The inaugural Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase, which saw over 300 primary school children from 11 schools exhibit over 70 projects in St Mary’s Community Sports Hub, Edgeworthstown last Friday has been hailed a huge success. Speaking after her school won the inaugural Longford Tech All Star Perpetual Award Cup, teacher at St Joseph’s National School Beatrice Shanley said, “We are just blown away by this whole process. This was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced as a teacher within County Longford." READ MORE BELOW PHOTO Caption: The view from the balcony area of the main exhibition hall Picture: Shelley Corcoran Ms Shanley continued, "The whole process from the very beginning, week by week, generated so much creativity, inclusivity, and interest among the children. I’ve never seen a project quite like it. It was wonderful for us as teachers, to be learning alongside the children as we all worked through the programme together, with great support from Microsoft Ireland and Longford County Council throughout." She concluded, "I honestly couldn’t speak highly enough of the project, and I know that the younger classes are already talking about next year’s event. It’s really giving Longford primary schools a running start at the new curriculum subject areas of mathematics, science and technology.” The Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase involved the showcasing of projects by over 300 primary school children from 11 schools across county Longford, following their participation in the Microsoft Dream Space Academy education programme which introduces STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) at primary level in a creative, fun and collaborative way. The schools programme in Longford started as a national pilot in January, when Longford County Council IT Department and Longford County Library Services teamed up with Microsoft. Over a 10-week period, Microsoft issued an email to participating schools providing online
PICTURES | Living the dream: 300 primary school children participate in Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase
Caption: Cllrs Gerry Warnock and John Browne admiring the project put together by pupils from Melview National School for the inaugural Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase which took place in Edgeworthstown last Friday Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Granard Municipal District Cathaoirleach Colin Dalton with pupils from St Bernard's NS, Abbeylara in St Mary’s Community Sports Hub, Edgeworthstown last Friday for the first Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase. Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Longford County Council hosted the first Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase on Friday in St Mary’s Community Sports Hub, Edgeworthstown and pictured are pupils from Aughnagarron National School Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Senator Micheál Carrigy is shown a project by Colehill pupils that encourages computational thinking and problem solving skills Picture: Shelley Corcoran
