More than 230 second level students from all over Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Cavan and Donegal showcased their impressive scientific discoveries and explorations at SciFest@IT Sligo on May 4th, 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”.
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
Image Caption Top Right: Senior Physical Science First Place Winners and Global Citizneship and Sustainability Award qualifier from IT Sligo Scifest 2012 are Stephen Hallinan, Jason Guinness and Ronan Caheny from Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo with their project entitled “An Investigation into the possibilities of a parabolic Mirror.
Winners at SciFest2012at IT Sligo
Intel Best Project Award winners are Linda and Clare Dolan from St Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim for their project entitled “To Investigate the energy value of briquettes from cow manure”. |
Abbott Runner Up Best Project Award winners are Aileen O Kenney, Aisling O Malley and Grace Blaine from St Catherine Vocational School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal for their project entitled “Helmecator”. |
Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) winners are James Johnston, Robbie Cunningham, and Declan Byrne from St Clare Comprehensive School, Manorhamiliton, Co. Leitrim for their project entitled “Investigating the coronal heating problem of the sun” |
Discover Sensors Award prize winners are Alex Wynne, Cein Baker and Louis O Reilly from Sancta Maria College, Louisburg, Co. Mayo for their project entitled “To investigate the effect of acidification of seawater on mussels. |
The NCE-MSTL Maths in Science Award winner was Mariyah Zia Janjua from St Joseph Secondary School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo for her project entitled “Mobile network optimisation in Co. Mayo based on a mathematical model. |
The PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award winners are Roise McGagh and Catherine Cleary from Magh Ene College, Bundoran, Co. Donegal with their project entitled “Cloud Chambers and how they work”. |
The BT Best Communicator Award winner was Saoirse O Dowd from Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo for her project entitled “A Qualitative analysis of plankton changes in Killala Bay. |
The Runner Up in BT Best communicator Award is Michael Conlon from St Claire Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim and Michael’s project was entitled “The Quit Smoking App”. Pictured along with Dr Padraic O Murachu Intel Ireland. |
Some of the staff and students from the School of Science at IT Sligo who organised SciFest2012 at the Institute. |
The Bank of Ireland Business Innovation Award was won by Brandon McGinley, Ciaran Ellison and Mathew Dupuy from St Catherine Vocational School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal with their project entitled “Car Emergency Dial”. |