STEM Passport for Inclusion
This programme is a joint initiative by Maynooth University, Microsoft Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education. The STEM Passport for Inclusion offers secondary schools access to a newly developed university accredited module entitled “Introduction to 21st century STEM skills”.
On the module students learn to code, collaborate and create, providing students with a pathway to college courses and careers in STEM. They are introduced to design thinking, computational thinking and Python.
Upon completion of the module, the students can avail for the DEIS STEM Pathway at Maynooth University and Munster Technological University. This scheme awards an additional 50 leaving certificate points to gain entry to STEM courses at both universities.
A few aspects of the programme:
- Addresses inequalities with access to STEM careers among secondary school students in socially disadvantaged communities.
- 3 STEM days, building up to an educational qualification (Level 6 NFQ), education supports, and mentoring from industry role models, provides a DEIS STEM pathway (50/60 leaving cert points) for students to progress to 3rd level education and achieve a STEM qualification.
In the academic year 2023/2024, Longford County Council piloted this program in four post primary schools in Co. Longford where over 70 students participated.
- Moyne Community School
- Lanesborough Community College
- St. Mels
- Ardscoil Phádraig
This programme is delivered in Longford through our HUB/Broadband Connection Point BCP’s which reduced transportations costs for all and promoted sustainability by minimising environmental impact, improving accessibility and enhancing education outcomes in our rural communities.
Following on from the success of our project we presented this initiative to our Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) colleagues in the Midlands ICT Cluster to see how we could extend this programme to all counties in the midlands and to see if TUS would be able to offer the programme and associated points.
TUS lecturers shadowed the Maynooth lecturers while they delivered the programme in Longford and agreed to take on the delivery of the programme. The pilot school is Meán Scoil Mhuire, Longford. This pilot has commenced and is due to complete in February 2025.
In the 2024/2025 academic year, five post-primary schools are now participating in the program, involving over 125 students.
The STEM Passport for Inclusion Impact Report 2021-2024 highlights Longford County Council as a case study, and demonstrates the importance of providing STEM opportunities for our students in the county's transition to a low-carbon future.
Lanesboro Community College students enjoying their STEM Passport for Inclusion class, delivered by Maynooth University lecturer Stephen Gillic.
Students and teachers from Lanesboro Community College celebrating their STEM Passport for Inclusion graduation day in Microsoft Ireland headquarters in Dublin, 31 January 2025.
Amanda Joliffe (Microsoft Ireland), Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, Lanesboro Community College students, Dr Gemma Irvine (Maynooth University) and Lanesboro CC teacher Chloe Finnerty celebrating the STEM Passport for Inclusion graduation day in Microsoft Ireland headquarters in Dublin, 31 January 2025.
Students from Lanesboro Community College enjoying their STEM Passport for Inclusion graduation day in Microsoft Ireland headquarters in Dublin, 31 January 2025.
