The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., today launched the Atlantic Corridor Conference on STEM Education, in Tullamore.
The Atlantic Conference, which has been running since 2008, has established itself as a key event for all those interested in science and technology issues in Ireland both from an education and enterprise perspective.
Launching the conference, Minister Sherlock noted that "the latest CAO figures show in the last 5 years, applications to Science and Applied Science courses (which includes technology courses) have increased by 63.5%, with a jump of almost 20% in the last year alone.
Events such as today’s conference, and Government initiatives including the Discover Science and Engineering Programme and the ICT Action Plan launched in January, are vital to the promotion of STEM subjects across the entire education system.
The Research Prioritisation exercise which is ongoing, with the first meeting of the Action Group held just this week. will also ensure that we promote and drive research in these areas in order to gain crucial economic output. "
Today, Atlantic Corridor brought together an eclectic group of speakers from across all industries including Leena Gade, Chief Racing & Test Engineer with Audi Sports, Ward Van Duffel, Managing Director of LEGO® Education Europe Ltd, John Hennessy, Chairperson of the HEA, Tony Hill, Director of the Manchester Museum of Industry & Science and Carol Lynn Parente, Producer of Sesame Street.
ENDS
Note for Editors:
Atlantic Corridor works to develop cross-border and international links for a variety of business, education and development projects, between Ireland, Northern Ireland and partner regions in the USA and Canada. It is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and focussed particularly on the development of mechanisms to share best practice from these partner regions.
The conference was developed by a steering committee whose members include representatives from Ericsson, Discover Science & Engineering, representatives of primary and secondary education, Georgia Tech Ireland and Atlantic Corridor.
The conference will also include a workshop for 120 second level students on their attitudes to science and technology and the winners of a nation-wide Primary Science Competition sponsored by Ericsson will be announced.