While science week is a great way of promoting the subject in schools throughout the country, in Castleisland Community College it’s on the curriculum throughout the year.
The science department of the college delightedly welcomed Trevor Casey and his team from UCC to the school for a series of workshops with Transition Year, fifth year and sixth year chemistry students in February.
“This was after a successful science week back in November. The students were able to avail of an opportunity to use top of the range technological, analytical equipment to link in with their school work on such techniques,” science teacher, Mairéad Corridan explained.
Real Taste for Chemistry
“It allowed students to engage in a scenario involving forensic science in which they identified an unknown component in a drug at a crime scene. This gave them a real taste for the use of chemistry in forensics and crime investigation.
“The workshops are sponsored by the Salters Chemistry who provide funding for such events throughout the UK and Ireland.
“As well as that, it also afforded the chemistry students a chance to find out what STEM – ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths’ based courses are available in UCC and it also highlighted the importance of chemistry and science in society. All the students thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and it helped foster their love of science even more!
“Just before the Easter Holidays our Leaving Cert Agri Science teacher Ms. McEllistrem took her class to Pallaskenry Agricultural college where the students saw first- hand the application of the knowledge they’ve learned in class throughout senior cycle.
Well Equipped
“In-fact, some of our students even helped a ewe deliver a lamb and were well equipped to use what they’d been through in class in a very practical way.
“In particular, it really helped them prepare for submitting their Ag. Science projects – which is worth 25% of their leaving certificate grade.
“Just last week a team of first year students attended The Salters Chemistry Festival in UCC. Four students: Julianne Murphy, Cian Walsh Murphy, Liam O’Connor and Siobhan O’Donoghue headed off bright and early to UCC where they enjoyed a day in the labs undertaking different tasks with lab technicians from the college.
“The aim of the festival was to promote an appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young. The day ended with a spectacular science magic show which was the hot topic of conversation by the students for the days that followed,” Ms. Corridan concluded.
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