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Faculty of Science & Health

(L-R) Rachel Iredale (Research Ireland), Tracey Donnery (Skillnet Ireland), Bernard Carparo (Semi Europe) and Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (DCU) at the STInt graduation event Photo: Damien Eagers

Class of 2025 teachers graduate from STEM Teacher Internship (STInt) Programme

22/09/2025

STInt Graduation September 2025

25 out of the 61 teachers who participated in the STEM Teacher Internship programme (STInt) this summer received certificates of completion at a graduation ceremony at Dublin City University

The STInt class of 2025 were formally recognised at a ceremony on Dublin City University's Glasnevin campus on Saturday 20 September.

Of the 61 teachers graduating from the programme, 26 were from Dublin City University. While the programme is a DCU-led initiative, there were 35 teachers across partnering universities University of Galway, University College Cork, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, and Maynooth University also graduating.

The STInt programme supports primary and secondary teachers to participate in a three-month internship with host organisations from across private industry, the public sector and NGO organisations. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the programme running and to date over 70 hosts have participated, hosting over 320 student teachers.

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (L) and Dr Eilish McLoughlin (R) with the STInt graduates in the Solas room of DCU's U student centre Photo: Damien Eagers

Dr Eilish McLoughlin, STInt Director congratulated the participants and said

“For a decade now this programme has provided STEM teachers with immersive learning experiences through internships with host organisations. This empowers teachers with invaluable first-hand experience of STEM roles and careers, that teachers translate to their classroom practices to increase students’ interest in STEM subjects. It’s a real privilege to congratulate this year’s participants on completing the programme and I wish them well in their careers."

(L-R) Shalini Hollingum (Accenture), Bernard Carparo (Semi Europe), Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain (DCU), Rachel Iredale (Research Ireland), Dr Mary Cunneen (UCD), Dr Majella Dempsey (Maynooth University), Tracey Donnery (Skillnet Ireland), Paula Neary (Accenture), Dr Eilish McLoughlin (DCU) Photo: Damien Eagers

STInt - delivering for students

A survey of STInt programme alumni in 2024 found 75% of teachers reported they were active in facilitating after school activities, mostly STEM clubs having participated in the programme; and that 67% reported that their involvement in STEM activities had increased as a result of the STInt internship.

The STEM Teacher Internship Programme is a national initiative that offers paid summer internships to preservice and early-career primary and post primary teachers in Ireland. The STInt team are actively recruiting teachers and hosts for summer 2026 to provide STEM internships to the next generation of teachers across Ireland.

Applications for the 2026 STInt programme is already open for hosts (register interest here) and will open for teachers in January.

STInt is currently supported by the Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning (CASTeL), Skillnet Ireland, Research Ireland and the Department of Education, 30% Club Ireland, and Connecting Women in Technology (CWiT).

You can learn more about the STInt programme at stemteacherinternships.ie