Yesterday, our Transition Year students had the exciting opportunity to visit Astellas in Killorglin as part of International Women’s Day. The trip gave students a fascinating insight into the world of science, medicine, and careers in STEM.
The visit began with a tour of the microbiology laboratory, where students learned about the vital role microbiologists play in ensuring medicines are safe for patients. They discovered the importance of sterility in the lab and saw how scientists carefully test the drugs produced in the plant to ensure they are free from contamination before being sent to patients around the world.
Students then moved on to the chemistry laboratory, where they explored the work carried out by chemists at the facility. Here, they learned how drugs are tested to understand how they would behave and absorb in the bloodstream, highlighting another important step in the development of safe and effective medicines.
The tour also included a visit to the wastewater treatment plant and the site’s windmill. This part of the visit showed how Astellas works to operate sustainably, producing energy and treating waste in environmentally responsible ways.
To finish the day, students attended a talk and panel discussion with several young female staff members from different departments within the plant. The speakers shared their experiences working in STEM and spoke about the graduate programmes available to young graduates. Students also took part in a question-and-answer session with women working in areas such as microbiology, marketing, and international drug distribution.
Overall, the visit was an inspiring and educational experience, giving TY students a valuable insight into the wide range of careers available in science and industry, while celebrating the achievements of women working in STEM.
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