More than 4,000 female students attended the 11th annual I Wish Showcase at the RDS on Thursday to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Around 45% of girls cite a lack of access to female role models as a barrier to STEM careers, according to a recent I Wish survey.

A further 60% believe that gender inequality is the biggest barrier preventing them from pursuing careers in STEM, down from 83% in 2021.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened the event, which was the largest I Wish Showcase to date and the first to be attended by students from Northern Ireland.

"I Wish proves that with opportunity, role models and determination, there are no limits to what girls can achieve - breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and building a brighter, more inclusive future for all," said Martin.

Among the 46 speakers at the event were Olympic sprinter Phil Healy, Olympic rower Zoe Hyde, Olympic relay star and Deloitte’s Strategic Project Lead, Claire Dunne, and international rally driver Aoife Rafferty.

More than 30 exhibitors from leading Irish and global companies and organisations showcased exciting STEM career opportunities.

Highlights included the Sport Innovation Hub in collaboration with Sport Ireland’s HER Moves campaign, where students explored how technology is transforming sports through interactive activities like rowing machines, reaction boards and jersey design stations.

The Food Science Hub, led by Carbery, Kerry Group and Dawn Meats, demonstrated STEM’s impact on the food industry with machine learning tools, cheese-making tasks and problem-solving games.

Engineering and construction activities ranged from a Giant Jenga game with Jones Engineering to mini-golf with Regeneron, alongside insights from companies such as Sisk, Crown and Dornan on the evolution of careers in construction.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland also taught students about the role of STEM in business and innovation, and the Podcast Hub, in collaboration with Virgin Media, allowed students to record live podcasts.

I Wish co-founder Caroline O'Driscoll highlighted the significance of providing access to inspiring role models.

"The findings from our most recent annual survey report make it clear that while progress has been made, systemic barriers persist, preventing too many young girls from seeing STEM as a viable career path," she said.

"Collectively, we must give real choices to girls and ensure that they have every opportunity to take their place in the economies of tomorrow.

“At our Showcase, over 4,000 teenage girls get the opportunity to listen to the lived journeys of some amazing female trailblazers.

"This in turn allows them to see what a career in STEM is truly like, understand the variety of careers and pathways available and the positive impact that STEM has on our world.” 

I Wish has engaged with 65,000 students and hosted more than 1,000 speakers since holding its first showcase in 2015.

I Wish co-founder Gillian Keating extended her thanks to the leaders in STEM from pharmaceutical, technology, food, sports and engineering sectors taking part in the event:

“Each year it is magical to watch the ambitions of young girls from across the country expanding in front of our very eyes as they take in all that they can be through careers in STEM," she said.

"We’re so grateful to our partners, both multinational and indigenous, who take part in the showcase demonstrating their commitment to showcasing STEM pathways to the next generation of female leaders and innovators.

“STEM leaders such as Deloitte, Dell Technologies, Merck, Virgin Media, Sport Ireland Her Moves Campaign, Johnson & Johnson, Regeneron and Qualcomm inspire our female talent every day to explore the power of STEM to make a real difference to the world we live in, and for that we thank them.”

In addition to the showcase, I Wish also hosts alumni events; programmes for mentorship and entrepreneurship; internships; externships; campus programmes; and a new I Wish Primary Programme supported by some of the biggest names in the tech, engineering and science worlds. 

Photo: Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness meeting students; with students (l-r) Eden May Minori Nakaba and Sol Sicre from Rockwell College. (Pic: Supplied)