The creative and dynamic world of engineering is set to come to life in schools and homes across Ireland as STEPS Engineers Week 2022 kicks off this coming Saturday, 5 March.
Running until 11 March and taking place virtually for the first time, Engineers Ireland's largest celebration of the engineering profession aims to encourage young people, their families and teachers to explore the creative world of engineering and the limitless opportunities a career in the sector can offer.
From Donegal to Cork and Dublin to Galway, engineering professionals and third level institutions will engage with their communities through classroom visits and online workshops to showcase their profession to primary and secondary students in their locality, highlighting the amazing ways engineers in Ireland are pushing boundaries of innovation.
Now in its 16th year STEPS Engineers Week is coordinated by Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme - funded by the Department of Education and industry leaders Arup, the EPA ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Highlights of the week-long campaign include:
A series of in-person and online Family Fairs to inspire Ireland’s future engineers through interactive workshops and spectacular shows will take place in Dublin, Munster, Sligo and Galway on Saturday 5 and Sunday, 6 March.
Enter the fantastic new 'Engineer the Game of the Future’ competition which encourages students bring their problem-solving, creative and communication skills to the world of sport and to engineer a futuristic vision of the Gaelic Games.
Download free engineering resources and activities, such as teacher challenge packs for Primary and Post Primary school students, engineering trails and quizzes, which are available in both English and Irish.
Click here for the Primary Resources
And click here for Post Primary Resources
Primary school teacher and blogger, Múinteoir Valerie, has also created a new free resource for children with autism to get involved in the Week and to gain an insight into the world of engineering in a highly visual and accessible way
Sign up for free-to-attend and on-demand virtual engineering shows for primary and secondary students by Explorium, Scientific Sue and other STEM professionals.
Hear from engineers at all stages of their careers and working in a variety of disciplines at our 'Meet the Engineer’ events
Students are invited to join Engineers Ireland’s Cork region and Young Engineers Society on 9 March to hear about the development of Ireland’s largest solar farm.
Guidance Counsellors are also invited to attend a special one-hour Careers in Engineering Event.
This free evening event hosted by Professor Orla Feely, President of Engineers Ireland, will offer Guidance Counsellors and teachers with the opportunity to gain an insight into engineering careers and hear from engineers working in variety of engineering sectors.
Watch free documentaries and video series, such as The Story of Water by Irish Water (press play above) and Engineers Ireland’s Engineering Excellence Digital Series.
Held in association with ESB, this six-part video series showcases Ireland’s talented engineers and some engineering projects completed in 2021. Check out one of the videos below.
Students can also find out more about each engineer featured in the series by accessing the accompanying ‘Meet the Engineer’ summary, which highlights each engineer’s education and career and provides students with some top tips on why they too should consider a career in the profession.
To download free resources, including engineering activities, shows and documentaries, visit:
www.engineersireland.ie/schools/engineers-week
Massive thanks to out friends at Engineers Ireland for sharing all this great content!
A new Behaviour & Attitudes survey showing that 80% of the public see engineering as a rewarding career choice for young people.
Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland commented: "Engineers play a critical role in shaping the world around us and play an important role in addressing some of society's biggest challenges. At Engineers Ireland, we recognise our future engineering innovators, who aspire to solve these global issues and more, may not even be in the engineering field yet. They may be just starting out their education journey in our primary and secondary schools. Through participation in STEPS Engineers Week, students can explore the limitless opportunities a career in the engineering sector can offer by engaging in fun activities, online events and much more. And we encourage all primary and secondary school teachers, parents, guardians and families to get involved," Ms Spillane added.
