During 2014 Cambus Medical volunteers helped 150 students in Galway schools to gain science, enterprise and life skills, by bringing innovative and interactive learning opportunities into local schools, through its partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland.
Six Cambus Medical business volunteers taught programmes in schools in Spiddal, Furbo and Barna, and by doing so, showed students the link between education and the workplace. Many of the volunteers opted for the JA science-based programmes, which are designed to encourage an interest in science at school and to help students make connections between their studies and post-school careers in STEM-related industries. Working directly with the Cambus volunteers the students have seen how studying science can lead to a wide variety of interesting careers.
Cambus Medical enjoys partnering with Junior Achievement Ireland in delivering programmes to local primary and second level schools. According to Caitríona Clancy, HR Manager at Cambus Medical: “We feel that it is important to encourage the students to continue their education and to give them an insight into what Cambus does and the opportunities that are available to them in the future. By encouraging the students to remain in education we are strengthening the local talent pool for the future. Some of these students may be our future key employees”.
According to Ray Fogarty of Junior Achievement Ireland: “Cambus volunteers bring their enthusiasm for the sciences and their work experience to the programme and share this with the students. In the course of facilitating the programmes, the volunteers offer some insight into careers in science. In general, their enthusiasm and professionalism helps to encourage the students to work hard in school, perhaps to aspire to a career in a STEM-related industry and most importantly, to maxmimise their education.”
Topics covered in the science programmes included forensic science, defence against disease, brain power and lasers and light! The programmes are specially designed to generate an interest in science and technology among participating students and encourage them to consider science, when making their secondary school subject choices.
Cambus Medical, a JA supporting organisation since 2010 has also hosted students on site in Spiddal. The ‘school to work days’ have been a great success, as the students get to see the various roles that people carry out while their curiosity and imaginations are stimulated as evidenced by some of the interesting questions posed during the presentations! The students can see first-hand the opportunities available to them, if they stay on in school and complete their education. For some of them, maybe they will pursue a career in science and who knows maybe one day they will be back in Cambus Medical to inspire the next generation!