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 post- primary 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 ( ) 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 + Ordinary2014 Maths52,381 Biology32,957 Chemistry8,604 (+5.5%) Agri Science7,926 Physics7,177 (+11%) Engineering5,203 Applied Maths1,706 (+7%) Technology1,102

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.

Reflect Be yourself Connect with teacher before visit Consider your clothes, body language, and tone Buddy up Bring/Use Props Bring/Use Props Enjoy! Praise, praise, praise Every idea is a good idea! Praise, praise, praise Every idea is a good idea! Keep it informal and avoid acronyms/ jargon! Keep it informal and avoid acronyms/ jargon! Volunteer Tips for Success

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