Layla Geraghty is a fifth year student at Trinity Comprehensive School, Dublin, where computer science is her field of interest. She shares the student perspective on the STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme, which is backed by the Construction Industry Federation
For Layla Geraghty the STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme heralded a transformation in her approach to studies. She recalls over a year ago now, the day she was due to go in to school to learn about the STEM Passport for Inclusion for the first time.
“I was in such a bad mood and I did not want to go,” she says. “I was begging to stay home.” What followed was a complete turnaround. “I ended up just doing it and then it took a complete 180. Computer science, now, is something I would really love to get into.”
Since completing her final session in December 2024 and graduating earlier this year, Layla has discovered a genuine passion for coding and game design.
“I love doing the code and everything. I love typing it all out,” she says. “Once you get the hang of it, it’s really relaxing. Then getting to see it run, it just looks like it’s made of words, and then it runs this whole thing. I love the feeling of trying so hard to do code and then it running absolutely.”
As part of her assignments, Layla designed a smart charger that turns itself off to prevent overcharging and reduce electricity use. She also explored game design, an area she hopes to pursue further.
“You get to apply your code and knowledge and then create your whole thing from scratch. Design a whole game, a whole world. I love games and everything about that.”
The programme involved 24 hours of sessions and 100 hours of independent study. For Layla, the academic challenge was matched by something equally valuable, a whole new learning environment. She found the transition from school to college level learning transformative.
“You’re getting treated like a college student,” she says. “You feel the level of maturity and respect compared to being a secondary school student. You’re getting treated more like a peer
by the lecturers rather than someone below them,” she adds.
“It just makes you want to do better,” she says. “Even if you have no interest in STEM, it’s a little taste of what college is like. It makes you think, I’d actually love to go to college instead of straight into a job.”
Her advice to other students is simple and straightforward. “Whether you think you’re going to like STEM or not, just do it. It’s such a good experience. It’s so fun and so interesting. Anybody who has the opportunity should just take it and go for it.”
Layla Geraghty’s STEM Passport Qualification is: Introduction to 21st Century STEM Skills (Level 6 – 5 ECTS).
