To mark International Girls in ICT Day, Microsoft is hosting a virtual Dream Space event for primary school students across Ireland to inspire them about the opportunities unlocked through STEM and emerging technologies, such as AI.
The unique event will be streamed live from Microsoft Dream Space and feature learning sessions delivered by two fifth class Dream Space Student Ambassadors from Alexandra College, Dublin to peers across the country. Every primary school across the island of Ireland is invited to join the free event on Thursday 25th April between 10am and 12 noon, with the programme suitable for primary school students from third to sixth class (RoI) or P4 to P7 (NI). Teachers can register at the following link to reserve a place for their class.
The immersive event will provide an engaging discussion on the importance of strong women role models in STEM and include an interactive educational experience for students to enhance their STEM skills.
‘Leadership’ is this year’s Girls in ICT Day theme, which closely aligns with the aims of Microsoft’s Dream Space Ambassador Programme, which is focused on advancing STEM leadership amongst young women. The programme helps students develop leadership and digital skills while promoting STEM education within their schools and communities. More than 1,300 Dream Space Ambassadors have graduated from the programme to date, representing 159 schools across the island of Ireland. Each Ambassador completes a series of virtual training sessions during the academic year as part of the programme, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become STEM leaders in their local community and support, train, and mentor other students and teachers about the benefits of STEM.
The Ambassador programme is one of many that Microsoft Dream Space offers as it strives to provide almost one million students enrolled in primary and secondary schools across the island of Ireland with the opportunities to learn and develop the STEM and AI skills they will need to become the digital leaders of tomorrow.
Since its launch in 2018, over 100,000 girls across Ireland have engaged with Dream Space, helping to encourage more young women to consider a career in STEM.
Dream Space is one of a number of education and skilling programmes that Microsoft is delivering as part of its ambition to ‘Skill Up Ireland’, providing people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds with the opportunity to upskill for an AI enabled future.
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, said: “At Microsoft, we believe it’s crucial that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplaces of tomorrow. With women currently comprising less than a third of the ICT workforce in Ireland, it’s clear that we need to inspire change among the next generation of the workforce and encourage more young women to consider a career in STEM.
“As an industry leader, we believe we have an important role to play in helping to educate young women from a diverse range of backgrounds and communities about the opportunities provided by STEM and provide them with pathways to develop the digital skills to forge a successful career in technology. That’s why we continue to expand and strengthen Microsoft Dream Space, our ambitious programme that is providing every student across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to engage in STEM learning. Since its launch, over 100,000 girls have engaged with the programme, providing an important avenue for more young women to engage with digital technologies and empowering them to consider a career in STEM.
“This week’s live Dream Space event recognises Girls in ICT Day and provides the opportunity for students across the length and breadth of the country to engage in and enjoy a STEM focused lesson and start to develop the skills that will be essential for tomorrow’s leaders. I would encourage every primary school across the country to consider joining the free event this week.”
Speaking ahead of Girls in ICT Day, Isobel Fay, Dream Space Student Ambassador from Our Lady of Mercy Convent School in Booterstown, said, “I’m really excited to take part in the Dream Space Girls in ICT event this week and learn about the importance of technology. Since taking part in the Dream Space Ambassador programme, I’ve learned so much about new technologies like AI and how they can be used to solve different problems in society. All the training has been really helpful in boosting my confidence to speak to students and teachers at my school in Booterstown about all the interesting possibilities that we can use technology for. I’m looking forward to more Dream Space sessions over the coming months and continuing to learn about the latest developments in technology.”
For more information and to register for the Microsoft Dream Space Girls in ICT Day event on Thursday 25th April from 10am – 12pm, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/dreamspace/ireland/upcoming-events/.
