SolidWorks Education in Ireland - First School Visit

I find myself fortunate to be in Dublin today. The purpose is to continue the SolidWorks Rwanda project helping educators achieve their goals to enhance technology education for their country.

What better country than Ireland to be the catalyst for this next generation of Rwandans. The Irish Department of Education organization t4, has opened school doors throughout Ireland to this Rwandan dedication. Having implemented SolidWorks as the technology tool throughout the country in 1800 schools with thousands of trained teachers, the t4 technology and engineering curriculum is one of the best in the world.

Our first visit was to Scoil U? Mhuir ? (Gaelic Spelling), a post primary school in Dunleer County, Louth. Principal Br?d Rocks greeted the us with great hospitality. But it was the students that rose to the occasion, demonstrating their skills in design, manufacturing and problem solving.

For example, the drawing below does not contain all the parts and the dimensions. Has that ever happened to you?

The students must figure out what they have and what they have to design and modify to make a working assembly. Students also need to figure out the materials and the shop process required to be successful.

I also met recent graduates from St Mary’s College and the University of Limerick that used SolidWorks in college and now are using SolidWorks to teach engineering education.

Today, in the US President's speech in Dublin, he referenced Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald as someone who believed in the power of education, someone who believed in the potential of youth, most of all, someone who believed in the potential of peace and who lived to see that peace realized.

The power of education is certainly in the forefront of t4 and these Irish Engineering and Technology students and their teachers. Marie

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Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes

Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.