratulate him on his success today and I am confident that he will do Ireland proud at the International Science and Engineering Fair. DSE promotes inquiry based teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and maths, and events like SciFest help to promote these practices and encourage practical and hands-on learning for students.”

Dr Padraig Ó’Murchú, Education and Research Manager, Intel Ireland said: “Through participation at SciFest events students develop skills-sets that are required to address future global concerns of food, water and energy security, create wealth to sustain growth and provide better health services and better infrastructure.

“This year saw Intel introduce the inaugural Global Citizenship and Sustainability Award. This award was set up to provide opportunities for Irish students to work cooperatively with students in Africa on global issues relating to sustainability.”

Rubberbandits and Aoife McLysaght from Molecular Evolution Lab, Smurfit School of Gentics TCD

Sean Sherlock, T.D., the Minister for Research and Innovation today launched Science Week 2012 and announced that it will be celebrating ‘Everyday Experimenting!’  This year’s theme aims to demonstrate that science plays a key role in our everyday lives and that we are all constantly experimenting.  From tying our shoe laces to attempting a new level on a game, or trialing a new recipe and even embarking on a first date—these are all everyday experiments.

Science Week 2012 runs from 11th – 18th November 2012 and is a collaboration of events run by colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout Ireland. With over 500 events registered on www.scienceweek.ie (and more to come) “Science Week 2012: Everyday Experimenting” is calling on the nation to join in the fun of everyday experimenting and participate in an event near you!

Minister Sherlock said: “The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs stresses the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in providing the skills necessary to create high quality jobs for this economy. “Science Week” is Ireland’s national initiative appealing to everybody to embrace science. Studies consistently show that the good jobs of the future will demand students with high-level science and maths skills. “Science Week” encourages an interest in science from an early stage so that we can develop these core skills to prepare students well for a wide range of quality employment options.”

Minister Sherlock added “Now administered through Science Foundation Ireland, the Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) programme promotes STEM subjects throughout its various supported actions. “Science Week” opens the eyes of the Irish public and show cases achievements through all facets of science, technology, engineering and maths and I strongly encourage people right across the country to participate in “Science Week” in any way they can.”

Speaking at the launch, Dr Graham Love, Director of Policy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) with responsibility for Discover Science and Engineering said; “Science Week 2012 is the only annual event that promotes and gives access to the exciting opportunities that surround science throughout the country. With so many events being held in every county everyone is invited to marvel and enjoy everything that science has to offer. “

Dr. Love added “We have seen an increase in CAO level applications into Third level science this year which is extremely positive, but we must not stop in our efforts to promote STEM subjects. Science Week is a fun and interactive way to give students and the public a taster of what science is about. Discover Science & Engineering is proud to be the force driving this initiative and promoting science.”

Some highlights of Science Week 2012 include The Rubberbandits “Do Science” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBWIIUUFeL0 ; European Space Agency Astronaut Paolo Nespoli visits Ireland; the amazing London Science Museum comes to Lismore, Co Waterford; Microsoft “inspiring careers” talks; Zombie 1Z…and much much more.

Science Week 2012 events will take place nationwide for the duration of November 11th to 18th. Everybody is welcome to come along and take part. For information on ‘Everyday Experimenting’ competitions, activities and events taking place visit www.scienceweek.ie.

26 September 2012

Primary schools across Ireland are taking part in Discover Science & Engineering’s (DSE) Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme, which encourages primary school children and teachers to approach science and maths in a fun and interactive way. Last year, more than 6,000 teachers were registered with the programme with 420 primary schools receiving Awards of Science and Maths Excellence.

To qualify for an Award of Science and Maths Excellence, schools must keep a log of certain science and maths related activities that they undertake throughout the year. Schools get credit for visiting Discover Science Centres, inviting speakers to the school to talk about science and maths and displaying their work and other explorative activities. Credits are also awarded for taking part in a number of other DSE programmes including the Greenwave project (www.greenwave.ie), a mass science project tracking the arrival of spring across Ireland, as well as completing activities related to the Engineers’ Week 2013 theme ‘Engineers, bringing dreams to life through curiosity and invention.’

Schools are urged to start working on their science and maths related activities straight away and can register for the Award of Science and Maths Excellence in January 2013 at www.primaryscience.ie.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Minister Sean Sherlock, T.D., the Minister for Research and Innovation at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation and at the Department of Education & Skills said “Discover Primary Science and Maths is an innovative programme that offers our children an engaging platform to kick-start growth and interest in science and maths.”

Minister Sherlock added “The growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects is extremely important for the recovery and further development of our economy. It is imperative that STEM subjects are promoted at a young age to recruit and encourage the youth of Ireland to progress their skills in these areas. I would strongly encourage as many schools as possible to get involved with this fun and exciting project.”

Commenting on the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence, Dr. Graham Love, Director of DSE and Director of Policy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) said: “Since we started the Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme in 2003, the project has gone from strength to strength, with more than 6,000 teachers registered last year.

“This year, the Discover Primary Science and Maths programme will continue to encourage an appreciation of science and maths in students from an early age that will stay with them throughout their education. Students of today are tomorrow’s leaders and we look forward to Irish students leading the field of maths and science in the future.”

Full information on the Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme and the Awards of Science and Maths Excellence are available on the www.primaryscience.ie website. The project also caters for Gaelscoileanna, with materials available in Irish on the website.

