Young Mayo innovators display STEM projects at Foróige/Microsoft showcase

Young innovators from schools and clubs in Mayo and surrounding areas took centre stage in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet on Wednesday, May 28, as they showcased their STEM projects at The Foróige and Microsoft Dream Space Showcase, a celebration of youth creativity, coding and problem-solving.

The event brought together young people aged between 10 and 13 from Foróige services and participating schools, who developed and presented original tech-based projects using micro bits and other Foróige Go tools. These projects were inspired by Microsoft Dream Space TV tutorials and focused on finding innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Foróige Go is a digital youth programme that empowers young people through experiential learning in science, technology, engineering and maths. It is part of Foróige’s broader mission to enable young people to actively participate in their own development and in the development of their community and society. Programmes such as Lego Leagues, micro bit, and other Go resources provide engaging ways for young people to build critical skills in fun and meaningful settings.

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By way of this collaboration with Microsoft, young people were able to participate in hands-on Microsoft Dream Space STEM education sessions that explored coding and digital creativity as part of a 10-week programme. This empowered students to enhance their STEM and AI skills through the development of innovative STEM projects that address sustainability challenges.

Mylo Carey, Belmullet NS with a NAO Robot at the Foróige and Microsoft Dream Space Showcase in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet

The Foróige and Microsoft Dream Space Showcase event in Belmullet was developed to ensure rurally isolated young people could access the same high-quality STEM experiences that are available in larger urban centres. The idea took root following conversations between Foróige and the Microsoft Education team at a Microsoft Dream Space Showcase event in Longford last year. It was championed by Michael Barrett from the Microsoft Dream Space team, who is originally from the Belmullet area. Michael delivered training to Foróige staff in Castlebar at the beginning of the year to kick off the programme and worked closely with local teams, clubs and schools to bring this event to life.

Michael Barrett, Microsoft Dream Space Audience Engagement Manager, said, “At Microsoft, we’re committed to empowering every student on the island of Ireland with the opportunity to enhance their STEM and AI skills through immersive experiences that help unlock their full potential. Microsoft Dream Space is designed to help young people build essential skills in creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking, while also showing them the possibilities of a future career in the STEM sector. 

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“Since the launch of Microsoft Dream Space in 2018, we’ve reached over 360,000 students and events like this Showcase are a testament to our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with youth organisations, local councils, schools, and industry to provide opportunities for students in communities across the country to develop their STEM skills.

 “It has been fantastic to work with Foróige and others in the county on this initiative - there’s a real power in what can be achieved through strong public–private partnership. It was inspiring to see the many innovative projects developed by the students for the Showcase and the continuing impact of events such as this in inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.”

The Foróige Microsoft Dream Space Showcase is an example of what can be achieved through meaningful collaboration between youth organisations and the tech sector and showed the incredible creativity and capability of young people when given the tools and support to lead

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