Donegal students have picked up top science awards as more than 230 second level pupils from all over Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, and Cavan showcased their impressive scientific discoveries and explorations at SciFest@IT Sligo.
The show was part of a series of one-day science fairs that will take place this year at Institutes of Technology across the country.
Almost 100 science projects were displayed at SciFest@IT Sligo with the students delving into a range of investigations.
The Intel Best Project Award winners were Blacklion students Linda and Clare Dolan from St Clare Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, for their project entitled “To Investigate the energy value of briquettes from cow manure”.
The PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award was won by Roise McGagh and Catherine Cleary from Magh Ene College, Bundoran, Co. Donegal with their project entitled “Cloud Chambers and how they work”.
Meanwhile, their classmates Ryan O’Sullivan and Dara Sweeney won first Place in the Intermediate Life Science category for their project entitled “An investigation into the effect of playing video games on eye sight”.
SciFest co-ordinator and IT Sligo lecturer, Dr Bill Crowe, said; SciFest@IT Sligo encourages students of varying abilities to develop an interest in science through the investigation of interests and activities from their everyday lives. “SciFest is a great opportunity for students to develop their research and problem solving skills on subject matters that interest them. We value the opportunity to welcome so many secondary school students on to our campus for the event every year; it is our hope that participating in this event will give them an early interest in science and technology.
Commenting on recent figures from the CAO, Dr Crowe said that secondary students are choosing courses are opting for STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects more and more. “Job prospects for graduates of science and technology are very good and that is reflected in CAO figures nationally, with almost a 20 per cent increase in these areas noted already in the last year,” he said.
“Our science courses have seen an increase in popularity this year also; the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science was up 30 per cent on last year alone. Abbott Ireland’s announcement in February that they are investing €85 million in their Sligo operation is a huge vote of confidence in the sector and in our graduates,” he said.
Students attending SciFest@ IT Sligo were also given a tour of the campus at IT Sligo that included demonstrations in science and robotics laboratories and a unique insight into games technology. IT Sligo has the second largest school of science in the Institute of Technology sector in Ireland, with a wide range of courses for students to choose from from Higher Certificate right up to Masters and PhD level.
Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager, said, “SciFest is a fun and exciting way to encourage an interest in science at school level. I would like to thank all of our partners including Intel, Discover Science and Engineering, BT, Abbott Ireland, PharmaChemical Ireland, SEAI and all the Institutes of Technology. Without their support, none of this would be possible.”
PIX
TOP: The PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award at SciFest2012@IT Sligo was won by Rosie McGagh and Catherine Cleary from Magh Ene College, Bundoran, Co. Donegal.
- BELOW: Ryan O’Sullivan and Dara Sweeney from Magh Ene College, Bundoran, Co. Donegal won first Place in the Intermediate Life Science category at SciFest2012@IT Sligo.
- Pictured are Conor Sheerin. Dylan Stuhard and Nathan McGowan from Magh Ene College, Bundoran with their project ‘To investigate the effect of spoilers on cars while driving’’.
- Overall winners of the Intel Best Project Award winners were Blacklion students Linda and Clare Dolan from St Clare Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, for their project entitled “To Investigate the energy value of briquettes from cow manure”.
More info:
SciFest
SciFest is a series of one day science fairs funded by Intel Ireland and Discover Science and Engineering as project partners and hosted nationwide by the Institutes of Technology and the University of Ulster. The inaugural SciFest was held in the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin in 2006 and SciFest was launched nationwide in September 2007. 14 Institutes of Technologies and the University of Ulster will all host SciFest science fairs in 2012.
About Discover Science and Engineering
Discover Science and Engineering is the national integrated awareness programme, managed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Its objectives are to increase the number of students studying the physical sciences, to promote a positive attitude to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and to foster a greater understanding of science and its value to society. For further information please visit www.discover-science.ie.
About Intel
Intel Ireland is one of the largest Intel manufacturing sites outside of the United States. As an innovation and technology company Intel is committed to the education of the next generation of technology innovators. Competitions such as SciFest promote the types of learning and skill sets that Ireland needs to succeed in the 21st century, namely collaborative learning, critical thinking, problem solving, research methodologies and communications. For further information please visitwww.intel.ie.
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