Tag: I Wish

Derry & Belfast girls to attend largest-ever STEM Showcase next year and highlight the range of career paths in public transport open to girls.

I Wish, the programme dedicated to driving the power of STEM to teenage girls, has announced the support of Northern Ireland public transport operator, Translink, to enable even more girls to attend its largest-ever STEM Showcase next year and highlight the range of career paths in public transport open to girls.

Taking place on 6 February 2025 at the RDS Dublin, the 11th annual event will welcome 4,000 teenage girls from across the island of Ireland with the opportunity for young students from Northern Ireland travelling with Translink by bus or rail to the event for the first time, ensuring that the 2025 Showcase will truly be an all-Island event.

The NI pilot will now enable girls from every corner of Ireland the opportunity to meet some incredible STEM role models and speak to some of the largest pharmaceutical, engineering and technology companies, where they will be able to learn more about college courses, careers and get support to make a more informed choice about subjects and their future careers.

Commenting on the partnership, Sharon Lombard, Director, I Wish, said: “This partnership with Translink marks a significant milestone for I Wish. While our programme has always welcomed girls from across the whole island of Ireland, this new collaboration enables us to actively facilitate transport for girls from schools in Northern Ireland to our annual showcase. It’s very exciting to be able to give these young girls access to top female STEM role models and showcase the breadth of career possibilities, empowering them to make an informed choice about their futures”.

Jacqui Kennedy, Chief People Officer, Translink, added: “We are proud to partner with I Wish to promote STEM to young girls and highlight the opportunities these subjects offer. At Translink, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with our Women in Translink network focusing on visibility, influence, and peer support. With a growing female workforce across all roles, this partnership is a great opportunity to showcase diverse careers in public transport and inspire the next generation of women in the industry.”

The Minister for Infrastructure, John O’Dowd said: “I welcome this partnership between Translink and I Wish that will enable teenage girls from schools in the north to join the STEM showcase event in Dublin. There are many opportunities and careers available to our young people through science, technology, engineering and mathematics, not least through my own Department.

“The Department for Infrastructure strives to support women to achieve their full potential as engineers and is an active promoter of gender diversity and workplace equality. It also places a strong emphasis on education and training to nurture the up-and-coming engineers of our future.

“I’m delighted to support this pilot programme to offer public transport to facilitate these students as they explore the exciting potential career paths ahead.”

Junior Minister Pam Cameron said: “I want to congratulate I Wish and Translink for their partnership approach in helping to encourage more girls into a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. We want to empower girls in Northern Ireland to pursue careers in STEM and next year’s showcase will provide opportunities for local students to attend and meet positive role models from the world of work and be inspired by the opportunities that exist.”

Junior Minister Aisling Reilly said: “It is important that young people here have the opportunity to take part in next year’s STEM Showcase, and this partnership between I Wish and Translink will enable students from the north to join their peers from across the island at this fantastic event. Encouraging more girls to study STEM subjects and pursue careers in sectors such as science and engineering is vital for the growth of our economy.”

This partnership follows the launch of the I Wish 2024 Survey of Female Students’ Perspectives on STEM in October, which revealed that 60% of Irish teenage girls believe that gender inequality is the biggest barrier preventing them from pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), highlighting an urgent need for more inclusive and supportive environments. While this figure has dropped from 83% in the 2021 annual I Wish Report, it underscores that, despite some progress, systemic change is still required in both society and education to ensure equal opportunities for girls in STEM. Visit www.iwish.ie/surveys/ to read the I Wish 2024 Survey Report in full.

I Wish has had a partnership with Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann since 2023, which provides free bus and rail transport to girls across the Republic of Ireland.

Registration for the 2025 I Wish Showcase is open at iwish.ie/register.

67% of teenage girls lack crucial information about STEM careers, reveals I Wish Report 2023

The I Wish Report 2023, an annual examination of female Transition Year students’ perspectives on STEM careers, has revealed that 67% of teenage girls lack essential information about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Furthermore, 64% of respondents cited their lack of information on STEM college courses as a considerable barrier to pursuing careers in these fields.

I Wish, the organisation inspiring teenage girls globally towards STEM, asked 2,335 teenage girls about perceived barriers to a career in STEM. The results highlight the power of knowledge, with 41% of students emphasising the need for more career guidance and work-related activities during their school years. Surprisingly, 21% of girls reported never having a career guidance class, despite 97% having access to a guidance counsellor. These findings result in a failure to bring STEM to life for girls and the opportunities to design a better and more inclusive future through STEM.

The ground-breaking research comes as I Wish gears up for its 10th annual STEM Showcase event, taking place on 8 February 2024 at the RDS Dublin. Registration is open at iwish.ie/register, with an estimated 3,000 female students expected to attend. Over 2,000 will receive free rail transport from across the country as part of a national partnership with Iarnród Éireann. Bus Éireann will also be providing free return busses between Heuston Station and the RDS. There will be I Wish watch parties for an international audience post-event.

Gillian Keating, co-founder of I Wish, said on the findings: “These statistics raise questions about the guidance counselling provided in some schools. It’s deeply concerning that 64% of girls lack information about STEM college careers and job opportunities. We must diversify how we present STEM careers and pathways, equipping young women with the knowledge they need.”

In a STEM landscape where only one in four professionals is a woman, the survey respondents revealed well-paid work, the chance to make a meaningful impact, and making discoveries as key values in STEM-related careers. In contrast, their own work-related values prioritised a good work-life balance, a high salary, and the opportunity to travel.

Caroline O’Driscoll, co-founder of I Wish, stated that they have engaged with over 60,000 girls in the past decade and have witnessed substantial positive change. “There has been a notable increase in female enrolment in STEM college courses, with the proportion rising from 29% in 2014 to 36% last year. Nevertheless, while significant progress is evident, there is still room for improvement. We must better appreciate the work-related values held by these girls. A career in STEM arguably embodies these values, but perhaps we are not conveying the story effectively. This is where the I Wish survey plays a crucial role, allowing us to use the data to enhance the way we tell the story and change the story for girls,” she said.

Speaking on the survey launch, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “The I Wish 2023 report highlights a stark reality – that a significant percentage of our young girls lack crucial information about STEM opportunities. STEM fields are pathways to innovation, progress, and limitless potential. We are committed to ensuring that every young woman in our country has the knowledge and support needed to excel in STEM.

“I commend I Wish’s decade-long effort in empowering young women to pursue STEM careers, and for this annual report which offers invaluable insights.”

I Wish’s aims to provide female STEM role models, address post-graduate gender disparities in STEM careers, improve access to STEM subjects, and enhance focus on STEM-related careers throughout students’ education.