STEM Passport for Inclusion: Bridging the Gap in STEM Access for Disadvantaged Students 

    The STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme addresses unequal access to STEM courses and careers among people from under-served communities. STEMP.Inc aims to empower young women from working class communities with a STEM qualification and an Industry mentor. Our vision is to ensure people on the margins of society are STEM prepared. Through our innovative system thinking approach- we have worked with Industry and Educators, from across Ireland, to provide STEM opportunities to 1000s of under-served people from across the island of Ireland. 

    The programme’s innovation is seen in our system focused intervention. We provide TY students with a university qualification (Level 6 NFQ) while still in school, we provide education supports, and we offer mentoring from 100s of industry role models. Since 2021 5000+ students have graduated from our three universities- qualifying for the Points Pathway to STEM courses and careers. The national roll-out of the programme (2023-2025), received the largest grant ever awarded by the Discover programme from Research Ireland. With co-funded support from Microsoft Ireland, we received 1.2 million euro in total to reach 5000 students from every county in Ireland. Our partner universities, Atlantic Technological University and Munster Technological University collaborate to ensure we reach students from every corner of Ireland!  

    Our Vision: Every person, irrespective of class or condition, will be STEM prepared 

    Women are not all the same!

    The STEM Passport has focused on reaching working-class women because we know that they are the most under-served in terms of STEM education and employment opportunities. In Ireland, working class females are significantly less likely to participate in higher level STEM courses while in post primary school than their male counterparts (HEA, 2019) and more affluent girls (Boyle et al., 2022). These young women are also less likely to apply to STEM degree courses (SUSI, 2019). 

    We have developed this intervention as we know that women and girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds face a unique set of barriers that can limit their participation in STEM courses and careers (Christie et al., 2017; Sekuła et al., 2022). 

    History of the STEM Passport for Inclusion  

    In 2020 Dr Katriona O’Sullivan from Maynooth University partnered with the DreamSpace team in Microsoft Ireland, Dr Helena McMahon (MTU), Teen Turn, Accenture, the RDI Hub and Michelle O’Kelly (principal of Mercy Inchicore Secondary School) to build the STEM Passport. We conducted the first pilot with girls from Mercy Inchicore Secondary School which became part of RTE changemaker series.  
    Watch it here

    Since then we have continued to grow exponentially:
    • In 2021, we received our first grant - €300k from Research Ireland Discover grant, alongside the support from Microsoft Dream Space, we were able to roll out the initiative to 1,000 girls across Munster and Leinster.  
    • In 2023, we secured €600k in philanthropy from Microsoft Ireland which was matched by Research Ireland and the Department of Education through the discover grant. The grant of €1.2 million was used to roll the programme out to 5,000 girls across the four provinces of Ireland.  
    • In 2023, we adapted the programme for Transition Year students only, expanding the partnership to Atlantic Technological University (ATU), growing mentoring and establishing the Leaving Cert points pathway in both MTU and MU. 
    • Since 2024, we have raised a further €980k from 14 Industry partners to expand the project and have received matched funding from Research Ireland Discover Programme.

       

    Expanding Our Reach: Upcoming Program Goals (2023-2025)   

    Our vision for the coming years is to extend our reach across all four provinces of Ireland and collaborate with every Transition Year student in each DEIS school. In 2025-2027 we will:  

    • Empower 5,000 girls to obtain a university-accredited STEM qualification within their respective provinces.
    • Develop a DEIS TY work experience programme and offer to 1000 students.
    • Facilitate meaningful mentorship relationships between these 5000 students and accomplished women and men working  
    • Promote more equitable and inclusivity in the new Industries including AI & Construction  
    • Expand to new groups: include working class women and mothers, students in Youth Reach and LCA students  

    STEM Passport Impact: Transforming Futures
    Key Findings and Programme Impact: 

    • Improved STEM Awareness and Confidence: Surveys conducted with over 5,000 participants revealed notable increases in students’ STEM awareness and confidence. For example, only 28% of students knew a woman working in STEM before participating; post-programme, this figure rose to 92%. This awareness shift is crucial in breaking down stereotypes and reshaping students' aspirations. 
    • Bridging the Socioeconomic Gap: Surveys conducted with over 5,000 participants revealed notable increases in students’ STEM awareness and confidence. For example, only 28% of students knew a woman working in STEM before participating; post-programme, this figure rose to 92%. This awareness shift is crucial in breaking down stereotypes and reshaping students' aspirations. 
    • Positive Influence of Mentorship: Mentorship feedback revealed a heightened awareness of their unconscious biases and a re-evaluation of their preconceptions about who can excel in STEM, reinforcing the programme’s broader impact on promoting equality in STEM. 
    • Broadening Mentor Perspectives and Awareness: Surveys conducted with over 5,000 participants revealed notable increases in students’ STEM awareness and confidence. For example, only 28% of students knew a woman working in STEM before participating; post-programme, this figure rose to 92%. This awareness shift is crucial in breaking down stereotypes and reshaping students' aspirations. 
    • Increased STEM Intentions and Career Aspirations: Post-programme analysis showed substantial increases in participants’ desire to pursue STEM careers. Students reported feeling that STEM fields were accessible to them, a change linked directly to programme participation. 

    Collaborative Partnerships Fueling STEM Progress 

    Microsoft Ireland (Education and Dreamspace), the RDI Hub, Munster Technological University, Teen Turn, and Mercy Inchicore collaborated to create this program. With support from these partners, the Research Ireland Discover award, and the Department of Education, we've aligned STEM qualifications with essential career skills.

    Our mentoring program has built a network of 1100 mentors from 180 companies who champion equality and diversity in STEM. This success stems from our shared vision and dedicated support.

    Collaboration is at the heart of STEM Passport for Inclusion. Led by Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan, we work closely with industry and education leaders like Dr. Kevin Marshall (Microsoft Education Ireland), Liam Cronin (RDI HUB), Professor Helena McMahon (Munster Technological University) and Professor Jacquline McCormack (ATU).

    In 2024 our strategic partnerships have grown, including the Construction Industry, Banking, Technology, Engineering, Finance...