Introductions Your turn Please introduce your neighbour Let us know: Do they have previous experience of visiting a school/volunteering? What do they hope to get from this session today? Why did they choose science as a career? What is the best thing about their job as a scientist?

Smart Futures Smart Futures is a Government-backed initiative working with industry and education partners to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers to post-primary students in Ireland. Aim is to improve the coordination of industry outreach resources and encourage students to consider STEM subjects at post-primary and third level.

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.

Smart Futures School Visits Objective To grow awareness of what scientists do and what skills they use/require and by doing so – Positively impact on those choosing STEM subjects Science as a career

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? Chemical sector accounted for over 58% of Irish exports in 2010 (worth €50.8bn) Industry – like Allergan, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Merck, Elan have all recently invested in Ireland 86k people employed in physics-based jobs and 80 jobs per week announced in ICT Starting salaries for science, tech and engineering graduates are between €24k- €31k

Why now? Higher + Ordinary2013 Maths50,856 Biology31,500 Chemistry8,155 Agri Science7,414 Physics6,448 Engineering4,881 Applied Maths1,599 Technology1,075

Challenges

Benefits of Volunteering?

Consider your audience How would you present to a group? How to present to/engage a primary school audience? How to present to/engage a post-primary school audience? How is science or technology relevant to the group in question? What questions would you expect from the group?

Reflect Be yourself Avoid jargon Dress casual 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! The less formal the presentation is the better it works at Primary Level Volunteer Tips for Success

And now for your actual presentation…!

Your name here Type of Scientist Company

WHAT DOES A SCIENTIST DO?

Scientists make our lives better

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

Scientists help us look good Health Nutrition Cosmetics Genetics Chemistry Biology Manufacturing

Scientists help us get there Materials Manufacturing Physics Maths Energy Chemistry Transport

Scientists keep us connected Computer science Maths Technology Data analysis

Scientists help keep us fit Sports science Biochemistry Physics Maths Biology Data analysis

Scientists keep us healthy Medical devices Pharmaceuticals Nanotechnology Immunology Chemistry Maths Data analysis

WHERE DO SCIENTISTS WORK?

Scientists work in hospitals and clinics Machines Materials Technologies Processes Measures

Scientists work in the field Sustainable fuels Chemistry Energy Agriculture

Scientists work in the developing world Chemistry Microbiology Medicine Biotechnology

Scientists work in laboratories Medicine Microbiology Biology Pathology Epidemiology

Scientists work in all kinds of environments Marine Biology Oceanography Ecology Astronomy Research

Scientists work in the world of finance and cybersecurity Data analytics Physics Maths Statistics Cryptography Coding

WHAT SKILLS DO SCIENTISTS NEED?

Problem solving

Teamwork and communication

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

Creativity and 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