• Sherlock praises Online Careers Week as ‘a window on opportunity’ and welcomes additional industry involvement in Smart Futures campaign
• Industry employers champion value of STEM subjects
• Medical Devices identified as a key sector of opportunity with over 200 companies employing 25,000 in Ireland; exports of €7.2 billion per annum.
• Web and mobile content gives 24/7 access to STEM careers advice and guidance

As secondary students settle back to the school routine, Mr Sean Sherlock TD, Minister for Research and Innovation, this week launched a STEM Careers Week and school competition to promote careers in the science, technology, engineering and related sectors.

The initiative is a new phase of the Smart Futures programme run by Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) through Science Foundation Ireland. DSE is charged with responsibility for promoting the uptake of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as subject choices.

The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week initiative is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs which is committed, through DSE, to “encourage the take-up of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and communicate the variety of career opportunities to older second level students, teachers and parents”.

Career opportunities

Launching the Smart Futures STEM Careers Week, Minister Sean Sherlock TD said: “Most of our children’s career opportunities will be built around harnessing new and evolving technologies that are only now establishing themselves. It is critically important that we give students a window into those industries and the experiences of people working in them.”

Minister Sherlock added: “The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week does just that; using new media technologies that are second nature to teenagers and explaining how many people in Ireland are now doing some very exciting work that is having an impact on lives all over the world.”

Concluding, Minister Sherlock said: “I would like to compliment the Irish Medical Devices Association and all of the other industry partners for adding their support to this campaign. I am confident that in the years ahead we can collectively grow the STEM agenda further. This will ensure a steady throughput of suitably qualified scientific people that are able to take up high-quality jobs on offer across Irish enterprise.”

Medical devices sector

This new campaign will highlight medical devices in particular as a thriving sector, with support from the Irish Medical Devices Association (IMDA), as well as existing partners like ICT Ireland and Engineers Ireland.

The campaign seeks to highlight the range of different career types available, the skillsets they require and the focus on medical devices in particular will further increase the breadth and richness of the Smart Futures website’s content and reinforce the success story across these STEM sectors in Ireland.

Commenting on its decision to join the Smart Futures partnership, Sharon Higgins, Director, IMDA, said: “The medical technology sector in Ireland employs 25,000 in over 200 plus companies, exports €7.2 billion per annum and continues to grow. A skilled and adaptable workforce is central to the sector’s future success, with 60% of companies indicating they will recruit this year.

“The current skills shortage in the industry has produced a need for graduates with science, technology, engineering and maths qualifications. With this in mind the IMDA is working hard to promote the Smart Futures campaign and secure the future growth of the med tech sector in Ireland through its skilled graduates.”

Job opportunities in STEM

Dr Graham Love, Director of Policy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and with overall responsibility for DSE, said: “The recent CAO figures show students are increasingly selecting science and related courses at third level as they see these are the areas where job opportunities rest.

“Smart Futures will continue to develop as a resource to assist students, parents and teachers make informed decisions that suit their needs. We are pleased to do so in conjunction with partners like the IMDA who can help us demonstrate the possibilities available to students.”

STEM Careers Week

The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week will run on the website www.SmartFutures.ie from 22 to 26 October 2012. During that week a panel of professionals working in areas such as gaming, mobile app development, cybersecurity, computer forensics, medical devices and energy will engage with the public to explain the work they do and what is required to get those jobs.

Students and guidance counsellors are invited to submit questions in advance. The deadline for questions is 28 September. Answers will be published online during the STEM Careers Week.

Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) today congratulated the high number of students that have been offered a place in science courses, including computer science, agriculture and food science, biomedical science, chemical and pharmaceutical science, medicinal chemistry and omnibus engineering, at third level.

Companies requiring science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) graduates are the fastest growing sectors of the economy. The increased uptake of these subjects is very positive as there is a great demand for young technology, science and engineering graduates due to both multinational and indigenous investment from social media, ICT, games development, green tech and medical engineering companies.

Dr. Graham Love, Director of DSE and Director of Policy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) said: “Today’s students are very savvy and are taking into consideration the areas where the best career opportunities lie. It is encouraging to see the higher uptake of students who have been offered and will undertake technology and science courses this year. There is a growing demand for graduates in these areas as they continue to thrive in Ireland and working in these industries offers graduates vast and exciting opportunities. I congratulate the parents and careers guidance counselors who have helped guide students to undertake these subjects.”

“For students who will be sitting their leaving certificate next June, I would encourage them to follow in the footsteps of this year’s students and consider STEM courses. The technology and engineering sectors in particular offer some of the highest paid graduate jobs and these are areas that are on the look out for bright young graduates.”

“If you are considering STEM subjects, I would encourage you to take every opportunity to talk to people who are either working in these industries or undertaking third level science, technology or engineering courses. Events such as the Smart Futures STEM Careers Week, which will take place online in October, offers second level students the opportunity to get advice and tips directly from those working in industry in Ireland.”

Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) today welcomed the 35% rise in students that took the higher level maths course in the Leaving Cert this year. This will put students in a strong position to study science and technology courses at third level.

Companies requiring science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) graduates are the fastest growing sectors of the economy.

The increased uptake of these subjects at third level is required as there is a great demand for young technology, science and engineering graduates due to both multinational and indigenous investment from social media, ICT, games development, green tech and medical engineering companies.

Dr. Graham Love, Director of DSE and Director of Policy and Communications for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) said: “It is encouraging to see the increased uptake of students taking higher level maths at Leaving Cert and the excellent results that have been achieved. I congratulate the parents, teachers and careers guidance counselors who have helped guide students to undertake these subjects. There is a growing demand for STEM graduates and these students are one step closer to the vast and exciting opportunities that these industries offer.”