Mary Immaculate College (MIC) marked Engineers Week 2026 with a vibrant programme of hands-on STEM engineering activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and problem-solving among children, families and school communities across the region.
The week-long initiative, delivered through MIC’s CRAFT and Enterprise & Community Engagement (E&CE) Office, ran from 28 February to 6 March and showcased the exciting possibilities of engineering and technology through workshops and interactive events. The programme engaged with more than 1,100 children and adults over the course of the week, marking MIC's largest Engineers Week participation to date.
On Saturday 28 February, Dr Eleanor Walsh, STEM Outreach Manager at MIC’s CRAFT and Dr Maeve Liston, Director of E&CE, presented at the Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI) Conference in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. Their presentation “Building Strong STEAM Foundations: How the New Primary STE Curriculum, Maker Education, and CRAFT Outreach support STEM learning continuity into the Junior Cycle”, explored how these approaches can strengthen STEM learning pathways for students.
Throughout the week, primary school pupils and community groups participated in a range of engaging activities, from designing air-powered cars and exploring wind energy to discovering the science behind weather systems through the lively Crazy Weather Show. The programme also included inclusive outreach initiatives such as STEM sessions for migrant families through the Embracing Diversity, Nurturing Integration Project (EDNIP) English Conversation Group and an after-school STEM club.
Seven schools also received Engineering Packs designed and developed by CRAFT, allowing teachers and children to participate in the activities and experience creative, engaging, hands-on STEAM learning directly in their own classrooms.
Beyond the campus, MIC and CRAFT collaborated with leading industry partners at the annual Explore Engineering Showcase at Shannon Airport, engaging visitors with emerging technologies and hands on demonstrations that highlighted the region’s engineering strengths. Through MIC’s membership on the Explore Engineering Board, CRAFT plays a central role in driving industry–education innovation throughout the Mid-West.
The week culminated with four family-friendly STEM Saturday sessions at CRAFT, where young participants and their parents/guardians explored engineering through creative and digital workshops. There were two special stop motion animation workshops delivered through Irish for Gaelscoil pupils and families, linking the celebration of engineering with Seachatin na Gaeilge, in collaboration with Elaine Dold, Comhordaitheoir Seirbhísí Gaeilge at MIC.
Dr Eleanor Walsh said:
“What always amazes me during Engineers Week is how effortlessly children stepped into the role of an engineer. They design, build and solve problems with such creativity that they often don’t even realise they are doing engineering. That is why the week means so much to us at CRAFT. It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome students and families into a space where everyone could explore new ideas together.”
Commenting on the success of the programme, Dr Maeve Liston said:
“Engineers Weeks is a key event in our calendar, where MIC works in partnership with Engineers Ireland and with a broad range of industries, schools, and community groups across the region. Through the work of CRAFT and our partners, we were delighted not only to welcome schools, families and the wider community onto to the MIC campus, but also to take CRAFT into the heart of communities, creating meaningful experiences that connect creativity, STEM learning and community engagement.”
