Seeing is Believing Tours

As part of our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths)  agenda, we have created a particularly interesting and effective initiative directed at science and technology  teachers. Working with leading local STEM sector companies, it is a one day tour with the following objectives:

• To become more familiar with the type of employees that companies are currently hiring and what will be required of future hires

• To increase the Science teachers’ knowledge of three local companies from different sectors and the job roles within those sectors

• To see first hand how Science skills are being used in a practical setting

• To provide a networking opportunity for establishing contacts in the business world and between teachers

The STEM ‘Seeing is Believing’ tour series began by taking place in Dublin in 2012 and continues annually.  It  was successfully rolled out in Cork and Limerick in 2013 and in Dublin and Donegal so far in 2014 with another tour planned to take place in the midlands before the end of this year.  The feedback from the teachers has always been extremely positive, with teachers saying that they are now better informed about the industries in the locality and that they are more confident now in giving advice to students.  From the latest tour evaluations (Dublin & Donegal 2014), all teachers found the day beneficial, with over 70% finding it very beneficial.  All participants said they would recommend this tour to other science teachers.

00