YOUNG LEARNER SUMMER | 12 TO 17 | ATHLONE STEAM
- Course Dates: Host Family Accommodation: Sat 24th June to Sat 12th August 2023
- Residential Accommodation: Sat 1st July to Sat 12th August 2023.
- Opening Duration: 2 to 7 weeks
- Arrival days: Saturdays and Sundays
- Class sizes: Maximum of 15 (Average is 13)
- Student ages: 12 to 17 years old
- Individuals: Not accepted
Programme Description
Future Learning’s Summer STEAM programme is about much more than incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math into the afternoon activity programme. The STEAM Workshops engage students’ creative and critical thinking skills in multi-sensory interaction with the physical world and help them develop the language to describe those experiences.
Introduction
Athlone, located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, is the perfect location for those who want to experience a truly Irish lively regional town in the heart of Ireland, while still being within easy reach of Dublin Airport.
Athlone, the most recent university town of Ireland, is a historical medieval Irish town located on the beautiful River Shannon. It attracts many tourists and international students and is a busy regional centre for top businesses. Considering that the town centre is only 1.5 hours from Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny, with excellent bus and rail connections, it is also surprising how much more affordable the cost of living is here.
The friendly welcome will be the biggest attraction for our students who are looking for somewhere homely. We know you will be impressed with Athlone and not to mention the FL summer school facilities located at Athlone Community College which is one of the most modern schools in Ireland.
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone
Located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Technological University of the Shannon (formerly Athlone IT) is an award-winning higher education institution with more than 6,000 students throughout the year and one of the newest Universities in Ireland.
TUS Athlone is the leader in the sector in innovation and applied teaching, and a research-led university with an applied, industry-focused offering, world-class research and development. More than €125 million has been invested in its Athlone campus since 2000, ensuring that students benefit from world-class educational facilities.
The outdoor facilities at TUS provide for most sports including an eight-lane IAAF-approved outdoor athletics track which also features a full-size international dimension soccer pitch which is the same size as Dublin’s Croke Park pitch, in the infield area (floodlit), sand-based multi-sport grass training field and 2km floodlit cross country trail.
Afternoon and Evening Activities
Afternoon Activities
As we are located at TUS Athlone, one of the most modern university in Ireland, we like to utilise all the facilities of the campus and we have created a unique afternoon programme which has a strong link with the morning lessons. Sample afternoon workshops which are led by qualified teachers include: Electronics, Science, Baking, Robotics, Photography, Art, Drama and Music + lots more! Afternoon activities take place from 14:00 to 16:20 five times per week, students leave the school at 16:30. One day per week students will remain after school and do an activity in Athlone centre. Students will be collected at an agreed pick up point for approximately 19:00, if staying with a local host family, and walk back to the residence in case of staying at our residential programme.
Evening Activities
In Athlone the majority of host families live outside the town and for this reason we do not ask families to collect after school and bring students into the town again for an evening activity. However for 2023 we are offering one extended afternoon activity per week, finishing at 19:00. Residential students have evening activities each evening. A sample of the evening activities include; Gaelic Sports, Irish Dancing, Karaoke, Table Quiz Bowling, Team Building +more. We do try and have one joint evening activity for residential and host family students such as a disco once every two weeks.
Full-Day Excursions
Athlone is strategically located in the centre of Ireland and it is in a brilliant location for full-day excursions to Galway, Dublin, Sligo, Kilkenny and Belfast. Full-day excursions take place on Saturdays.
On Sundays residential students have a light or local excursion, departing at approximately 12:00 and returning at 17:30.
Accommodation Options
Host Family
Living with one of our Host families in Athlone is a truly amazing experience. You get to stay in a real home where you will be welcomed by family members and looked after for the length of your stay. You’ll get to benefit from your family’s knowledge, gain a unique insight into local Irish culture and discover the true heart of Athlone. You’ll enjoy home cooking, great conversation and an amazing cultural experience. Future Learning is one of the only language schools working in these areas for many years and the quality of host families is very high. We have a large number of wonderful and welcoming host families who are coordinated by our dedicated full time Accommodation Officers.
Residential
The FL Athlone Residence is located at GlenAbhainn, Athlone. Situated beside The Technological University of the Shannon, GlenAbhainn Student Accommodation is a 5 minute walk to the campus. This residence is ideal for our summer students, it is private, spacious, close to the University and offers twin and triple rooms with shared bathrooms. Our Athlone residential option is always in high demand!
Transport to and from School
In Athlone, the host families who do not live in the town centre drive the students to and from school. Typically we can have host families who live anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes outside the town of Athlone. Those within walking distance make their own way to school.
Residential students walk to and from school every morning and it’s approximately 3-5 minutes walking distance to TUS Athlone.
