Creagh College students embrace Science Week

IN recognition of the commitment of the school to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education, during Science Week Creagh College was awarded with a national STEM award.

Accepting the award, principal Paul Glynn said he was delighted with Creagh College’s success in promoting and encouraging STEM.

‘We have been successful in national competitions, winning a highly commended award this year at the BT Young Scientist, and many of our past pupils are now studying science in the various universities.’

During Science Week, the school hosted a competition for students, with over 100 young scientists showcasing their projects.

Guest judge of the competition was Dr Tony Keene of UCD’s Chemistry Department, as well as first-time judge Gerry Moloney of Computer Science, IT Carlow.

Dr Keene described the standard as extremely high and complimented the students on their hard work and innovative ideas. Both were impressed with the students’ dedication, enthusiasm and passion for science, and found it hard to pick only four winners.

Overall winners were Alana Murphy and Amy Connors, with their project on gluten stimulating plant growth. Ellie-May Handrick and Elly Kinsella came a close second. Together they hypothesised that athletes contribute to global warming more than couch potatoes.

Ciara Hallam, Ciara O’Neill and Nevaeh Duignam’s project, Caffeine and plant growth, came in third place, while Joshua

Walters and Killian Curry won the highly commended award from Specsavers for their work on depression and its causes.

Fayth Hughes and Siobhan Dunne received the Irish Forestry Award for their project showing how colour affects memory.

The science fair that closed science week at the school was a success, and many students will now represent Wexford in competition next year.

‘The SciFest competition allows students to develop their study of science, technology, engineering and maths outside of the classroom and apply it to everyday life.

‘All of the students have worked very hard on their projects and should be very proud of their achievements,’ said a spokesperson for the school, speaking after the event.

Adam O’ Brien, Daniel Owens and Eoin Doyle with their project: the relationship between PSI and bounce height. SciFest in Creagh College. Back, from left: judge Dr Tony Keene, Siobhan Dunne, highly commended; Fayth Hughes, highly commended; Amy Connors and Alana Murphy (first prize) with science teacher Evelyn Egan (centre); Joshua Walters, highly commended; Killian Curry and science teacher Triona Conroy. Front: Elly Kinsella and Ellie Handrick, second prize; and Ciara Hallam and Ciara O’ Neill, third prize.

James Gallagher, Matas Mazeika, Jack Preston and Liam Kehoe with their project on hydro electric power. Aaron Maher and Koray Redmond test sugar levels in fruits.

Catherine Tattersall presents the STEM School Award to science teacher Julia Tobin and principal Paul Glynn.