A glimpse of the future for Údarás na Gaeltachta ‘An Chruinne’ STEM participants with Randox!
As a fitting finale to this year’s Údarás na Gaeltachta ‘An Chruinne’ STEM programme, Randox Teoranta in An Chlochán Liath hosted a ‘school to work day’ for the students of Scoil Chróine, An Clochán Liath in association with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland.
The students were given a very informative tour of the high tech Randox Teoranta facility in An Clochán Liath and got first-hand experience of the exciting roles in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics that are available in the world-class Gaeltacht facility. Randox Teoranta was established in 2008 in An Clochán Liath and is part of the global group Randox Holdings Ltd. which is among the top 20 biochemical diagnostic companies in the world and is a global brand with its products being sold in over 145 countries. At a time when these students are about to embark on their second-level education, it was an interesting and motivational opportunity for them to see first-hand the various roles and career options that are and will be available in the Gaeltacht through science and engineering.
It is important for Údarás na Gaeltachta and its client companies to encourage the Gaeltacht’s younger generation to move towards innovation.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh
The visit proved a fitting culmination to the Údarás na Gaeltachta ‘An Chruinne’ STEM programme, which was run in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland and has now reached over 400 primary school students in Gaeltacht areas around the country.
The An Chruinne programme introduces science through practical and engaging classroom-based lessons through Irish and is designed to encourage 6th class Gaeltacht primary school students to continue with science as they transition to second level. Volunteers from organisations around the country were recruited, trained and supported to facilitate the in-classroom programme fostering students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). ‘An Chruinne’ comprises of five modules spanning the fundamentals of science while highlighting its value to young people in their everyday lives.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, commenting on the An Chruinne Programme, said: “It is important for Údarás na Gaeltachta and its client companies to encourage the Gaeltacht’s younger generation to move towards innovation and spark an interest in these sectors through their native language. We are grateful to Randox Teoranta and other client companies who have given freely of their time to inspire the next generation towards innovation and science and to highlight the excellent opportunities that are available in Gaeltacht areas. The youth of today are our future entrepreneurs and scientists and they will create and develop the Gaeltacht of the future.”