Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) will provide funding of €1.6 million for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) educational and public engagement projects in Ireland in 2015. The funding, supported by the Government and delivered through SFI Discover, will support 39 initiatives designed to encourage participants to develop an active and informed interest and involvement in STEM. SFI Discover promotes the awareness and engagement of the Irish public with STEM through projects, festivals, interactive advertising and television shows. By the end of 2015, it is estimated that over 4.5 million people will have engaged with the various projects. Almost a quarter of a million Euro of the funding (€226,000) has been earmarked for the development of INSIDERS, a new children’s television series focused on STEM. INSIDERS will be made up of half hour shows targeted at 7 to 13 year olds. It will take an entertaining but educational look at events and places loved by kids and will be broadcast on tRTÉ and RTÉ’s digital platforms. In association with the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, €20,271 of the funding is to be invested in a programme focused on engaging hospitalised children in biomedical science and health. BioBoxes is a hospital-based biomedical science based programme for young people and their families. Each BioBox integrates practical science activities with mobile learning applications focused on four STEM themes. Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Mr Damien English TD, described access to a skilled and qualified work force in the STEM area as “a key factor for multinational companies considering creating jobs in Ireland”. “The programmes being funded through SFI Discover will open up the vast range of career opportunities available in STEM sectors to young people. It will future-proof the flow of STEM graduates and ultimately enable Ireland to attract further investment from international companies and to grow and maintain jobs,” he said.