Dr. Cathy Corcoran:

I thank the committee for inviting Women in Research Ireland. As everyone has acknowledged, research has shown that girls lose interest in STEM as they get older, between ten and 12 years of age. As Ms Sheridan mentioned, sometimes that relates to peer pressure, lack of support in school or the home, or a lack of a perception of what a career in STEM might look like in the real world, bringing a practical approach to the issue. It is important that we expand that interest in education and employment in STEM and computer science.

As was mentioned earlier, there is employment and growth in this sector. Increasing the likelihood of girls and women pursuing degrees that allow them to fulfil jobs in growth areas in technology and engineering, as Ms Sheridan mentioned, is extremely important. The sooner we start that in primary and secondary education, leading into higher education, the better. As Ms Sheridan outlined in her opening statement, providing teachers with more engaging, hands-on projects that would nurture the interest of all students, both girls and boys, over the course of primary and secondary education, would go a long way to nurturing, sustaining and building that interest in the subject areas, in degrees and in employment opportunities.

The showcasing of STEM mentors and role models to build confidence was mentioned earlier in the open meeting. As Ms Sheridan mentioned, "if you cannot see it, you cannot be it". That was mentioned in the first opening statement.

A final matter which was mentioned in the open meeting and both opening statements by my colleagues is the importance of cultivating inclusive classrooms free of stereotypes and biases for all children and young people. It is essential to deliver equal opportunities for all in an unencumbered classroom environment.