Eoin Gill and Dr Sheila Donegan, the duo behind CALMAST (Centre for the Advancement of Learning in Mathematics, Science and Technology), have been selected as Irish Ambassadors for the International Day of Mathematics (IDM).
This prestigious appointment reflects their commitment to promoting mathematics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education across Ireland.
Global recognition
UNESCO officially declared IDM on the 40th session of the general conference in November 2019. The first official celebration of IDM took place on March 14, 2020, and now, five years later, Ireland is represented on a global level by two of SETU’s foremost advocates for maths and education.
30 years of CALMAST
For over three decades, Eoin and Sheila have been inspiring young minds through their initiatives at CALMAST. Under their leadership CALMAST has become one of Ireland’s leading STEM educational organisations dedicated to #STEM4All by fostering partnerships with local schools, communities and industry.
Maths Week Ireland
Their work has played a pivotal role in shaping the STEM landscape in Ireland.
As co-directors of CALMAST, Eoin and Sheila created Maths Week Ireland, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in October 2025.
This festival brings together over 400,000 participants each year to explore the joy and power of mathematics.
Impact
CALMAST are involved in a variety of initiatives and events, such as the South East Engineering Festival, the South East Science Festival, the Wexford Science Festival and STEM Kilkenny.
Funded by Research Ireland and supported by SETU, South East County Councils and industry, 2024 saw the delivery of an incredible 314 science-themed events for these festivals in just one week.
CALMAST continues to build momentum towards the 30th anniversary of Maths Week Ireland, which will see new projects and partnerships aimed at engaging audiences in fresh and exciting ways. Congratulations to Eoin and Sheila and best of luck to the team in delivering a series of successful events throughout 2025 and beyond.