Ballylanders teens' work features in new STEM book publication
A BT Young Scientist project entered last year by Transition Year students from Scoil Pól in Kilfinane, Co. Limerick has been included in a new STEM textbook.
‘Engineering in the World’ is the first in a planned series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) books and was launched earlier this week in County Hall, Cork, aimed at the Irish 16-18 year old market.
Co-authors Susan Hayes Culleton and Marguerite O’Sullivan joined forces to create an engaging and practical guide for Transition Year students interested in exploring the world of STEM. The publication, which will be made available to every school across the country, is designed to suit all types of learners.
SCOIL PÓL PROJECT – HIGHLY COMMENDED
The book focuses on engineering in the world and bringing a design to fruition. In each chapter, there is a spotlight on BT Young Scientist projects completed by students showing their interest in science. The book gives students an insight into engineering careers, along with incorporating practical engineering examples and concepts that are very much linked to the overall science, physical and chemistry curricula.
The Scoil Pól project chosen for the new publication was titled ‘ To investigate the electrolyte levels of different sports drinks for the rehydration of athletes’ and it was entered in the 2022 BT Young Scientist competition by TY students Olivia Donohoe and Sarah Blade, who are both from Ballylanders in county Limerick. The project received a highly commended award.
The inspiration for the project came from the students’ own keen interest in sport, both students play ladies football for their school, Scoil Pól and their local club, Ballylanders. The students noticed an increased use of sports drinks and wanted to investigate if they are in fact more hydrating than water. Professional teams in all sports at all levels can be seen taking energy drinks before, throughout and after their activities in order to stay hydrated and keep their energy levels up. This led to the students investigating which brand of energy drinks was actually most effective for the purpose of rehydration.
The students tested the conductance of several brands of energy drinks to investigate which brand contains the most electrolytes, which are essential for rehydration and endurance during physical exercise. They created a conductance measuring circuit to record the current and voltage in each energy drink. They documented their findings to calculate the conductance, and the drink with the highest level of electrolytes being the most effective at rehydrating athletes after exercise.
VARIETY OF CAREER PATHS
The authors were motivated to write the book following their concern at findings revealed in a 2022 survey which showed that three out of four TY students were worried about their future career path. Some were concerned as to whether they will love their job and if they will make the right career choice.
The new book helps students to recognise engineering in everyday life and its direct influence in solving common problems. Written as a stand-alone STEM module for TY students, it explores engineering as a career or for further study and is designed to suit all types of learners, from visual to logical to active. The publication is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, John Sisk & Son and Cork County Council and will be available in every school in the country, through publisher and distributor EdCo.
The Kilfinane students were delighted to attend the launch of the book on Monday at the Vertigo building, County Hall in Cork, where they were accompanied by their teachers Miss Kelly and Miss Garvey.