Summary of our project entitled: Tackling Educational Disadvantage and promoting inclusion through celebrating culture language and heritage in our schools with a specific emphasis on STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and MathsContext/Background of the projectBeech Hill College is a designated disadvantaged school (DEIS) in Monaghan Town. The school has a growing population of pupils from Lithuania approx 20% pf the school population. In a recent survey 68% of these pupils stated that they 'felt they did not belong at school' These pupils parent's work in low paid jobs and have little or no experience of further education. In response to this School Management has gained the support of the Post-Primary Language Initiative and Beech Hill College now offers the Lithuanian langauage as a subject for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate.The motivation of this project is to tackle the educational disadvantage of these pupils by building relationships between the Irish and Lithuanian pupils, showing these pupils that Beech Hill College values their Language, Culture and Heritage and unltimately undertaking student mobilities with Vilniaus Gabijos Gimnazija, Lithuania. The motivation of the partner school in Lithuania Vilniaus Gabijos Gimnazija is to improve the oral communication and presentation skills of a number of gifted students who they are presently targetting for focus interventions. They have discovered through surveys that these pupils experience anxiety when speaking English in public. Through participating in the various oral presentations during the student mobilities their knowledge of, and confidence in speaking English will undoubtedly improve. Objectives of the projectThe exchange of good practices whilst endeavouring to:1. identify the causes of educational disadvantage.2. build relationships between teachers, parents and students in both schools.3. increase a sense of belonging/inclusion in the Lithuanians pupils in Beech Hill College.4. increase the confidence of the educational stakeholders in Gabijos Gimnazija through showcasing Lithuanian culture and heritage.5. showcase and workshop best practice in both schools in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.6. share teaching methodolgies and learning resources through the creation of a digital learning platform . Number and Profile of participantsPartcipants will be selected due to a perceived need, there will be an interview process. In total 22 students will be selected - 11 from each school. In Beech Hill College 5 students from an Irish background and 6 from a Lithuanian background (who are currently studying the Lithuanian language as a Junior Cycle subject) will be selected. In Gabijos Gimnazija11 students who are studying English will be selected. Carrying out the projectA team of teachers coordinated by the Deputy Principal in each school will be responsible for delivering the project. This will require regular communication to create a partnership, share good practices and plan mobilities etc.The impact of this project will be far-reaching, it will change perceptions and build friendships. The end result will be that the students from both schools will increase in confidence and will feel valued. Relationship building will take place between all the stakeholders of both schools. Teaching methodologies and resources will be shared. During the student mobilities there will be an emphasis on STEM subjects which will result in the sharing of ideas and innovative practices. There will be a thorough evaluation of the project to gather the opinions of all stakeholders including parents, teachers, students and community groups.