2. Remember when you were small and you could have dreams of being anything you wanted to be when you grew up, before life and reality got in the way?
What did you dream of becoming? What changed in the interim?
Today’s session is all about going back to that time in your life and thinking about what happened between then and your teenage years, when you had to pick school subjects and make choices about what you were going to do after you were finished with secondary school. Where did you get your information about life afterschool or what path to pursue? Who was there to advise you? How did you make your decisions and what was influencing you at the time?
Going back over those thought processes will help you to better identify with your teenage audience. Put yourself into their shoes to imagine what personal insights you could share with them now, things you wished you’d known that might have also benefited you, when you were in school or at that same age. Remember, this is all about telling your own story – which is the story you know best!

3. Smart Futures
Smart Futures is a Government initiative working with industry, research and education partners to promote STEM careers to post-primary students in Ireland.
Objective is to grow awareness and improve perceptions of what people working in STEM do and what skills they use/require.
Aim is to encourage students to consider/retain STEM subjects at post- primary and third level and improve the coordination of outreach resources.
Note: Smart Futures focuses on getting volunteers to engage with students in secondary schools rather than primary schools. While inspiring young children with role models at primary school is hugely important, our main aim with this programme is to support Junior Cycle students before they make their final Senior Cycle subject choices, and Senior Cycle students preparing to leave school.

4. Smart Futures
Co-ordinated by the Science Foundation Ireland with partners such as Engineer’s Ireland STEPS programme, PharmaChem Ireland, Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics and ICT Ireland etc
It’s important to acknowledge who is behind Smart Futures – partners?
Be aware that as a volunteer you’re part of a bigger network than just this organisation.
We can create a stronger programme by working together – this allows us to identify gaps and evaluate well.

5. STEM careers in Ireland
Starting salaries for STEM graduates up to €3Ok
(Graduates of computer science, software engineering, programming, pharmacy and medical devices pay particularly well)
Ireland’s BioPharma sector employs over 60,000 people and there is potential to create 8,000 more before 2020
10 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies have branches in Ireland
Over 50,000 people employed in PharmaChem, with 65% third-level qualified
There are 300+ MedTech companies. 30,000 people are employed in Medtech companies and 9,000 more expected by 2020
230k jobs linked to agri-food sector (30k more expected)
You’ll be asked how much do you earn, you don’t have to say, but indicate the average starting salary and highlight opportunities to move up or continue training etc.
Point out to students that technology underpins all STEM sectors and their skills requirements!
-4 billion euro has been invested in Biopharmachem since 2012
-As the second largest exporter of MedTech products in Europe, Ireland supplies 95 of the world’s top 100 countries (ranked by GDP)
-Over 50,000 people directly and indirectly employed in PharamChem, 50% of whom hold a third-level qualification.
18 of the world's top 25 medtech companies have a base in Ireland
Graduate engineers can earn between €28,000 per annum with the possibility of increasing to €37,000 per annum after 3 years.
The largest proportion of Computer Science/ICT (25%) and Engineering (23%) graduates are earning between €29,000 and €33,000.
Research Assistant (Level 1) start on €21,850 / Post-doc researcher (Level 2) €37,750 / Research Fellow €51,716 / Snr Research Fellow up to €65k
Average Industrial Wage in Ireland is €45,611, however low skilled workers in hotel and food sector earn approx. €16,332 pa. Fewer chances to progress
National agri-food strategy Food Harvest 2020 which aims to create 30,000 new jobs
Use facts and figures as you see fit.

6. STEM careers in Ireland
Ireland's top 10 multinational employers include Intel, IBM, Microsoft and Google
100,000 employed in the tech sector (730+ Irish digital tech companies)
There are over 63,000 people employed in ICT in Ireland
8 of the top 10 IT companies have a presence in Ireland.
Only 19% of ICT firms have an average employee tenure of greater than 5 years, indicating the fluidity of the market, candidates working in this sector can expect good opportunities and competition for their talents.
Computer science/ICT graduates are in high demand, with the highest proportion of graduates employed in Ireland at 66%, with a starting salary of 30,000.
Other info:
We want students to know where there are jobs and to have a clear idea about the skillsets required
1000+ companies employ technical staff in sectors like digital media, eRetail, life sciences, cybersecurity, financial services etc.
AI, Big Data, cybersecurity, mobile apps, cloud computing and high tech manufacturing identified as key growth areas and software engineers who specialise specifically in Java or Python
40% of ICT (Information and Communications technology) professionals are employed across other (non-ICT) sectors of the economy
The ICT sector is growing 4 times faster than any other sector Ireland
Employment in ICT up 30% last 10 years (Vs 0.05% in other areas)
There could be up to 825,000 unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals by 2020 ( - Tailor this info to suit different audiences you are talking to.
Pick two stats to throw out to a class as an ice-breaker or use as quiz questions!
Computer science/ICT graduates are in high demand, with the highest proportion of graduates employed in Ireland at 66% (

