Introductions Your turn! Introduce yourself (give 4 points about your career to-date). Do you have previous experience of visiting a school/volunteering? What do you hope to get from this session today? Why did you choose science as a career? What is the best thing about your job?

Smart Futures Smart Futures is a Government initiative working with industry, research and education partners to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers to post-primary students in Ireland. Main aim is to improve the coordination of outreach resources and encourage students to consider/retain STEM subjects at post-primary and third level. Objective is to grow awareness of what scientists do and what skills they use/require.

Smart Futures Co-ordinated by the SFI Discover Programme partnering with the Engineer’s Ireland STEPS programme as well as PharmaChem Ireland, Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics.

What do we know? 9 of the top 10 global pharma-chemical companies are located in Ireland. Ireland is the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the world. 7 of the top 10 selling medicines are produced here. 52k+ people employed in Irish and multinational Life Sciences companies (in areas like Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, BioPharma, Food).

What do we know? Approx. 120 overseas companies have plants in Ireland. BioPharma: move towards personalised medicine and niche products / converging products (i.e. IT and medical devices). 86k people employed in physics-based jobs and approx. 80 jobs per week announced in ICT sector. Starting salaries for science, tech and engineering graduates are between €24k- €31k (CSO show that pharma workers earn almost 30% more than national average).

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 science or 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

And now for your actual presentation…!

Your name here Type of Scientist Company

WHAT DOES A SCIENTIST DO?

Scientists help us produce safe food Food Science Agriculture Microbiology Meteorology Ecology Technology Manufacturing

Scientists help us look good and keep us healthy Health Nutrition Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics Genetics Chemistry Microbiology Nanotechnology

Scientists help us get there Materials ManufacturingPhysicsMathsChemistryEnergy

Scientists keep us connected Computer Science Applied Maths Technology Data Analysis

Scientists help us win! Sports Science Biochemistry Physics Maths Biology Data Analysis

WHERE DO SCIENTISTS WORK?

Scientists work in hospitals and clinics Scientists work with engineers to develop new devices, technologies and processes to improve health

Scientists work in the field Scientists work on renewable fuels and energy sources to create a cleaner environment

Scientists work in the developing world Scientists work to create better living conditions for people - e.g. clean water, fuel, food and medicines

Scientists work in laboratories Analytical Chemistry MicrobiologyCrystallography Applied Physics

Scientists work in all kinds of environments Marine BiologyOceanographyEcology Sensors Astronomy Research

Scientists work in the world of finance and cybersecurity Data analyticsPhysicsApplied MathsStatisticsCryptographyProgramming

WHAT SKILLS DO SCIENTISTS NEED?

Problem solving and critical thinking

Teamwork and communication

Investigative skills Scientists search for evidence to back up their findings.

Creativity, Innovation, Curiosity Develop good observation skills – be inquisitive, open-minded and question everything!

MY STORY

Your Name Here Type of scientist Studied science at Science subjects

WHY I CHOOSE SCIENCE

My typical working day…

Benefits to working in science Travel the world Further training Teach others Publish your research

QUESTIONS?

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

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