National Computer Science Conference set for Athlone

A national conference to mark Ireland's first-ever Computer Science Week takes place on Thursday of this week, October 13, in Athlone Springs Hotel and will be opened remotely by Education Minister, Norma Foley TD.

The high-profile conference, which takes place from 10am to 3.30pm, is the flagship event of the inaugural Computer Science Week, which is taking place across the country throughout this week. At the conference, a new dedicated computer science website for students, parents and schools will be launched, and a new online Buddy System connecting teachers and schools with their 'buddies' from industry, from other schools and from higher and further education institutions will also be launched.

The keynote address at the conference will be delivered by Lorraine Underwood, an author and senior teaching associate at Lancaster University, and the event will also feature student workshops, exhibitions from industry, and primary and post-primary schools.

The conference is suitable for school leaders, teachers, guidance counsellors, parents, industry representatives and all education stakeholders.

Organised by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) with the support of the Department of Education, the Athlone Conference is seen as the highlight of the week-long series of events which form part of National Computer Science Week,. It is designed to provide students with stimulating, interactive opportunities to ‘taste’ the subject, and provide information to students, teachers, guidance counsellors and parents.

Computer Science became a senior cycle subject in schools in 2018 and is growing in popularity, with 1,604 students sitting the Leaving Certificate Computer Science examination in 2022.

Students at a number of schools in Westmeath, including Athlone Community College and Moate Community School, are currently taking the subject as part of their senior cycle curriculum.

Minister Foley said: “Computer Science is an extremely important part of our offering to students, helping to ensure that they have the skills they need for the modern world.

“I would like to thank the school communities in Westmeath who are pioneering this great work, and the industry partners that are investing their energy, expertise and enthusiasm to inspire not just the next generation of computer scientists, but all students taking the course, who will progress to many other disciplines where a knowledge of computer science will be of great benefit.”

The Minister is encouraging as many students and teachers as possible in Westmeath to take part in the many events which have been organised as part of Computer Science Week in an effort to build on the number of schools where computer science is offered as a subject choice.