7. Leaving Cert Higher + Ordinary Design & Communication
Why now?
Leaving Cert Higher + Ordinary
2015
2016
Maths
53,570
54,225
Biology
33,865
34,101
Chemistry
8,938
9,089
Physics and Chemistry
552
579
Physics
7,508
7,753
Engineering
5,376
5,379
Applied Maths
1,919
2,089
Technology
1,327
1,415
Design & Communication
5,362
5,523
Agricultural Science
7,672
7,893
2017
2018
54,665
53,391
34,292
33,549
9,468
9,167
591
518
7,585
7535
5,275
5,254
1,969
1,954
1,527
1,534
5,575
5,393
7,660
7,780
Still big imbalance in the number of students pursuing biology and the physical sciences in post-primary schools.
Number taking maths above includes higher level, ordinary level and foundation level
30% students took HL in % in increase in numbers even though decrease in overall numbers taking maths
In 2017, 47.3% of HL maths students were females. In 2018, it was 48%.
In 2018, only 27.2% of the Applied Maths students were female.
86% of chemistry students took Higher Level in 2017 and 2018
75% of all physics Leaving Cert students (ordinary and higher) are male (2016). Dropped to 72.2% in Dropped to 70% in 2018
83% of physics students took Higher Level in 2018
62% of all biology HL Leaving Cert students are female (2018)
5% of all engineering Leaving Cert students (ordinary and higher) are female (2016)
In 2017, 591 sat Physics-Chem exam, in 2018, only 518
5254 sat Engineering exam in 2018, up from 5,275 in 2017.
For info on increases and decreases in CAO 1st preference applications to STEM-related courses, visit:

8. Challenges
Not enough students are taking STEM subjects – we want to change that – but there are some challenges.
It can be an up hill struggle to change perceptions among teachers / students / society
Some cultural stigmas / stereotypes still exist
To change perceptions people need real life context and to meet real people working in STEM careers
Cuts in funding and lack of resources present challenges for schools – some subjects not available
Students think they have to be a mathematical genius to work in science.
Perception of being stuck in front of a computer or in a lab all the time.
You are part of the solution!

9. Benefits of Volunteering?
Why do people volunteer? What are the benefits for volunteer/organisation /school/ community
Highlight the motivating factors for volunteers
Volunteering = A chance to be role models /career influencers
Volunteering = An opportunity to challenge perceptions and break stereotypes!
Highlight it on your linkedin profile / add to your CV / increase self confidence / improve comms skills / feel good
Ripple effect
Positive for community as well as organisation – raise awareness / give something back / engage / address skills shortages / invest in people /
keep it local / CSR / improve scientific literacy / collaborate
Help make curriculum relevant – real world applications

10. Communication: consider your audience
How would you present to a student group?
How to present to a primary school audience?
How to present to a post-primary school audience?
How is technology relevant to the group in question?
What questions would you expect from the group?
Public speaking is easy…right?!
It’s all about preparation -

11. Great public speaking is…?
Use humour, personal stories and conversational language – don’t patronise!
Practice with a timer and allow time for questions.
Project your voice, don’t mumble - be heard!
Be personable, ask students direct questions, use first names.
Connect with teacher pre-visit to agree content, pitch, age group etc.
Use ice-breakers and consider your audience.
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.
Toastmasters Tips for great public speaking
Connecting with the teacher before will allow you to manage their expectations and ensure you are well prepared (discuss timing, equipment, age-group, ability, content matter, hands-on activity or not etc. before the day of the visit)
Tailor your message and language to suit the audience! Would you use the same language for a primary school group as a post primary group?
Post primary- what questions do they expect to be asked?
What kind of props could you use/bring?
Activity ideas for students? ‘One thing science or tech gives us that you couldn’t live without?’ or ask students to work in groups for 5 minutes to write down any job relating to technology they might like to do!

12. Volunteer Tips for Success
Be yourself!
Consider your clothes, body language, and tone
Buddy up
Connect with teacher before visit
Keep it informal and avoid acronyms/
jargon!
Reflect
Classroom
pre/post
talk survey
Remember to praise.
Every idea is a good idea!
So, we’ve gone through some general tips on communicating and looked at why volunteering is beneficial and important.
Normal person – what wear to work
Connect with teacher – manage expectations = know what doing = check facilities
Utube ??
Body Language- tone
Remember to praise – Great Q – no matter what say good q don’t let them feel stupid
After visit reflect and amylase
Pre post survey – Take q at start and again at end – use feedback on link
After break we will go through the actual presentation you can use on visits, talk about child protection issues and discuss the process of how we manage school requests and booking visits.
Enjoy!
Bring props

13. Dos and Don’ts Information on Child protection and other issues
Read and Familiarise with new Children's First Act
Garda vetting is not required BUT teacher must stay in
the room at all times!
Photos cannot be taken without seeking prior consent
Never share/circulate your personal contact information
with students – you can liaise via the teacher/school
Never accept a friend request from students on social media
Never let a teacher leave you alone with students – teachers will be told this beforehand as well
Do not take photos at the session of children unless you have permission of guardians
These tips are important – it is not your job to discipline the class!
For info: Smart Futures volunteers are exempt from Garda vetting requirements, as set out in the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012
Section 3 (1) of the Act states "this Act shall not apply to .....the giving of assistance by an individual on an occasional basis and for no commercial consideration at a school, sports or community event, other than where such assistance includes coaching, mentoring, counselling, teaching or training of children."
It is illegal to ask volunteers to be vetted where their volunteering activity does not require it. This programme exemption has been endorsed by Volunteer Ireland and the Dept. of Justice in Ireland.
In keeping with best practice, volunteers carrying out more than 8 visits per year will be asked to be vetted, which will be processed via Volunteer Ireland.

15. For more information, visit: www.SmartFutures.ie smartfutures@sfi.ie37
For more information, visit:
@SmartFuturesIE
SmartFuturesIreland