Kildare teens celebrate STEM qualification at Maynooth
Pictured together are Amanda Jolliffe, Microsoft Ireland Dream Space Lead, and Professor Katriona OSullivan from Maynooth University, alongside students and their teacher from Ardscoil Rath Iomghain school, who celebrated their graduation alongside over 1,100 other students from around the country who graduated from the STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme
Over100 female students from six Kildare post-primary schools have celebrated their graduation from the STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme where they joined over 1,100 students from around the country who graduated from the programme at a series of ceremonies held at both Maynooth University and Microsoft Dream Space in recent weeks.
The six schools are Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin, Curragh Post-Primary School, Pipers Hill in Naas, St Farnan's, Prosperous, St Paul's in Monasterevin and St. Conleth's Community College, Newbridge.
The All-Ireland STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme is a joint initiative by Maynooth University, Microsoft Ireland, Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland and the Department of Education.
The STEM Passport for Inclusion is a national initiative which provides girls who are in Transition Year with the opportunity to participate in a University-accredited qualification in STEM.
The module carries five credits at Level 6; it provides young women in DEIS schools with access to computer science skills, coding, design thinking and generic STEM skills.
The qualification is currently accredited in three universities – Maynooth University, Munster Technological University and Atlantic Technological University.
The Programme addresses inequalities with access to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers among post-primary school students in socially disadvantaged communities.
Initially developed as a pilot in 2021, the programme was expanded nationwide in December 2023 and today celebrates a new milestone of having engaged over 5,000 female students from DEIS schools in all four provinces.
The programme's innovative approach, which combines a recognised qualification (Level 6 NFQ), education supports, and mentoring from industry role models, provides a unique pathway for female students to progress to third level education and achieve a STEM qualification.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony Professor Katriona O’Sullivan, founder of the programme and Digital Skills Lecturer at Maynooth University, said “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the graduation of these remarkable students. The programme has provided them with a unique opportunity to pursue their passion, breaking down barriers and unlocking their potential in STEM fields. Microsoft is the STEM Passport for Inclusion’s lead industry partner, having contributed €600,000 in match funding to date.
