A number of Galway initiatives are among more then 40 projects set to benefit from over €6 million in government funding aimed at increasing and diversifying engagement with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths ).
The investment under the Science foundation Ireland (SFI ) Discover Programme will be used to reach less represented voices and people who would not typically engage with STEM subjects.
Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Government Chief Whip, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, welcomed the announcement of the funding saying it would extend opportunities and talent in the region.
“This is a significant investment that will open opportunities in STEM to those who may not otherwise have considered them and will inspire many to pursue studies and careers in the area,” she said.
The SFI Discover Programme supports projects that empower and inspire public engagement with STEM, creating new initiatives for this purpose. Two projects based in NUI Galway are among those to benefit under the scheme.
The ReelLIFE SCIENCE Video competition has been allocated €35,000, while €49,195 has been awarded to a project called Immersive Empathy: Using Immersive Technologies to Narrate Community Challenges.
The discover Programme is a joint initiative involving the Department of Education and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
“This will extend STEM opportunities to people who might otherwise never encounter them, and the disciplines themselves will benefit from the enlargement and diversify of participants,” said Minister Naughton.
“The programme fosters collaboration and public engagement with the STEM with a focus on diversifying and expanding participation geographically and with reference to traditionally less-represented voices.
“It’s a hugely positive step and I look forward to seeing the benefits in the coming years,” she added.
