Education

Junior Achievement

More than 100 pupils from Primary Schools in Galway visit and experience the wonderful world of science, learning that science is actually very interesting!

The students from Holy Trinity N.S., Mervue, Scoil Chroí Íosa, Newcastle, Bullaun N.S. and Clarinbridge N.S. visit the campus annually as part of the Junior Achievement "Challenge Science" programme, which is supported by Boston Scientific.

Junior Achievement teaches young people about the world of work and specifically targets those at risk of early school leaving. 60,000 primary and secondary school students participate in Junior Achievement enterprise, maths, and science and life skills programmes each year. The structured programmes are delivered in the classroom by business volunteers from local organisations who motivate and inspire young people to value education and equip them with the skills they need to succeed at school and in life.

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The enthusiastic young scientists are tutored by business volunteers from Boston Scientific, who share their experience of working in the medical device industry and held workshops on Forensic Science, Defence against Disease, Careers in Science, Technology and Engineering. They are also treated to a tour of the Science Department and Campus by student volunteers from the ALIVE programme.

The workshops provided an appreciation of the world of science and each of the activities focused on a highly topical scientific subject – like the use of science in solving crime and the vital role of bioscience in protecting against the spread of disease and bacteria.

Prof. Donal Leech, Dean of Science, commented “NUI Galway are delighted to host ‘Challenge Science’ which is hugely valuable in developing an interest in science and I hope to see some of the pupils back in NUI Galway  in the future, as Science students or even working in the Science or Engineering departments at the campus”.

The enthusiasm of the students was evident from the start. “The workshops with the Boston Scientific staff really helped the students to realise that you can take several different paths in order to work in the field of science. The teams also showed that science can be so enjoyable and we heard lots of excitement and enthusiasm in the workshops today, as the students vied against each other to be No. 1 forensic detective!

Siobhan Hopper, Boston Scientific, Galway addressed the students and said,

“It’s great to see so many young people with an interest in Science and Technology. It’s important to continue to develop that interest and keep up STEM (Science, Technology, engineering, Maths) subjects in Secondary School. You the students here today might be designing or making products that can save and improve lives in the future! Who knows? We might see you applying for roles with Boston Scientific in years to come. I’d like to thank your teachers and your schools for supporting you and bringing you to this event and for helping to develop an interest in STEM at a young age, particularly given our location here at the Medical Device Hub here in Galway.”