Introductions
Your turn!
• Introduce yourself (give 4 points about your career to-date).
• Do you have previous experience of volunteering?
• What do you want from today’s session?
• Why did you choose a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or
Maths (STEM)? Best thing about your job?
Smart Futures
•
Smart Futures is a Government initiative working with industry, research and
education partners to promote STEM careers to post-primary students in
Ireland.
•
Main aim is to encourage students to consider/retain STEM subjects at postprimary and third level and improve the coordination of outreach
resources.
•
Objective is to grow awareness and improve perceptions of what people
working in STEM do and what skills they use/require.
Smart Futures
• Co-ordinated by the SFI Discover Programme and Engineer’s Ireland STEPS
programme, with partners such as PharmaChem Ireland, Royal Society of
Chemistry, the Institute of Physics and ICT Ireland etc.
STEM careers in Ireland
•
Ireland's top 10 multinational employers include Intel, IBM, Microsoft and Google
•
100k+ employed in the tech sector (730+ Irish digital tech companies)
•
Employment in ICT up 30% last 10 years – approx. 80 jobs per week
•
44.5k jobs in ICT forecast (2013-18)
•
Computer science/electronic engineering grads in high demand
•
Salaries in ICT sector 29% higher than average wage
•
European App economy worth €10billion+ and employs 800,00 people
STEM Careers in Ireland
•
Starting salaries for STEM graduates between €24k- €31k
•
CEOs in finance sector €500k (pa)/pharmaceutical €420k
•
86k people employed in physics-based jobs in Ireland
•
8 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies (50k+ employed)
•
250 medtech companies (50% indigenous) + employs 25k
•
5k+ employed in biotech in Ireland (and growing)
•
230,000 jobs linked to agri-food sector (30k more expected)
Why now?
Higher + Ordinary
2014
Maths
52,381
Biology
32,957
Chemistry
8,604 (+5.5%)
Agri Science
7,926
Physics
7,177 (+11%)
Engineering
5,203
Applied Maths
1,706 (+7%)
Technology
1,102
Challenges
Benefits of Volunteering?
Communication: consider your audience
How would you present to a student group?
• How to present to a primary school audience?
• How to present to a post-primary school audience?
• How is technology relevant to the group in question?
• What questions would you expect from the group?
Great public speaking is…?
• Use humour, personal stories and conversational language – don’t patronise!
• Practice with a timer and allow time for questions.
• Project your voice, don’t mumble - be heard!
• Be personable, ask students direct questions, use first names.
• Connect with teacher pre-visit to agree content, pitch, age group etc.
• Use ice-breakers and transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
• Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.
Volunteer Tips for Success
Be yourself
Keep it informal
and avoid
acronyms/
jargon!
Connect
with teacher
before visit
Bring/Use
Props
Consider your
clothes, body
language, and
tone
Reflect
Praise,
praise, praise
Every idea is a
good idea!
Buddy
up
Enjoy!
A sample school presentation…
Your name here
Job title
Company
What is STEM?
Who works in STEM?in technology?
STEM is…
Changing Our World
STEM keeps us connected
Computer science
Maths
Programming
Hardware
Apps
Graphics
Cloud computing
Social Media
STEM helps us look good!
Health
Nutrition
Pharmaceuticals
Cosmetics
Genetics
Manufacturing
Nanotechnology
STEM helps produce safe food
Biotechnology
Food science
Agriculture
Microbiology
Ecology Meteorology
Manufacturing
STEM helps us get there
Materials
Manufacturing
Physics
Maths
Energy
Transport
GPS
STEM helps us win!
Sports science
Biochemistry
Physics
Maths
Data analysis
Apps
E-textiles
NanoTech
STEM saves lives
Medical devices Pharmaceuticals Nanotechnology Immunology Maths Data analysis
STEM can help the developing world
Construction
Energy
Agriculture
Communications
Health
Education
STEM is changing education
Interactive learning
Collaboration
Research
Communication
Art and design
Finance and cybersecurity
Software
Data analytics
Physics
Maths
Forensics
Cryptography
Coding
e-Commerce
STEM has created…
Digital Media Technology!
Music
Film
Television
Radio
Print
Design
Animation
Publishing
Internet
Marketing
What skills do people in
STEM need?
Problem solving and critical thinking
Teamwork and communication
Creativity, Innovation, Curiosity
MY STORY
School Subjects
Qualifications
Why I chose to work
in STEM
My typical working day…
Benefits of working in STEM
Diversity
Flexibility
Travel the world
Further training
Solve problems In-Demand
QUESTIONS?
End of your presentation!
Dos and Don’ts
Information on Child protection and other issues
• Read and sign Smart Futures child protection sheet
• Teacher must stay in the room at all times!
What’s next?
• Smart Futures takes requests for visits
from schools
• Indicate your availability and where you
can travel to on sign up sheet
• Smart Futures contacts you to arrange
visits at a time that suits
•
Visits are evaluated by teacher and volunteer