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Inspiring Future Scientists: Smart Futures Initiative Overview

Discover how the Smart Futures initiative promotes STEM careers among post-primary students in Ireland. This government-backed program collaborates with industry partners to raise awareness about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through engaging presentations, volunteers share their experiences as scientists, aiming to inspire students to consider STEM subjects and careers. Learn about the potential benefits of volunteering in educational contexts and how we can make science accessible and exciting for young minds.

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Inspiring Future Scientists: Smart Futures Initiative Overview

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  1. Introductions • Your turn • Please introduce your neighbour • Let us know: • Do they have previous experience of visiting a school/volunteering? • What do they hope to get from this session today? • Why did they choose science as a career? What is the best thing about their job as a scientist?

  2. Smart Futures • Smart Futures is a Government-backed initiative working with industry and education partners to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers to post-primary students in Ireland. • Aim is to improve the coordination of industry outreach resources and encourage students to consider STEM subjects at post-primary and third level.

  3. Smart Futures • Co-ordinated by the SFI Discover Programme partnering with the Engineer’s Ireland STEPS programme as well as PharmaChem Ireland, Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics.

  4. Smart Futures School Visits • Objective • To grow awareness of what scientists do and what skills they use/require and by doing so – • Positively impact on those choosing • STEM subjects • Science as a career

  5. What do we know? • 9 of the top 10 global pharma-chemical companies are located in Ireland • Ireland is the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the world • 7 of the top 10 selling medicines are produced here • 52k+ people employed in Irish and multinational Life Sciences companies (in areas like Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, BioPharma, Food)

  6. What do we know? • Chemical sector accounted for over 58% of Irish exports in 2010 (worth €50.8bn) • Industry – like Allergan, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Merck, Elan have all recently invested in Ireland • 86k people employed in physics-based jobs and 80 jobs per week announced in ICT • Starting salaries for science, tech and engineering graduates are between €24k- €31k

  7. Why now?

  8. Challenges

  9. Benefits of Volunteering?

  10. Group Work • How would you present to a group? • How to present to/engage a primary school audience? • How to present to/engage a post-primary school audience? • How is science or technology relevant to the group in question? • What questions would you expect from the group?

  11. Volunteer Tips for Success Reflect Buddy up Be yourself Avoid jargon Bring/Use Props Praise, praise, praise Every idea is a good idea! The less formal the presentation is the better it works at Primary Level Dress casual Enjoy!

  12. And now for your actual presentation…!

  13. Your name here • Type of Scientist • Company

  14. Your Name Here • Type of scientist • Studied science at • Science subjects

  15. My typical working day…

  16. End of your presentation

  17. Dos and Don’ts • Information on Child protection and other issues • Read and sign Smart Futures Child Protection Statement • Teacher must stay in the room

  18. What’s next? • Smart Futures takes requests for visits from schools • Indicate your availability and where you can travel to on sign up form • Smart Futures contacts you to arrange visits at a time that suits • Visit: www.youTube.com/DSEvideo to hear volunteers talking about their careers

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