STEM Passport for Inclusion - Maynooth University

Background

The STEM Passport for Inclusion, led by MU's Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, addresses gender inequalities among female pupils in socially disadvantaged communities through an innovative programme of mentoring and education supports. Since 2021 1250 girls from 38 schools have participated in the programme.

The STEM Passport for Inclusion contributes to the achievements of equality and diversity in STEM careers by supporting and promoting STEM education and careers to SocioEconomically Disadvantaged (SED) girls across Ireland.

In Ireland, there are striking gender imbalances in STEM subject choices made by boys and girls at the post[1]primary level. The trend is overwhelmingly for boys to select physical science and technology subjects, with girls outnumbering boys in biology. Females are also under-represented in higher education STEM courses.

It is likely that subject selection at Leaving Certificate is one of several factors contributing to the under-representation of women in STEM-related careers. In 2019, 55.7% of all-girls secondary schools offered STEM related subjects — other than maths or science — compared to 95% of all-boys secondary schools offering the same subjects for the state exam.

STEM Passport for Inclusion

While the STEM Passport for Inclusion aims to provide young women from diverse backgrounds with equal opportunities to access STEM, it also aims to align its offerings to meet the needs of broader society. As part of our system thinking approach to equity, we have developed the STEM Passport for Inclusion in such a way that it aligns with national strategy for work, education, and societal growth.

By partnering across Industry, Education (Higher and Post-Secondary), and SFI, we are creating a cohesive eco-system which allows young, working-class women to see their place in STEM, access pathways to STEM courses and careers, and attain STEM qualifications and mentorship.

Impact of the STEM Passport

Since 2021 1250 girls from 38 schools have participated in the programme. They completed research pre and post participation.

• 76% of students said they are now considering a career in STEM due to participating in the STEM Passport for Inclusion
• 95% of students said that the mentors had changed their view of STEM
• 79% of students said they were now considering studying a STEM subject

In the next phase of the STEM Passport for Inclusion, we want to build on the success of the first two year and harness the skills we have developed-reaching out to those communities that remain underserved and on the outskirts. Through an in-depth analysis of the schools that we have engaged with in year one and two — and the impact of the first phase of this project — we have observed that there are still specific schools and students which are not engaging with this work.

Partnership Approach

The STEM Passport is built on strategic partnership across Industry and Education; Microsoft Ireland (Education and Dreamspace), Accenture, RDI Hub, Prodigy Learning, Munster Technological University, Teen Turn and Mercy Inchicore worked together to develop and deliver the programme. Funded by these partners and the SFI Discover award, the programme has been able to harness the power of Industry to ensure the content of the qualification meets the basic STEM skills required for career progression