Creative Laois students to be robot builders in new digital skills scheme
LOETB and Laois & Offaly County Council team up on project
Students attending schools in Laois and Offaly are set to benefit from a new programme aimed at developing their digital skills.
The new initiative from LOETB and Laois and Offaly County Councils will see four Laois post-primary schools getting from €10,000 worth of S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths) equipment and support each over the next few years. The funding is part of a new programme to support the development of digital skills among students in LOETB (Laois Offaly Education and Training Board) schools.
The programme was launch event, held in Tullamore LOETB Hub. It heard that Clonaslee College, Dunamase College, Portlaoise College and St Fergal's, Rathdowney and their Offaly equivalents will see the new S.T.E.A.M. programme provided by a partnership between the County Councils and LOETB.
The LOEB says the programme will see schools provided with equipment for robotics, coding, design and podcasting. Student will collaborate in teams in the different areas to design and build robots, recreate virtual sustainable versions of their own communities. They will also code through block-based coding and python and create podcasts with their very own school podcast studios.
LOETB Director of Schools, Linda Tynan, thanked all those involved in this new programme in particular students, for attending the launch. She discussed how a key target of the programme across these schools was to develop the 21st century skills that will allow our young people to thrive in today’s digital world and workplace - skills like ‘collaboration and creativity,’ that are so prized by today’s employers.
LOETB Chief Executive, Joe Cunningham, officially launched the programme. He referred to the potential of the S.T.E.A.M. Programme to really make a difference for the young people involved and their schools.
Pictured: LOETB CEO Joe Cunningham.
Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Cllr Paschal McEvoy said both councils are proud to be associated with the STEAM programme. He felt that the association between LOETB, their nine schools and both local authorities is a great example of what is possible, and provided a pathway to the future in Laois, Offaly and the midlands.
He praised the enthusiasm of teachers -and especially the students - who he said it was clear were ‘eager to showcase their talents through the project.’
Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick described how both Councils are innovating and transforming through a range of business, community and educational initiatives such as the new schools project.
He stressed how this initiative built on the Midlands strong heritage in science and engineering and also highlighted the 'Just Transition’ plan for the region which he felt ensured that no one is left behind in trying to create new employment opportunities.
The Programme for 2023/24 will culminate in a showcase event in April where the content created across all four strands of the programme will be on display, with the winning teams and projects getting recognition for their efforts through a series of prizes, sponsored by both Councils.