Aisling O’Halloran
Acting STEPS Team Lead, Engineers Ireland
To support the capacity of our future engineers to solve the greatest global challenges of their time, we need to inspire and empower young people to become the engineering leaders of the future.
Our future engineering graduates will be central to the successful delivery of ambitious infrastructural and technological initiatives and will be uniquely placed to support our climate goals and ambitions — and our continued transition to a low-carbon and resilient society. At Engineers Ireland, we believe that Ireland’s youth will play a key role in pushing the boundaries of innovation to protect and enhance our environment and society.
To deliver a sustainable, green and digital future across all aspects of our society — educators, engineering organisations and third-level institutions must work together to inspire and empower this next generation of innovators to pursue a career in engineering.
Inspiring future engineering talent
Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme, which is the only national full-time STEM outreach programme with a focus on engineering, plays a key role in inspiring future generations of engineers by supporting teachers, industry and community leaders to engage with primary and secondary school pupils through a portfolio of projects.
In 2022, over 170,000 children directly interacted with the programme — an achievement made possible because of the dedication and commitment of teachers and volunteers from industry, academia and the wider engineering community nationwide.
Our goal is to ensure all children across Ireland are given the opportunity to experience the creative and dynamic world of engineering.
Providing opportunities
STEPS Engineers Week provides children with the opportunity to discover engineering, facilitated by their teachers, parents and the local community. This is a key initiative of the programme and enables students to explore the limitless opportunities a career in the engineering sector can offer by engaging in fun activities, online events and much more.
Engagement with engineering professionals is an essential component of the week-long campaign, and with STEPS Engineers Week 2023 now on the horizon and taking place from 4th–10th March 2023, engineering professionals are encouraged to engage with their communities by hosting classroom visits or workshops. By engaging with students in their local community, the wider engineering community can play an active role in highlighting the limitless ways engineers in Ireland are pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Inspire, empower and engage
With the support of engineering professionals and students as well as engineering employers across Ireland, teachers and community leaders, our goal is to ensure all children are given the opportunity to experience the creative and dynamic world of engineering.
For more information and to get involved, visit: www.engineersireland.ie/schools
