Longford students STEAMing ahead into the future

The Microsoft Dream Space Showcase was just one leg of a local authority backed project to stimulate interest in science and technology at a young age. The focus is to encourage broader inclusion in STEAM subjects from among primary school-goers.

Dream Space with Microsoft is a new science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) education initiative. Longford and Tipperary are piloting the initiative. A collaboration between Microsoft Ireland’s Dream Space, Our Kids Code, micro:bit foundation, and BCPs, it's supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Cathaoirleach of the Longford County Council, Turlough McGovern said the programme's potential will be significant for the young participants: “It's going to give younger people the opportunity to participate in computer science at an early age, an opportunity not there in previous years. There is such a great atmosphere here this morning, it's unbelievable. I wish them the best of luck going forward.”

That future dividend was also alluded to by Danny Lynch Head of Information Systems with Longford County Council: “We've nine secondary schools in Longford, two of them will have computer science on the Leaving Cert curriculum from next September, Schoil Mhuire in Longford and Ballymahon Vocational School.

“There's kids in 6th class that are going into secondary school where they're going to study computer science. They might go on, they might study computer science in third level. The grounding they get from the projects they have here today will help them in years to come.”
Mr Lynch spoke of the compatibility of the learned expertise: “The skills they've gained today, and from studying computer science, will benefit them no matter what they do, no matter what trade or profession they pick in life.”

The council's Head of Information Systems believes the competition has a future: “This year we've 12 schools. We hope we'll increase that number next year. I'd love to say it'll be 24, but maybe even more. We know the 12 schools are going to come back. We'd love to get a few more. We'd love to get every primary school in the county to take part.”

Longford County Council was awarded funding to progress their ambitious educational plan under the Public Service Innovation Fund 2023, with the aim of starting STEAM subjects in primary school
“This is the main event of the Dream Space project,” Longford County Council CE Paddy Mahon said, “We're delighted we are one of the first counties in the country to team up with Microsoft, team up with Ericsson, and get support from the government through the innovation fund. This is all about creating opportunities for our youth here in the county.”