STEM Skills, College Options & Careers Investigated
Students, teachers and volunteers celebrate after the STEM Zoo
Sanofi have sponsored a unique secondary school project called ‘STEM Zoo’ which was hosted by the Waterford Institute of Technology and involved all 10 local Secondary schools in Waterford. Over the course of 2 days, 200 5th year students participated in Science-Technology-Engineering-Maths (STEM) activities which encouraged the students to progress to a 3rd level course in that area and enjoy a great career locally, including the possibility of a career in Sanofi.
A STEM Zoo student designs an App‘Sanofi STEM Zoo’ was designed to complement the school curriculum and consisted of four modules covering each of the STEM subject areas. Each module was led by business volunteers from Sanofi who introduced themselves, their position in Sanofi, their career and education path to date as well as the importance of their chosen STEM discipline in a company such as Sanofi.
The students participated in interactive activities which practised and developed their STEM skills before being joined by WIT staff who offered advice on courses to consider when applying for a 3rd level qualification. As the event is staged in WIT, the students have the opportunity to see first-hand the facilities on offer should they choose to study a STEM programme in the college.
Denise Power, Area Manager – South East, Junior Achievement Ireland, commented: “We are all aware of the benefits for students, especially those who struggle to maximise their potential, when they can make connections between their in-school work and what they see as the ‘real world’. Working with Sanofi and other industry partners helps to make the learning very real for these young people and they are inspired by the stories they hear from professionals who are building exciting careers in the STEM area – people relate to people and that’s the power we’re able to tap into with programmes like Sanofi STEM Zoo.”
Helen Raftery, JAI; Lyn Dowling, Sanofi; Adam Wyse, Mayor of Waterford; Emma Walsh, Sanofi; Orla O’Donovan, WIT with students from Abbey Community College