Laois “STEM Stars” Initiative Brings Inclusive Science Learning To Autism Classes

Wednesday, 24 June 2026 13:22

Seanie Morris led the activities.

A recent event in Laois brought together primary school autism classes for STEM activities, culminating in a celebration of STEM engagement led by young, aspiring engineers of the future.

The project entitled “STEM Stars” was a collaboration between Laois County Council’s STEM Engagement Team and Laois Education Support Centre.

Six schools with autism classes were selected from expressions of interest, allowing their autistic pupils to experience immersive and engagement in STEM tailored to their abilities.

Those schools were: Clonenagh National School, Mountrath; Tobar an Leinn National School, Raheen; Gaelscoil Phortlaoise; Our Lady’s Meadow National School, Durrow; Rath National School; and Holy Family Senior School, Portlaoise.

The STEM activities were created and led by Laois County Council’s STEM Engagement Officer, Mr. Seanie Morris.

Mr Morris says “We felt that we could add a little extra value to a typical school day in these excellent ASD classes, celebrating STEM with autistic children and accommodate their neurodiverse abilities by experiencing space rocket science, robot programming and game controller coding.

“It is important that STEM is as inclusive as possible, and while we have been doing some great work with neurodiversity in Laois communities in Laois County Council, to team up with Laois Education Support Centre and their supported schools gave us a chance to widen the catchment of STEM among children with special educational needs.”

The children and SNA's got to learn all about Pop Rocket Launching, where they got to design and build a space rocket using card and paper in a creative arts-and-crafts activity, then explore basic chemistry by triggering a reaction that sends the rocket popping off the table.

VEX 123 Programming, which required using a VEX 123 “puck” robot to code movement around an arena or floor space, navigating obstacles while responding in real time with sounds and colour changes.

Micro:bit Coding – program a Micro to create interactive features such as Rock Paper Scissors, or to switch display icons and play MIDI sounds when specific buttons are pressed or motions are detected.