Schools

STEPS supports primary and secondary school students in discovering engineering through a range of engaging educational initiatives. By connecting schools, students, teachers and engineers, STEPS provides hands-on learning experiences that promotes engineering and encourages the next generation of problem-solvers.

Key programmes include:

1. Engineers Week, which brings engineers into classrooms and communities to showcase engineering in action.
2. Young Engineers Award, encouraging primary school students to solve real-world problems through engineering design.
3. Girl Guides Badge, introduce the girls to engineering and familiarise them with the diverse world of the engineer.
4. Engineering Your Future, which helps secondary school students learn about engineering careers and pathways.
5. Nature Engineers, a new initiative focused on sustainability, nature-based engineering and rain garden design for 10 to 12-year-olds.

STEPS initiatives are delivered with support from the Department of Education and industry partners, offering volunteering, sponsorship and outreach opportunities that help inspire the next generation of engineers across Ireland.

The different routes into engineering

STEPS into Engineering

STEPS into Engineering is a dynamic and interactive visual guide that outlines the journey toward a career in engineering. It highlights key milestones - some offering opportunities for deeper exploration, others marking pivotal decision points.

Learn more

Become part of an exclusive funding opportunity

STEPS Programme Sponsorship Opportunities

By partnering with STEPS you can increase awareness of your brand in STEM areas, deliver corporate social responsibility via proven successful programmes, and encourage the next generation of engineers. Get in touch with Roseanne O’Leary, STEPS Team Leader, on 01 665 1340 to learn more about our programmes and to discover the advantages of becoming a STEPS sponsor.

Reach out today

Secondary School Students

Engineering Your Future Virtual Work Experience

STEPS in association with Springpod are delighted to announce that the Virtual Engineering Work Experience is now open for all students aged 13+ on the island of Ireland.

PERSONAL STORIES

An Engineer Like Me

Learn more

Engineers Ireland

STEPS Newsletter

schools

What our STEPS volunteers say

schools

What our STEPS volunteers say

The Young Engineers Award brought engineering to life in our classroom. It gave our pupils the opportunity to think like engineers and solve real-world problems in their community. Each week, our classroom buzzed with excitement, curiosity, and creativity as teams worked together.

Orla Hume, Young Engineers Award, primary school teacher, Bunscoil Fachtna, Co. Cork

The STEPS Young Engineer Programme fostered a mindset of thinking outside the box. Most importantly it encouraged team thinking and collaboration. It made my whole class realise that they can aspire to do anything and that they themselves can overcome problems by engineering solutions.

Niamh Murrary, Young Engineers Award, primary school teacher, Barryroe National School, Co. Cork

I visited my old national school for Engineers Week and it was a brilliant experience. The kids were really engaged and enthusiastic.

STEPS EYF Teacher

We have urgent crises to address - climate, food and housing insecurity - and engineering offers practical tools to help with this. Young people are the future, so they’re the ones who will have to solve future problems. I want to get the students excited about engineering in primary school so that they’re excited to solve problems!

STEPS EYF Teacher

As a female engineer in the Construction sector, I think seeing is believing when showing girls the careers they can have on site. Many young people don't understand that engineering is about teamwork and problem-solving and not sitting in a dark room alone doing hard maths!

STEPS EYF Teacher