DkIT Brings STEM to Life for Secondary Students
23 January 2024Dundalk Institute of Technology recently rolled out its second year of ‘DkIT Loves STEM’ in partnership with iWish, this roadshow facilitated talks to female TY students. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and this roadshow visited schools in the region which included visits to Loreto Balbriggan, St Vincents Dundalk, Breifne College Cavan, Scoil Uí Mhuirí Dunleer and Our Lady's College, Greenhills Drogheda.
Leading female academics from the Institute who specialise in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths were delighted to meet with female students and share their own experience and career journeys within the STEM industry. STEM is the fastest growing and most in demand sector in Ireland but recent research undertaken by iWish reported that 57% of girls lack confidence in their ability to pursue a STEM career, 66% of girls see lack of information about STEM careers as a barrier to pursuing a career in STEM, with 84% of girls wanting to know more about STEM but on a positive note 93% reject the stereotype that STEM careers are more suited to boys than girls. The aim of these talks facilitated by DkIT was to address the current barriers to STEM for females by hosting talks sharing expert females experience of STEM industries.
This DkIT roadshow run in conjunction with iWish who the Institute have been proudly partnering with since 2023. iWish is a national community committed to showcasing the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths to teenage girls. This community run outreach activities, mentorship programmes, TechForGood laptop donations, further education programmes and showcase events reaching a global audience. Other participating Universities of iWish include Munster Technological University, University College Dublin, University College Cork, Trinity and Limerick University.
Donna O’Connor, Equality & Diversity Officer (Athena SWAN Coordinator) at DkIT said
‘We were absolutely delighted to roll out our DkIT Loves STEM roadshow for a second year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to visit our surrounding secondary schools and to meet the up-and-coming STEM stars of the future. DkIT passionately believe in bringing equality to all subjects, particularly STEM as its currently underrepresented by female students. I’d like to thank all the schools that were involved and our fabulous STEM role models who loved sharing their STEM stories and career paths with the students. Dr Orla Sherlock spoke on behalf of the Sciences, Fiona Lawless introduced Technology and Maths, and MaryEllen Kelledy brought Engineering to life for the TY students”.
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