ESB: Invested in Northern Ireland’s next generation
Anyone with young kids in their life knows: when it comes to mind-boggling questions, a child’s curiosity knows no bounds. Why are sugary foods more appealing than healthier ones? Which household pet carries the most bacteria? And why do fish not get squashed at the bottom of the ocean?
These are just some of the head-scratchers explored by the young participants of ESB Science Blast, delivered by the RDS. This free, non-competitive educational programme for pupils in primary school Key Stage 2 gets the whole class involved in investigating the science behind a simple question. Each group is paired with an expert in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), who meets them at one of three showcase events in Belfast, Dublin, or Limerick to hear about their project and share positive feedback with them.
At its core, ESB Science Blast is about empowering the next generation to thrive – helping children at this formative age build crucial 21st century skills, including the five Cs of communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. ESB has been title sponsor since 2019, with the ambition of equipping young people with the capabilities needed to succeed in the future.
One STEM expert who has attended in previous years is ESB’s Northern Ireland Regional Manager, Brian Hegarty: “ESB Science Blast is a unique and very special initiative,” he comments. “It makes STEM fun and exciting, yet it also fulfils a serious and important role. Our ability to interpret the world around us and find new solutions is crucial for society as we tackle major challenges like climate change. Participating in ESB Science Blast gives children first-hand experience in asking those big questions, and finding the answers for themselves using scientific methods.”
Supporting STEM at primary-level
The enquiry- and problem-based learning promoted and facilitated by ESB Science Blast is fundamental in education from an early stage. Focusing on STEM in primary school fosters an interest and skillset that build a strong foundation for success in these subjects at second- and third-level education. 98 per cent of primary school teachers who participated in the 2023 edition of ESB Science Blast reported that it “increased students’ confidence in STEM”, while 96 per cent said that taking part “enhanced the science and maths curriculum in the classroom”.*
As Hegarty explains: “The programme’s resources and supports complement STEM teaching and learning in schools, while giving children a sense of what is possible and how they can make a difference.”
Fostering the skills to deliver net zero
By sponsoring Science Blast, ESB supports the creation of a diverse talent pool, opening young eyes to career opportunities in STEM. Participation in the programme also encourages children to become engaged in the world around them, capable of making decisions to tackle global challenges like climate change. ESB’s ambition is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, and the organisation is growing its infrastructure and services to make this happen across its three core markets of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.
“Delivering on our strategy depends on people – so it is vital to invest in the next generation of STEM professionals.”
“This sponsorship is intrinsically linked with that ambition,” comments Hegarty. “Delivering on our strategy depends on people – so it is vital to invest in the next generation of STEM professionals.”
ESB Science Blast Belfast
ESB Science Blast is fast becoming a firm fixture in school calendars across Northern Ireland. In 2024, more than 1,000 pupils and their teachers travelled to the Belfast event from over 30 primary schools – from Belfast and Portstewart to Ballygowan, Crumlin, and Derry-Londonderry. Forty projects were on display examining questions ranging from ‘how clean is our local river?’ to ‘why do dogs see things differently to humans?’
ESB has engaged with schools directly to encourage classes to get involved. For example, it organised a science workshop with broadcaster and scientist Phil Smyth at Cumber Claudy PS in Derry-Londonderry to kickstart their project. ESB STEM expert Joseph Kelly of Coolkeeragh Power Station was on hand for advice, as the children were led through science experiments to spark their curiosity. The result: some thought-provoking queries worthy of further exploration – after all, who hasn’t asked themselves which chemical reaction causes the loudest pop?
Beyond simply answering their questions, the ultimate value of participating in ESB Science Blast is what children learn along the way. Getting excited about science, developing fundamental research and problem-solving abilities, and working together with their classmates to find solutions to shared challenges – these are the skills that can prepare them for life in the 21st century, while opening a future full of possibilities in STEM and beyond.
ESB Science Blast Belfast will take place on 3 June at ICC Belfast. The deadline for project submissions is 14 March 2025. To learn more visit esbscienceblast.com.
*Results based on responses from 240 teachers who participated in ESB Science Blast 2023 events.
W: www.esb.ie
