Mayo Students Among 400 Transition Years honoured at ATU STEM Passport Awards

Over 400 Transition Year students were awarded at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for the completion of the STEM Passport Awards, including students from 4 schools in Mayo.

Among the Schools from Mayo taking part were Davitt College, Scoil Muire Agus Padraig, St Brendan's College and St Patrick's College.

_{Students and staff from Scoil Muire Agus Padraig}

In a celebration of innovation, diversity and achievement, transition year students from Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Roscommon, and Sligo were honoured at the Atlantic Technological University's STEM Passport Awards Ceremony held at ATU’s Sligo campus.

 The students successfully completed the STEM Passport Programme, achieving a Certificate in twenty-first Century STEM Skills.  

The STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme was created by Dr Katriona O’Sullivan of Maynooth University and is supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Microsoft and Optum. ATU is a partner on the programme to provide students with hands-on experience in programming and technology, as well as mentoring on various STEM careers. 

_{Students and staff from St Brendan's College}

In Ireland, according to the Higher Education Outcomes report, only 19.6 percent of ICT graduate degrees are awarded to women. Atlantic Technological University has been working hard across all nine campuses to improve the number of women in their STEM courses.  

Local role models such as Kay McNulty, originally from Donegal and fondly known as the ‘Irish Mother of Programming’ and Mary Carthy, a key figure at the Outbox Incubator, from Sligo, serve as inspirations. 

However, more than just role models are needed, and ATU hopes to provide pathways for students into STEM courses through initiatives such as the STEM Passport Awards.   

_{Students and staff from St Patrick's College}

Speaking at the awards, Prof Jacqueline McCormack, VP for EDI and Online and Flexible Learning at ATU, said:“We have seen students move from lacking confidence to believing in themselves. It takes time and effort to help a student gain that confidence, which is down to the work of the teachers in their schools, parents, and ATU staff across many areas. 

“This year we will provide awards not only to the successful students but to a number of exceptional teachers in our region. On behalf of ATU, I extend my congratulations to the teachers and students on their success,” she concluded.

As ATU’s STEM Passport programme continues to grow, DEIS schools are encouraged to apply for spaces on the programme for the 2024/2025 school year and the 2025/2026 school year. Interested schools can contact each out to the STEM Passport team at stempassport@atu.ie.