Two Galway girls have been sold on science, technology, engineering and mathematics after taking part in a special Mission to Mars Lego Robotics Summer Academy in Dublin City University.
Ciara-Beth Griffin (17 ) of Athenry and Orla O’Neill (18 ) of Barna joined members of Irish Girl Guides from around the country at the week-long course where they received hands-on experience making Lego robots, which they learned to manoeuvre using programming. They gained a range of skills in computational thinking, engineering and programming during the course, which was engaging and hands-on.
The course was designed to encourage girls to take STEM subjects in school and college and to consider pursuing careers in STEM.
The girls also had a Skype call with Dr Niamh Shaw, who recently took part in a simulated Mars mission in the Utah desert. Dr Shaw is lecturer at the International Space University’s annual Space Studies Programme in Cork.
