Adopt a School

Building Lasting School–Industry Partnership

For businesses and Primary schools

What Is the Adopt a School Programme?

The Adopt a School initiative is a key programme aimed at strengthening the STEM talent pipeline by identifying and supporting primary schools that are outside the current network of schools benefiting from STEM industry partnerships to ensuring early exposure to STEM education and opportunities.

Adopt a school’s primary focus is to

Provide Early engagement that targets students at the beginning of their educational journey to spark interest in STEM
Ensure Equity and Inclusion by reaching underserved or overlooked schools to bridge gaps in access to STEM resources.
Encourage Industry Collaboration: by enabling companies to “adopt” schools by connecting with resource providers that can bring key resources, workshops, and real-world exposure to these students

GET INVOLVED SCHOOLS

GET INVOLVED BUSINESS

Why Take Part

Aims to build a diverse and inclusive STEM pipeline from an early age.

Enhances teacher support through training and resources.

Provides students with role models and real-world STEM applications.

Strengthens community ties between schools and industries in the region.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

How It Works

STEM South West, in collaboration with BPCI (Skillnet) and the Department of Education, have identified several schools across the Cork and Kerry region. Of these, eight schools have expressed a having officially signed up to take part in this exciting new programme. Of these, eight schools have expressed an interest in taking part in this exciting new programme.

STEM South West will offer member companies the opportunity to adopt one of the eight identified schools, and will work with our STEM education resource partners — Designer Minds, Junior Achievement Ireland, and STEAM Education, to bring engaging STEM learning experiences directly into the classroom. Each of our partners have put together different options that companies can review and determine their path forward. Each of the partners have highlighted the costs associated and the number of volunteers from companies that would be needed to supporting the adoption of the school, all of which are included as separate documents.

High-quality learning

Our Education Partners

Designer Minds

Offering creative, hands-on workshops in coding, robotics, engineering, and design for children aged 6 to 12.

STEAM Education

Known for their flagship Engineering-in-a-Box programme, bringing practical engineering challenges like building bridges and prosthetic arms into classrooms.

Junior Achievement Ireland

A volunteer-led organisation linking education with industry through curriculum-aligned programmes in STEM, entrepreneurship, and life skills

Get Involved

Across Cork and Kerry, schools that joined Adopt a School have seen remarkable transformations.
One rural school designed and coded their own robots. Another built scale models of bridges after a site visit to a local engineering firm. Teachers report increased confidence and enthusiasm among pupils, and businesses speak of renewed purpose as they watch their investment ignite real change.

Whether you’re a business looking to make a difference, or a school eager to enhance STEM learning, Adopt a School offers a way to take action.

For Schools

Register your interest for the upcoming year and tell us about your current STEM activities. We’ll match you with a company that can help you grow your resources and opportunities.

GET INVOLVED SCHOOLS

For Businesses

You can adopt a school for a full academic year, providing funding, mentorship, or access to facilities. We’ll guide you through every step, from initial introductions to activity delivery.

GET INVOLVED BUSINESS