More than 1,000 students gathered in Dublin recently for Microsoft’s annual national STEM and AI showcase, as the company announced its Dream Space programme has now reached over 550,000 students across the island of Ireland.
Students from Doonaha NS received the ‘Global Goal’ award for their project which used micro:bits to support children who do not speak English by displaying basic commands and helping to improve communication. Held at One Microsoft Place over four days, the Dream Space Showcase brought together students from 45 schools and clubs across 11 counties to present innovative projects demonstrating how STEM, coding and AI can help solve real-world challenges.
More than 170 student-led projects were showcased, with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusion and wellbeing. Ideas included a smart polytunnel to support sustainable food growing, an inclusive communication tool for non-verbal students, and a road safety system designed to improve safety on narrow country roads.
The annual Showcase is just one of 14 initiatives that Microsoft Dream Space provides to maximise student engagement. The Dream Space Ambassador programme is one of these initiatives, which equips participating students with the knowledge and skills to become STEM leaders in their local community.
Students from Kilmurry NS, St. Aidan’s NS, St. Flannan’s college and St. Joseph’s community college from Clare were among 2,200 participating student ambassadors across 245 schools and Youthreach centres over the course of the 2025 academic year, bringing STEM learning opportunities to an additional 30,000 students nationwide.
Since its launch in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space has supported primary and post-primary students, as well as their teachers, to develop critical STEM, digital and AI skills. To date, Microsoft has committed more than €12 million in the development, delivery and expansion of the programme to support the development of digital and AI skills amongst Ireland’s future leaders.
Now in its fourth year, the Showcase has become a national platform for students – particularly in rural communities – to apply STEM and AI learning in practical, meaningful ways. Delivered in collaboration with local authorities and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the programme also supports schools as they prepare for the rollout of the new primary curriculum, with its increased focus on creativity, collaboration and problem-solving.
As part of their involvement in Showcase, students complete a structured learning journey combining classroom activities, digital learning through Dream Space TV, and in-person engagement, culminating in the opportunity to present solutions aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre said: “It was inspiring to be amongst the creativity and ambition on display at our fourth annual Dream Space Showcase, and to see the STEM and AI skills students have developed over the past year come to life through their projects. As AI continues to reshape how we live, work and learn, it’s vital that every student has the skills and confidence to thrive in an AI powered economy. Through a structured, year‑long STEM learning journey, the Dream Space programme equips young people with the capabilities they need to navigate and shape our rapidly evolving digital world.
“Since launching in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space has engaged more than 550,000 students across the island of Ireland. Our ambition is to provide every student in Ireland – nearly one million – with the digital and AI skills they will need for the future. To date, we have invested €12 million in the programme, enabling the continued expansion of Dream Space and the development of its programming as part of our broader Skill Up Ireland education and training initiatives.”
To learn more, visit the Microsoft Dream Space website: https://DreamSpace.ie