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Microsoft brought more than 500 students to Dublin to present STEM and AI projects at its Dream Space Showcase for data centre communities. The event involved pupils from 15 schools in West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare.
Held over two days at One Microsoft Place, the showcase featured more than 100 student projects focused on sustainability, inclusion and wellbeing. Ideas included a road safety system for schools, energy-saving devices and a proposal to conserve local water supplies.
The programme is designed for students living near Microsoft's current or proposed data centres in West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare. Schools taking part in the 2025/26 academic year received more than €5,000 in hardware and project funding, including micro:bits, circuitry kits and laptops, along with support from a dedicated Dream Space teacher.
Dream Space, which began in 2018, supports primary and post-primary students and teachers with STEM, digital and AI learning. Microsoft has committed more than €12 million to the programme's development, delivery and expansion in Ireland.
Local focus
The latest version of the initiative targets communities around Microsoft's data centre sites and links classroom work to practical problem-solving. Students follow a structured programme that combines classroom activities, digital learning through Dream Space TV and in-person sessions before presenting their work at the final showcase.
The projects were aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting a broader emphasis on applying technology to social and environmental issues. The showcase also demonstrated how schools are using coding and digital tools in project-based learning.
For Microsoft, the initiative forms part of a wider investment in education linked to its local infrastructure footprint. It has sought to connect its expansion in Irish data centre communities with school-based skills programmes, particularly in coding, digital literacy and artificial intelligence.
Lavinia Morris, General Manager, EMEA Data Centre Operations, Microsoft, said more than 500 students from 15 schools across West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare have developed practical STEM, coding and problem-solving skills through the programme over the past year.
"When Microsoft invests in a community, we want that investment to be felt in ways that matter locally. That means creating opportunities for young people to build skills, confidence and ambition for the future. The Dream Space Showcase for data centre communities is a strong example of that approach in action - supporting students in West Dublin, Fingal and Kildare to explore STEM and AI, apply their learning to real-world challenges, and see what is possible for their future. I was hugely inspired by the ideas and skills that the students showcased through their projects, all of which respond to real challenges they identified in their communities," she said.
School response
The event also highlighted how schools are approaching STEM teaching with additional equipment and external support. Teachers in the programme used the funding and hardware to build class projects that could be developed over the school year and then presented to peers and visitors.
One participating pupil from St Marks SNS in Tallaght described the experience of using technology to address environmental issues.
"I really enjoyed being part of the Dream Space Showcase and learning how we can use technology to help the environment. We worked on ideas to make our community more sustainable, and it was so exciting to see how they can make a change. It made me feel proud and showed me that even small ideas can make a big difference for our planet," said Abhijeet Aradeep.
A teacher from the same school pointed to the practical effect of the classroom support and resources.
"Taking part in the Dream Space programme has been a fantastic experience for our students. The support and hands-on resources provided by Microsoft made it easy to bring STEM learning into the classroom in a really engaging way. Seeing students develop their own ideas - especially around sustainability - has been incredibly rewarding. The Showcase truly brings their learning to life and builds their confidence in what they can achieve through STEM," said Durkin.