Unboxing Manufacturing: STEM for all at Our Lady’s Hospital School

Co-creation workshop with teachers from OLHS

Project Year: 2021

Funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme

Unboxing Manufacturing was a pioneering initiative designed to make STEM education more inclusive and accessible for young learners undergoing long-term medical treatment. Delivered in collaboration with Our Lady’s Hospital School (OLHS) at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, the project provided enriching STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experiences to students unable to attend traditional classrooms.

About the Project

Recognising the educational and emotional challenges faced by children living with chronic health conditions, the project aimed to create meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities tailored to the hospital environment. The initiative focused on sparking curiosity, boosting motivation, and building confidence through engaging, creative exploration of manufacturing concepts.

Programme Highlights

- - Co-Creation with Educators

The project was co-designed with OLHS teachers to ensure activities aligned with students’ abilities, energy levels, and learning needs within the hospital setting.

- - Custom STEAM Kits and Workbooks

A series of pedagogical kits and activity books were developed to introduce core ideas in manufacturing, product development, and engineering. The materials were carefully crafted to be safe, accessible, and inclusive, supporting a wide range of student needs—including those with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges.

- - Multi-Partner Collaboration

The programme was delivered by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), in partnership with I-Form (SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing) and Confirm (SFI Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing), combining research expertise with human-centered design.

Key Challenges Addressed

- - Designing activities suitable for a clinical environment, ensuring all materials met safety standards for immunocompromised patients.
  - Creating low-energy, high-interest activities that supported learning without overwhelming students.
  - Ensuring accessibility and adaptability, including for children with special needs or limited mobility.

Impact

By bringing manufacturing education directly into the hospital classroom, Unboxing Manufacturing opened new learning pathways for students who are often excluded from mainstream STEM programmes. The initiative offered not just educational value, but also joy, creativity, and a welcome distraction from the challenges of hospital life.