Mayo TD meets local pupils at ESB Science Blast

Mayo TD Keira Keogh has attended the ESB Science Blast event in the RDS, Dublin, where she engaged with pupils from Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport.

ESB Science Blast, an RDS-led initiative, is a free educational programme designed to foster child-led investigation and scientific discovery.

This non-competitive initiative actively works to address inequities in STEM education by ensuring equal access for all students, with a commitment to 50/50 gender participation and a strong focus on DEIS schools and Gaelscoileanna involvement.

Since its launch in 2019, ESB Science Blast has engaged over 70,000 primary school pupils from all 32 counties, inspiring young minds to explore the world around them and develop critical future skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and curiosity.

The programme’s positive impact is evident in an external evaluation study conducted by the RDS.

The study revealed that:

71% of pupils reported improved teamwork skills.

86% of teachers observed enhanced presentation skills in the classroom.

65% of pupils expressed a greater interest in pursuing STEM careers.

These findings underscore the vital role ESB Science Blast plays in shaping Ireland’s next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.