Kildare students take part in STEM and AI projects
Pictured is Lavinia Morris, General Manager, EMEA Data Centre Operations, Microsoft, with students from Scoil Bhride in Naas, County Kildare
STUDENTS from Kildare joined others from West Dublin and Fingal to show how STEM and coding can solve real-world challenges present in their communities.
More than 500 young people got involved with STEM and AI projects at Microsoft’s headquarters in Dublin, as part of the Dream Space Showcase for data centre communities.
The Dream Space Showcase for Data Centre Communities is a new STEM and AI initiative for students living near Microsoft’s current or proposed data centres in West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare.
Held over two days at One Microsoft Place, the event brought together over 500 students from participating schools in West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare to present projects showing how STEM and coding can solve real-world challenges.
This included strong representation from Kildare, with students from Scoil An Linbh Íosa, Scoil Bhríde, Killashee Multi-Denominational National School and St Corban's NS, showcasing a range of creative and impactful innovations developed using the skills they gained through the programme.
Students presented more than 100 projects tackling sustainability, inclusion, and wellbeing, with ideas ranging from a road safety system for schools, energy-saving devices, and a solution to help conserve local water supplies.
Since its launch in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space has supported primary and post-primary students, as well as their teachers, to develop critical STEM, digital and AI skills. To date, Microsoft has committed more than €12 million to the development, delivery and expansion of the programme, helping to equip Ireland’s future leaders with the skills they need to thrive.
A new initiative for the 2025/26 academic year, the Dream Space programme for data centre communities provided each of the participating schools with more than €5,000 worth of hardware and project funding, including micro:bits, circuitry kits, laptops, as well as ongoing support and visits by a dedicated Dream Space teacher.
The programme brings students on a structured learning journey combining classroom activities, digital learning through Dream Space TV, and in-person engagement, culminating in the opportunity to present their solutions, which are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, at the Dream Space Showcase final.
Lavinia Morris, General Manager, EMEA Data Centre Operations, Microsoft, said:
“Over the past year, more than 500 students from 15 schools across West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare have developed practical STEM, coding, and problem-solving skills through the programme. I was hugely inspired by the ideas and skills that the students showcased by way of their projects, all of which respond to real challenges that the students have identified in their communities.”
