5*S: Space, Surveyors and Students - Phase 3
Year Awarded
2025
Amount
€229,766.55
- Organisation:Maynooth University (MU)
Project Summary
5*S supports and enthuses post-primary students through workshops on satellites, survey data and STEM careers with priority given to underrepresented groups (gender/social background), improves teacher data literacy and increases teacher confidence. 5*S partners – Maynooth University, Technological University Dublin, Tailte Éireann, Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and Esri Ireland – provide the discipline expertise, the pedagogic experience, the infrastructure support and the volunteer cohort.
Phase 3 advances a highly-successful, national Discover award towards better supporting/enthusing students and teachers about STEM technology:
Strand 1: Schools and Teachers: Maintains the momentum built up over 6 years with continued popular ‘repeat visits’ offering at Transition Year (TY) second level (40,000 students Phase 1/2) and ITE/Teacher Workshops (400 teachers) demonstrating the value of satellite data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their role in achieving the UN SDGs. Phase 3 improves on this through follow-on sessions targeted at 5th Year (commitment already from 17 schools).
Strand 2: STEM Careers and Strategy: Phase 3 better leverages the industry and government/semi state footprint of the SCSI and Tailte Éireann and the track record of success in previous phases has attracted two new partners in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and SOLAS. For the first time 5*S will have a dedicated work package (WP) to support strategy and inform policies on data (e/.g. OCGIO co-developing Public Service Data Strategy 2025-2030), further education, Adult Literacy for Life, Educational Inclusion and Just Transition.