TikTok, in partnership with Midlands Science and in association with Science Week, recently hosted the TikTok STEM Creative Labs in Portlaoise last week.
This was an interactive event for secondary school students and the start of Science Week activities in the midlands region.
The event saw teenagers aged 16 plus from across the Midlands lean in to #StemTok by participating in a series of interactive STEM activities at TikTok’s bespoke STEM Creative Labs in Portlaoise.
The event aimed to connect young people with STEM subjects and was co-hosted and supported by popular TikTok Creators, Shanice Griffin, Protein Bor and Mark the Science Guy.
The partnership with Midlands Science, a recipient of TikTok’s Digital Future Fund which is supported by Rethink Ireland, follows the successful launch of TikTok’s dedicated STEM feed earlier this year in Ireland and across Europe.
In Ireland specifically, since the STEM Feed launch, TikTok STEM content in Ireland, has grown by more than 35%.
More than 25% of teens in Ireland are engaging with the feed every week Additionally, last week, TikTok announced that the STEM Feed is now turned on by default for all users in Ireland.
“We are delighted to be working with TikTok to bring this immersive experience to the midlands as part of our Science Week activities,” Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said.
“Engaging with science is all about providing experiences which build curiosity, confidence and creativity in our young people.”
Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital Transformation and Company Regulation also spoke, saying:
“I am delighted to see TikTok partnering with Midlands Science to boost STEM education in Ireland as part of its overall investment in STEM.
“Collaborations such as this, which bring together industry, academia and government, are essential to our national digital agenda and will help to strengthen our position as global leaders in technology and research.
“The STEM industry is an exciting career field and it is so important that the multinationals which invest here play their part in promoting the accessibility of the careers, in turn inspiring the next generation of innovators and securing our digital future.”
Dr Nikki Soo, Safety and Well-being Public Policy Lead for Europe, TikTok also commented:
“TikTok remains committed to providing a platform that is not only entertaining but also educational, offering young people across Ireland the opportunity to explore and learn about the world of STEM.
“Since we launched the STEM feed earlier this year, the growing #STEMTok community has showcased the power of TikTok in making STEM accessible, fun, and relevant to young audiences across Ireland.
“In Ireland, by partnering with local organisations, such as Midlands Science, and hosting the TikTok STEM Creative Labs, we are building a vibrant online community centred around curiosity, innovation, and learning.”
