Teachers and schools are being encouraged to register for free STEM experiences in the Microsoft Dream Space in Belfast.
Originally launched in Dublin by Microsoft Ireland in 2018, Dream Space aims to prepare young people for the future of work through experiences centred on digital fundamentals including AI, robotics and computer science.
In August 2022 the Microsoft led project launched in the north, partnering with the Odyssey to open an educational hub at W5 LIFE.
Since launching Dream Space has engaged with more than 300,000 young people and aims to reach “every student across the island of Ireland”.
Microsoft Dream Space Lead Amanda Joliffe said all the events and resources are free of charge and available to all schools.
“One of the myths that we have to bust when we arrange these events is that it is not just for Microsoft users, although we are Microsoft Dream Space, our remit is to ensure that we are addressing those STEM skills gaps and those gaps we are seeing in other areas like diversity,” explained Amanda.
“To do that we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to engage with us and so we try to reduce all those barriers, so every school can engage, they don’t have to use Microsoft technology to engage.”
Amanda is encouraging teachers and schools to register for the free Dream Space field trips at W5 LIFE which are available to upper primary, post-primary, or shared education pupils.
“Students can expect very hands-on, immersive experience, where they get to meaningfully engage with digital technology. That includes things like computer science, robotics, AI, cyber security,” she said.
“It’s all very hands-on learning, it’s practical based and it’s very active learning, and they won’t just learn about the technologies, it’s also about developing critical skills.
“We focus a lot on critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving and decision making. Things we talk a lot about in education but we might not still see them as much as they need to be there for young people as the future.
“So we try and model that so teachers as well can see how this works and hopefully get a bit of inspiration as to how they can bring back these skills to their schools.”
Amanda stressed that all the tasks young people engage with during their time at Dream Space are developed with a focus on the existing curriculum.
“So we take concepts that they will probably learn about anyway but we bring in a more future based look at it,” she added.
“Because digital technology is permeating every area now, it’s very easy for us to give these very real world examples and that’s our whole approach to STEM. It’s real world challenges that allow students to engage with in a meaningful way and create solutions using digital technologies.”
Microsoft has also announced that it is launching its Dream Space Ambassador Programme for the new school year, allowing schools to nominate a group of up to 10 pupils. It is open to students in Primary 6/7 and 4th/5th year.
Amanda says the ambassadors, which are selected by each participating school will receiving training on “all areas of digital technology” which they can then share with their wider communities.
“They are leaders in their school community, so they go out and run things like lunchtime coding clubs, or they support their teachers in different ways. They also bring in the elderly one of the areas of training is supporting the elderly with digital skills,” she added.
Beyond its physical Dream Space hub in Belfast and Dublin and its Dream Space Ambassador Programme, Microsoft has also launched new initiatives including Dream Space Live programme, as well as a Minecraft teacher academy.
