Our Mission
Our Mission is to develop programmes and events for people of all ages to explore and engage with science in the midlands counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, to encourage young people to consider a career in STEM, and to raise awareness of the value of STEM in our society and economy. As an organisation our ambition is to become the leading model of inclusive, impactful and innovative STEM outreach in Ireland and an example of best practice within the international community.
We believe that the societal value created by engaging as many people as possible from all age groups and social classes in STEM outreach can make a unique and transformative contribution, benefiting all in our community. Through active engagement with STEM outreach people can make more informed choices about education, careers and everyday decisions as consumers and citizens.
Our vision is to increase scientific literacy amongst the general population through creating positive attitudes and awareness of the essential role that science has in our lives across all demographics in the Midlands region.
Key Objectives
- Develop and implement programmes and awareness-raising initiatives designed to increase science capital in the region.
- Develop new programmes targeted at sectors of the market yet to access STEM outreach in a way that is appropriate to their needs.
- Training of stakeholders in a science capital approach.
- Develop a knowledge hub for research and best practice relating to STEM outreach
How The Work of Midland Science Contributes To The Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.
The work of Midlands Science is linked SDG 4 ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning and opportunities. Specially within this SDG 4.4, 4.5 and 4.7. This means focusing on increasing the number of people with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. This is particularly important in the midlands region as the region is currently undergoing huge socio-economic changes driven by necessary decarbonisation measures.
This work also means eliminating discrimination in education by ensuring equal access to the opportunities we provide and this includes people with disabilities, people of different ethnic backgrounds and those in vulnerable situations. It also means linking the outreach work we do with engaged citizenship as STEM outreach isn’t just about education and skills but about building the capacity of all people to engage with the decisions we take throughout life, which demand a certain level of scientific literacy and ability to discern evidence. This is necessary as we all now make decisions as citizens, consumers etc which are vital in our world – climate change, vaccines and biodiversity for example.
All of the work of Midlands Science is focussed on bringing STEM into everyday life and situations and its commitment to sharing how SDG’s are linked to its work shares the same focus. Midlands Science is keen to demonstrate that everyone in society, individuals and groups, large and small can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to showcase how STEM skills and education can make a strong contribution the SDG’s.
