Microsoft Dream Space Engages 300,000 Young People in Digital Skills

At the second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held in Dublin to mark the end of the school year, Microsoft announced that it has engaged 300,000 young people and teachers in its immersive Microsoft Dream Space STEM experience, which has been designed to help young people pursue their interest in STEM and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future career choices.
This important milestone comes just 18 months after the company pledged to provide almost 1,000,000 students and their teachers across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to develop their digital and AI skills.
Over the past year, the company has introduced a suite of new programmes, which has helped to broaden the reach of Microsoft Dream Space. The company joined forces with RTÉ Learn to present Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves - a series exploring the evolution of AI, which enabled primary and post-primary students to develop their AI literacy.
The Microsoft Dream Space hub in Leopardstown also hosted the largest 'Capture the Flag' cybersecurity event for post-primary school students in Ireland, which sought to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
To address inequalities in accessing STEM careers among post-primary students in socially disadvantaged communities, Microsoft Ireland, together with Maynooth University, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Department of Education, expanded the STEM Passport for Inclusion initiative nationwide with the ambition to engage a further 5,000 students.
The second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held at One Microsoft Place this week brought together over 400 students from rural areas to demonstrate the many ways in which their digital skills can help to solve some of today's sustainability challenges.
Other Microsoft Dream Space innovations introduced within the past 12 months include the expansion of the Dream Space Ambassador and Dream Space LIVE programmes, the launch of the Dream Space Minecraft Teacher Academy, the relaunch of the Dream Space Digital Academy and the rollout of bespoke Dream Space events for people with disabilities.
The continued expansion of Microsoft Dream Space builds on Microsoft's recent commitment to help 'Skill Up Ireland' by providing people of all ages, experiences and ambitions with the opportunity to develop their AI fluency and skills.
James O'Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice-President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: "As part of our commitment to Skill Up Ireland for the era of AI, we're incredibly proud to have engaged 300,000 young people from across this island in our Microsoft Dream Space experience.
"With digital technology transforming our lives, work, and education, it's crucial that every student, regardless of socio-demographics, can engage in STEM learning as early as possible and prepare for our AI future. That's why 18 months ago, we committed an additional €3 million investment in our innovation and education hub, Microsoft Dream Space, over four years.
"As a result, we've been able to significantly expand our Dream Space programming and introduce new innovations to broaden its reach and impact. The significant increases in STEM interest and confidence that we're seeing as a result, particularly among girls and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlight the power of the programme.
"Through the continued growth of Microsoft Dream Space, I'm confident that we can provide every student on the island of Ireland with the chance to engage in STEM and AI learning and empower the next generation of digital leaders."
Speaking about her experience of the Dream Space Student Ambassador programme, Isobel Fay, a student from Our Lady of Mercy Convent School in Booterstown, said:
"Since taking part in the Dream Space Ambassador programme, I've learned so much about new technologies like AI and how they can be used to solve different problems in society. All the training ...