Careers: ‘the biggest barrier to STEM is lack of funding’

Science Week takes place across the country from 10-17 November, aiming to promote and engage the public with STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The national programme, funded by Research Ireland, plays a crucial role in fostering scientific literacy, encouraging curiosity, and highlighting the importance of scientific research and innovation in society.

There is also a wide variety of career opportunities across STEM. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports that 158,300 people were employed in professional, scientific and technical activities in 2021, up from 139,400 in 2020.

Despite layoffs amongst tech companies, the need for digital, technology and analytics expertise continues to grow, and there are skill shortages in this area.

There are several people and initiatives across the country promoting the importance of STEM. Here we speak to some of the driving forces behind these organisations, on the work they are doing and the challenges they face.

Louise Gallagher is a science and agricultural science teacher, who has always had a passion for fostering a love of STEM in her students. She is the founder of STEMtacular and was shortlisted for the Women in STEM Awards 2024.

STEMtacular is a free one-day festival of STEM for primary school students across the northwest. It is aimed at children from second class to sixth class, who showcase a project they have worked on in school.

On the morning of the event, students meet with judges to chat about their project. They also have the opportunity to interact with 13 exhibitors across all areas of STEM, who showcase the opportunities available to them. This is an important part of the day, according to Louise, because for those living in rural areas, the world of possibilities through STEM is not always obvious.

“A student might say it isn’t their favourite subject, but I enjoy showing them how their hobbies and interests would have some STEM in them. I feel this is important, showing them how STEM is all around them and its real-life applications,” says Louise.

STEMtacular

While on maternity leave with her fifth child in 2023, Louise decided to try and run a STEM Fair for schools in Leitrim.

“I decided to do it, partly because I wanted opportunities for my children. It was a bit of a catch-22, as companies were keen on supporting it but I had nothing to show them, only a vision in my head.

“I eventually got some financial support and pulled in a lot of favours from friends and family to run our first STEMtacular fair,” says Louise.

This year’s event was an even bigger success than she had anticipated, with over 550 students taking part from schools all across the northwest, including Leitrim, Cavan, Roscommon and Longford.

Next year’s event will take place on 27 February 2025.

“During my research for the event, I learned that Leitrim had the lowest engagement in STEM across Ireland, something I believe is due to lack of opportunities rather than interest,” she says.

Louise also offers primary school workshops to educate students and teachers alike, so that their STEM education is not limited to one day.

“I believe the biggest barrier to promoting STEM is funding; schools are under-resourced when it comes to STEM materials and funding for workshops.

“Last year the Government provided STEM funding for primary schools – but this was awarded by a lottery system and many schools missed out,” she says.

Midlands Science is an outreach organisation which provides free STEM activities all year round in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. It deals with people of all ages from schools to the general public. They run the Midlands Science Festival during National Science Week every November.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science, emphasises the importance of communicating that science is part of everything in life.

“Science Week is really important and it’s open to everyone. There are a wide range of activities running across the country. The theme for Science Week this year is regeneration. The decisions we make today will greatly impact future generations and so it is important to take learnings from the past to inform our decisions for the future,” she says.

Although a lot of people perceive STEM as working in a lab, or at a computer, the reality is very different and much more diverse, according to Jackie.

“We have done some research with our participants and when asked what might put them off considering a STEM career, the most common answer is that the work will be boring.

“Engaging more people means constantly re-enforcing the message that STEM is for everyone. The support in schools and communities makes this message a reality for everyone and it needs to be there every step of the way,” says Jackie.

In recent years, Jackie has started to see more women in senior roles in STEM, something which she welcomes warmly,

“Profiling female role models and encouraging mentoring is vital for this to continue,” she explains.

There is still a large gender gap in STEM at both the university and workforce levels. According to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), of those entering Higher Education, 43% of men study STEM, compared to only 19% of women, a 24% difference.

“Currently, women and non-binary people make up just 26% of STEM graduates. These talented graduates must be supported as they enter the workplace where they are likely to be a minority. Creating a sense of community and highlighting role models is key to addressing the current under-representation of women in STEM,” says Pamela McGee, communications and relationship manager with STEM Women.

STEM Women

STEM women run career events aimed at women studying science, technology, engineering and maths-related subjects at college or university. To date, they have hosted over 90 events across Ireland, the UK and Australia, connecting thousands of women to inclusive employers in STEM.

With graduate and apprenticeship level opportunities available throughout industries, it is important to support people accessing these roles.

“We connect school, college and university leavers with roles in a wide range of industries, particularly in engineering and tech. Women are often told they need to be more confident to progress in STEM careers, but there’s really no evidence to support this. Our research shows high levels of career confidence among female STEM graduates,” says Pamela.

She believes women need more support to progress in their careers, through practical actions like flexible working, fair pay and zero tolerance of workplace discrimination.

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