STEPS Engineers Week, Ireland's largest celebration of the engineering profession, takes place nationwide from 4-10 March and we want to help you to get involved!
With fantastic, free resources, hands-on activity packs and on-demand shows available to download, Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme is calling on Primary School students and teachers across Ireland to bring the world of engineering to life in their classroom during STEPS Engineers Week.
Explore Engineering - Here are 6 great ways to find out more about some of the fantastic, free resources below.
1. Take the Sustainable Engineering Challenge
Have you heard about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)? These goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. Engineers are key to help achieve many of the UN SDGs. Take the Sustainable Engineering Challenge and find out more about why engineers are vital to achieving these goals.
2. Engineering Through the Ages
Discover the engineering behind some of Ireland's heritage sites! From the Rock of Cashel to Glendalough, the Hill of Tara and more, get creative and re-engineer some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks with arts and crafts.
Download the activity pack here!
3. Create pinwheels and find out more about renewable energy
According to the January Wind Energy Report, wind farms produced 1,479 gigawatt-hours of electricity in January, the equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 320,000 Irish families! Wind turbines help us to rely less on fossil fuels which damage our environment. Engineers have come up with a way to use the energy from the wind to generate electricity that we can carry by cables to our fingertips.
Get the Pinwheel activity pack here!
4. Find out more about engineering from our STEPS Ambassadors
Engineering is everywhere and the diverse hobbies and interests of Engineers Ireland's STEPS Ambassadors are a perfect way to explore how engineering is important in all parts of our lives. From music to space exploration and GAA, find out more about engineering from Colin Keogh, Fionnghuala O’Reilly, Tom Parsons and Orla Hartley.
Why not start with STEPS Ambassador Tom Parsons. As a Chartered Engineer and CEO of the Gaelic Players Association, Tom has said engineering career to date has allowed him to create new experiences, travel, meet different people and deliver work that has made a difference to society.
5. Engineering is for Everyone!
Primary school teacher and blogger, Múinteoir Valerie, has also created a free resource for children with autism to get involved in STEPS Engineers Week and to gain an insight into the world of engineering in a highly visual and accessible way.
The 'Visual Approach to Engineering and Vocabulary Development' resource focuses on repetition of key words associated with engineering, matching games, and activities based on developing vocabulary.
Download the activity sheet here!
6. On-Demand Shows
In addition to resources, teachers can stream on-demand engineering shows created by Ireland's leading STEM performers 'Scientific Sue’ and ‘Mark the Science Guy’. For example, let celebrity scientist Mark the Science Guy will take you on a bridge building adventure at Explorium, investigating the fascinating shapes that engineers use to build amazing structures.
Join in with challenges, tests and activities as Mark and his co-host Ali will push their structures to the limit with some daredevil stunts.
And click here to see all the resources for Primary Schools!
STEPS Engineers Week encourages young people, their teachers, and parents to explore the creative and limitless world of engineering and the diverse opportunities a career in the sector can offer. The week-long celebration of the engineering profession in Ireland, is managed by the Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme and funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and industry leaders Arup, the EPA, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
