Tomorrow’s innovators showcase their impressive scientific projects at the STEM Showcase in Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland

Students from Presentation Secondary School Castleisland, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál Castleisland, Scoil Íde, Curranes, and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Tralee took part in a STEM Showcase on the 5th of March, in Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland. One hundred and forty-five students exhibited innovative STEM projects on a wide variety of topics.

This event is part of a much extended and elaborate programme titled the ‘Digital School Excellence Fund’ which aims to develop a more positive attitude to STEM subjects amongst females within the cluster at primary and secondary level; to enhance students’ digital literacy skills, particularly in the area of Maths and Science; to increase the uptake of Chemistry and Physics at senior level; to increase the number of female entrants into STEM courses at third level.

During the event, Presentation Castleisland’s 1st year STEM role models presented projects as well as acted as judges for the primary school projects. Primary school students who attended the event as visitors were entertained by the wide variety of scientific projects and also by Linda from DigiWiz who held different workshops using 3D pens, VR systems, and robotics.

On the day, we had appearances from many special guests who shared their experiences in STEM. Aoife O’Brien from Kerry SciTech, Emily Brick from Athena Analytics, Claire O Riordan from the PDST and Susan Enright, a Lecturer in IT Tralee. These strong, independent women are such an inspiration to the younger generation as they are leading the way in STEM.

On closing the event, an award ceremony was held where each student received a certificate of achievement and each participating school was awarded with a very impressive STEM kit, which contained important and useful equipment such as beakers, graduated cylinders, magnets and electricity kits, all which can be used in everyday lessons. The kit also included an iPad for documenting projects as well as for scientific research.

As Mae C. Jemison an American engineer, physicist, and astronaut said “We look at science as something very elite, which only a few people can learn. That’s just not true. You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live to, or down, to expectations” And that’s just what we are trying to achieve here at Presentation Castleisland, we are continually enhancing the scientific knowledge of primary and secondary school students which is hopefully paving a pathway for our future scientists.