Driving STEM in the Midlands: local authorities leading a regional transformation

Across Ireland, local authorities have traditionally played only a limited role in education. Yet in the Midlands, a region navigating significant economic and social change, the four county councils of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath have shown what is possible when local government works together with a shared purpose. Supported by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund 2021-2027 and strengthened further by Midlands Ireland’s Pathway to Transition funding, which has helped accelerate regional collaboration and innovation, the region has built one of the most ambitious and inclusive STEM programmes in the country. It is opening doors for learners, strengthening digital confidence and helping communities prepare for a changing economy.

The “Driving STEM in the Midlands” initiative has already earned national recognition, receiving the Local Authority Innovation Award at the Excellence in Local Government Awards in November 2025, followed by the National Impact Award at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards in February 2026. As Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, the lead authority on the programme, explains, “As a region deeply impacted by the green transition, it has been essential for our councils to work together and innovate for our communities, inspiring the next generation and ensuring they have opportunities here within the Midlands.” These awards reflect the leadership shown by the local authorities and the real difference the programme is making in classrooms, community spaces and families across the region.

A regional programme with national significance

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund 2021–2027, the Midlands STEM programme is the first of its kind in Ireland. Each of the four local authorities now has a dedicated STEM Engagement Officer, ensuring that every county, whether urban or rural, has access to the same expertise, support and opportunities.

The scale of the programme is remarkable. More than 280 primary and secondary schools now take part in STEM activities, with over 25 different programmes running across the region. These include VEX Robotics, STEM Passport for Inclusion, DreamBig, Microsoft DreamSpace, Ericsson INFUSE, Code4Fun, First Lego League and the Early Pathways Second Level programme. Thousands of students engage with these initiatives each year, many experiencing robotics, coding or digital creativity for the first time.

This regional model, driven by local authorities and delivered in partnership with schools, industry and community organisations, ensures that no county is left behind. It is a practical example of how local government can work together to deliver something far greater than any one council could achieve alone.

Building digital futures through local leadership

The Midlands STEM programme was created in response to the region’s changing economic landscape. As traditional industries declined, the need for digital skills and new opportunities became increasingly clear. Local authorities recognised that supporting communities through this transition meant investing in people, especially young people, so they could thrive in a digital and green economy.

The programme’s aims are simple but powerful:

• to spark curiosity and confidence in STEM
• to ensure every learner has access to opportunity
• to build a strong pipeline of digital talent for the region

These aims come to life through the programmes now embedded across the Midlands. The award-winning VEX Robotics initiative, introduced by Offaly County Council, has grown into a regional success story. Students aged seven to seventeen design, build and code robots, learning teamwork, creativity and problem solving along the way. Midlands teams have excelled nationally and internationally, with several travelling to the VEX World Championships in the United States.

The STEM Passport for Inclusion, led by Longford County Council, is another standout achievement. This pioneering programme gives Transition Year students a university-accredited module and the chance to earn fifty bonus CAO points for STEM courses in Maynooth University, TUS and MTU. Initially focused on girls and DEIS schools, it is now expanding to include boys and additional schools, ensuring that more young people can access higher education pathways.

Teacher training has also been a priority. Through a partnership with ATU Atlantic Technological University, thirty six teachers have completed a Higher Diploma in Computer Science, enabling nineteen post-primary schools in the region to offer Computer Science at Leaving Certificate level.

Inclusion at the heart of the programme

A defining strength of the Midlands STEM initiative is its commitment to inclusion. Local authorities have ensured that programmes are accessible to learners of all abilities and backgrounds, with a strong focus on neurodiverse inclusion and gender equality.

In Laois, a four-week STEM programme for the ASD unit at St Joseph’s National School introduced robotics, rocket science and astronomy. Parents spoke about the joy of seeing their children, including those who are nonverbal, engage with telescopes and robots, showing new confidence and curiosity. Similar initiatives in Offaly and Westmeath have supported adults with disabilities, ASD-focused robotics sessions and inclusive library-based STEM camps.

The region has also celebrated the achievements of young women in STEM. The Steminists, an all-girls robotics team from Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, made history in 2025 as the first all-girls Irish team to compete at the VEX IQ World Championships in Dallas, winning the prestigious Judges Award. Their success has inspired younger students and shown what is possible when girls are given the space and support to lead.

DreamSpace, delivered in partnership with Microsoft, has further expanded access to digital learning, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities. Students across the Midlands have taken part in hands-on sessions that introduce coding, robotics and digital storytelling, helping them see themselves as future creators and innovators.

A model of collaboration for a changing region

The Midlands STEM programme is built on strong regional co-operation. Through the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan and the Midland ICT Network, a triple helix model has been embedded, bringing together local authorities, education providers and industry partners. This structured approach, where government, academia and enterprise work in close alignment, ensures that programmes are not only collaborative but strategically connected to the region’s long-term economic transformation. It also strengthens the region’s capacity to respond to the priorities of the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund 2021–2027.

Looking ahead

The Midlands STEM programme is more than a collection of initiatives. It is a long-term investment in people. It is helping children discover new interests, giving teachers the tools they need to support modern learning, and creating pathways to education and employment that simply did not exist a few years ago. It is reducing isolation, supporting inclusion and giving families hope for the future.

Most importantly, it shows the vital role local authorities can play in shaping regional development. Through collaboration, leadership and the support of the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund 2021–2027, the Midlands has created a model that is both innovative and deeply rooted in community needs. It is a programme that ensures the region is not only prepared for the future but actively shaping it.