Aoife Raftery
Ireland’s only international female rally driver
Mary O’Donnell
Who attended the I Wish event in Cork in 2017 with Loreto Fermoy
When people think of STEM, they often think of laboratories, coding and engineering — but STEM also powers industries like motorsport, aerospace and modern agriculture.
At I Wish, we’re passionate about showing young women that STEM exists in every part of modern life. Through the I Wish Festival, we inspire secondary school girls to explore opportunities in STEM by connecting them with relatable role models and real-world careers.
STEM role models
We challenge girls to Dream, Dare, Do — to dream big, dare to be different and become something remarkable. We want them to see that the possibilities are endless.
One inspiring example is Aoife Raftery, Ireland’s only international female rally driver. Motorsport is driven by engineering, mechanics, technology and data analysis.
Having studied Construction Management and serving on the Motorsport Ireland Women in Motorsport Commission, she’s an incredible role model for young women considering unconventional STEM careers and proving there’s a place for women in every industry.
We want girls to understand that STEM isn’t one single path
— it’s a gateway to endless opportunities
Another example is Mary O’Donnell, who attended the I Wish event in Cork in 2017 with Loreto Fermoy. Inspired by the speakers and opportunities there, Mary chose higher-level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Applied Maths before studying Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Limerick.
After taking part in NASA’s United Space School programme, she became the youngest and only Irish engineer on the TREK Performance Research Team in the US, working as an aerodynamics engineer while also advocating for women in STEM and sport.
STEM careers beyond the usual path
Sharon Lombard Director of I Wish is a dairy farmer. I also see firsthand how agriculture has become a real-world STEM career. Farming today relies heavily on technology, sustainability, lab testing and data analytics.
Every day involves science, innovation and problem-solving, from monitoring animal health and nutrition to using data and technology to improve efficiency and sustainability. Agriculture has evolved into a career where women can thrive and lead within a positive and supportive community.
We want girls to understand that STEM isn’t one single path — it’s a gateway to endless opportunities. Dream, Dare, Do.
The next I Wish Festival takes place on February 4 at the RDS Dublin, with registration opening on August 15th www.iwish.ie.
