STEAM initiative helps earn Offaly County Council an award nomination
Offaly County Council has been nominated for a collaboration and leadership award at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards, which take place later this month.
The council is in contention for the 'Collaboration and Leadership Initiative Award' at the event, which will be held in Dublin's Royal Convention Centre on February 17.
This follows on from Offaly County Council separately being shortlisted for the ‘Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year’ award under the 2024 Green Awards programme.
The All Ireland Community & Council Awards recognise and celebrate community and councils working together.
Speaking at the announcement of Offaly County Council's nomination, its Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney, said it was "innovating and transforming through a range of business, community, and educational initiatives, and the VEX Robotics Competition is just one of these initiatives.
"Our Council’s STEAM-led (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths) education programme, the first in the Midlands, sees students engage with companies who use robotics in their business, and it builds on Offaly’s strong heritage in science and engineering," she said.
"Our STEAM Educational Officer, Dean Hodge, works with all our schools and we are delighted to be the first Local Authority to have someone working full-time in this role."
Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, acknowledged the support received in delivering this initiative, noting, "We are delighted to have support in delivering this programme in collaboration with Munster Technological University, Local Enterprise Office Offaly, Offaly County Council Library Service, and Engineering & Information Technology Departments.
"Other partners include Primary and Post Primary Schools in Offaly, Department of Rural and Community Development, Department of Education and Skills, Offaly Local Development Company, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, as well as Athlone and Laois Education Centres."
Ray Bell, Broadband Officer, and STEAM innovator with Offaly County Council confirmed “The Council’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) Robotics Programme is in all primary and secondary schools in Offaly, and each year over 2,000 students compete in the VEX Robotics Competition.
"Offaly County Council is investing in future generations by giving them the skills required for jobs, which may not be considered yet.
"Students who are developing their STEAM skills are more likely to invent, build, drive, and innovate future technologies that can benefit their lives and communities.
"This programme gives children as young as five years old their first opportunity to gain experience about engineering and robotics while having fun."
The winner of the 'Collaboration and Leadership Initiative Award' at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards will be announced on February 17.
More details about the awards are available from www.lamaawards.ie