With additional reporting by Kathryn McKenna
ESB Science Blast, the RDS-led initiative fostering young scientific minds, designed to ignite curiosity and celebrate STEM learning, took place in the ICC Belfast earlier this week.
Following a highly successful series of events earlier this year, now in its sixth year, ESB Science Blast has engaged more than 82,000 students across Ireland reflecting the growing enthusiasm for STEM education nationwide.
This year’s Belfast event featured delighted primary school pupils from counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone and showcased 30 STEM-related projects, each exploring simple, thought-provoking scientific questions investigated by the young pupils.
The event is organised by the RDS (Royal Dublin Society), which has a long-standing commitment to promoting science and education in Ireland.
In addition to the student projects, a range of leading organisations exhibited at the event, offering fun, hands-on STEM experiences and demonstrations. Exhibitors at the Belfast event included W5, Waterways Ireland, the Northern Ireland Fire Service, Ulster Museum, ESB, Marble Arch Caves, Kainos, NI Water, and the Armagh Planetarium. Their involvement will provide students with exciting opportunities to see how science, technology and engineering are applied in the real world.
Speaking to Sync NI at the hugely successful event Niamh De Loughry, RDS Deputy Chief Executive – Foundation, said: “We're able to bring in something that is an opportunity for schools to come and celebrate and participate in performances that are supporting STEM learning but in a fun way.
“Throughout the day we've heard directly from exhibitors who can speak to how, this is a pathway to a future career, and tell us why STEM subjects are important. Bringing those things together, whilst ensuring it is child-centred at its heart, makes it hugely impactful for our young people.”
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Niamh adds: “We are truly humbled by the incredible response from schools. It is inspiring to see the dedication of teachers and the boundless curiosity of pupils as they explore scientific questions in fun, hands-on and imaginative ways.
“ESB Science Blast continues to make STEM accessible and bring it to life for young people from a wide range of communities. We bring students together regardless of where they're from in Ireland, regardless of what type of school they're from, everybody is equal.”
Marguerite Sayers, Deputy Chief Executive of title sponsors of the event ESB, added: “ESB Science Blast has been a transformative experience for thousands of students across Ireland. Supporting this initiative is one of the ways we help nurture a diverse talent pool and encourage children to see the endless possibilities a career in STEM can offer. We are proud to continue our partnership with the RDS and our mission to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.”
The impact of ESB Science Blast extends beyond the showcase events. A recent national survey carried out by ESB and RED C Research highlights strong parental support for STEM education, with 80 per cent of parents of primary school-aged children supporting participation in extracurricular STEM activities, and 54 per cent actively encouraging their children’s interest in STEM subjects.
Not only does it help spark an interest in STEM, the event helps add to young children’s confidence, with 86 per cent of parents also noting enhanced presentation skills and 81 per cent of children also feeling more confident applying STEM to real-life situations.
Overall, the skills they learn help lay the foundations of critical thinking, collaboration and confident communication – all of which are highly valued in today’s workforce.
The event, the result of an ongoing partnership between the RDS and ESB, has already been confirmed for a further three years.
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Niamh explains that whilst most people know the RDS as a venue, it is actually a philanthropic organisation at its heart.
She says: “This means the profits are going back into the foundation, which I oversee. The science programme is a £1.4 million investment programme.
"The RDS covers little under half of that with the rest made up by external funders and sponsors which we are extremely fortunate to have. In that sense, we are committed, certainly for at least another three years for this programme and are delighted to have our title sponsor in ESB.”
The fun-packed, interactive event proved a huge success amongst the pupils in attendance, and is all part of a shared commitment to nurturing a scientifically literate and innovative future generation. The programme also champions inclusivity, with a strong focus on ensuring equal access for all students, including significant participation from DEIS schools and Gaelscoileanna.
For more information, visit www.esbscienceblast.com
