The Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award is now open for entries, and we are inviting schools across Ireland to get involved! If your students have a big idea that could make a difference to their community, now is the chance to put their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills to work!
The Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award challenges children to dream up engineering solutions that can make life better in their communities. In 2025, over 7,000 primary school students participated in the award, and over 130 volunteer engineers, trained through the STEPS programme, visited participating 3rd and 4th classes nationwide to support students’ ideas.
This year marks the ninth year of the STEPS Young Engineers Award. Last year’s winners were third-class pupils from Barryroe National School in Bandon, Co. Cork, who designed the Sole Extender, an ingenious shoe prototype, with a built-in hydraulic lift, to help people safely reach high shelves without the need for stools or ladders.
Participating teachers rate the experience highly, with the STEPS Young Engineers Award consistently ranked as an outstanding experience for students. The programme combines hands-on learning with real-world problem solving, helping students to grow in confidence and creativity and engage with engineering concepts. Supportive facilitators make every session educational and enjoyable, helping students develop their teamwork and critical-thinking skills, as well as enthusiasm for STEM subjects.
How to enter:
Teachers can register from September and submit their students’ projects online or via post in early December. The projects are reviewed by an external panel of judges, with winners announced early in 2027. The top six teams receive trophies and medals, and all students receive certificates for participating. The winners and runners-up receive educational workshops along with some additional goodies.
About the STEPS Young Engineers Award:
The STEPS Young Engineers Award is one of five primary and post-primary engineering initiatives coordinated by Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme. It is funded by the Department of Education and Youth, and industry leaders Arup, ESB, Intel, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Previous winners of the STEPS Young Engineers Award have included projects that aimed to support safety, sustainability and accessibility such as a water safety wristband to help swimmers in difficulty, playgrounds with integrated structures for wheelchair users, and a solar and rain-powered car that aims to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
About Engineers Ireland:
With over 30,000 members, Engineers Ireland is the voice of the engineering profession in Ireland. Engineers Ireland was established in 1835, making it one of the oldest and largest professional bodies in Ireland. Members come from every discipline of engineering, and they range from engineering students to fellows of the profession. For more information, see www.engineersireland.ie.