STEM

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM, Transition Year

National Business Success: Davitt College Transition Year Student Wins BT Bootcamp

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💡 Enterprise & Science • National Winners National Business Success: Davitt College Transition Year Student Wins BT Bootcamp 20 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, is incredibly proud to celebrate national entrepreneurial success, as Transition Year student Sean Murphy was named a member of the winning team at the prestigious 2013 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp. The intensive commercialisation skills programme, held at NovaUCD, wrapped up on Friday, 8th March 2013. Devised by BT and delivered in partnership with UCD Innovation, the elite bootcamp aims to bridge the gap between business and education by equipping young innovators with the tools to transform scientific concepts into market-ready commercial ventures. 📱 Best Overall Team Award Award-Winning Project: “I.C.E. Scan Me” Sean Murphy, working alongside teammates Anna Fitzpatrick (Scol Chonglais, Wicklow), Sean Reilly (Coláiste na Coiribe, Galway), Emer Hickey (Kinsale Community College, Cork), and Aaron Hoffmann (Luttrellstown Community College, Dublin), captured the coveted Best Overall Team Award. About the Innovation: I.C.E. Scan Me is a groundbreaking medical database designed to be rapidly and securely accessed by first responders during a medical emergency using a personalized QR code. Evaluated by a highly selective judging panel from across corporate business and academia, Sean’s team was chosen for their exceptional progress, viable model, and commercial insight throughout the week. 🎓 Summer Research Placements Winners receive research and innovation scholarships across NUI Galway, UL, UCD, and Ulster University. 🚀 NovaUCD Partnership Delivered in collaboration with UCD Innovation to accelerate commercialization skills. 💡 Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow “A key innovation output of Ireland is a new cohort of creative, innovative, and skilled students, formed in an environment of research, discovery, and entrepreneurship, who will go on to be the leaders of tomorrow. I trust that the week has challenged the participants’ thinking and will assist them in understanding the key steps they must implement in order to transform their innovative ideas into commercially viable products and services.” — Professor Peter Clinch, UCD Vice-President for Innovation 📸 Presentation Showcase: Mr. Jim Higgins MEP presenting Davitt College students Jack McEllin, Sean Murphy, and Conor Reilly with their Young Scientist accolades. Photo Credit: © Ken Wright Photography 2013

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

Davitt College Innovators at SciFest 2013

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🔬 STEM • Scientific Discovery Davitt College Innovators at SciFest 2013 7 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar A talented cohort of Davitt College students proudly presented their scientific investigations at the regional SciFest 2013 exhibition this week. Encouraging active, collaborative, and enquiry-based learning, SciFest provides a fantastic platform for our students to showcase their hard work in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and represent the school on a broader competitive stage. Take a look at our young scientists in action and explore some of their brilliant project displays in the photo showcase below! 💡 Enquiry-Based Learning Fostering critical thinking, hypothesis testing, and rigorous scientific research methods. 🧪 STEM Exhibition Showcasing student-led innovations to academic and industrial judges across the region. Maith sibh to all our participating students – inspiring the next generation of scientific minds!

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM, Transition Year

CSI Investigation: Forensic Science Workshop at Davitt College

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🔬 STEM • Applied Forensics CSI Investigation: Forensic Science Workshop at Davitt College 6 February 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Transition Year students at Davitt College had the exciting opportunity to step directly into the shoes of crime scene investigators to solve a realistic, hands-on criminal case on campus. Using an array of physical evidence gathered from a simulated crime scene, the students were tasked with cracking the case wide open. The immersive workshop seamlessly merged classic detective methodology with state-of-the-art forensic technology. By cross-referencing and carefully analysing all the scientific data gathered, our meticulous TY investigators successfully eliminated false leads and positively identified the culprit—providing a brilliant, practical demonstration of how Senior Cycle biology and chemistry concepts apply directly to real-world career paths. 🔬 Applied Forensic Science in Action 🧬 DNA Profiling Analysing biological markers and blood sampling data to match scene evidence to specific profiles. 🔍 Microscopic Analysis Examining trace fibers, hair samples, and minute physical particles under high magnification. 🖐️ Fingerprint Lifting Employing traditional powder dusting and lifting techniques to catalogue unique ridge patterns. Inspiring investigative curiosity and practical STEM applications at Davitt College! 📸 Presentation Showcase: Pictured at the Forensic Science Workshop on campus are Ms. Bernie Rowland (Principal), Ms. Alison Leck (Forensic Scientist & Workshop Facilitator), alongside members of the Davitt College Science Faculty and participating Transition Year students.

Core News & Information, School News, STEM, Transition Year

Davitt College Collaborates with NUI Galway for Innovative Computer Programming Module

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💻 Digital Innovation • Academic Partnership Davitt College Collaborates with NUI Galway for Innovative Computer Programming Module 1 February 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar The world of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) continues to develop at a rapid pace, bringing with it a rising demand for a highly skilled and talented tech workforce. Recognizing that schools are central to fostering these essential 21st-century talents, Davitt College has officially teamed up with NUI Galway and the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) to launch a pioneering Computer Programming Module, led on campus by NUIG Education Officer Mr. Brendan Smith. Core Philosophy From “Digital Consumers” to “Digital Creators” The curriculum is designed to equip students with computational thinking and logical problem-solving skills, applying core mathematical principles directly to software design, web science, and interactive media. ⚡ Coding & Logic 🌐 Digital Media “ “There is no doubt that the education of our young people from Primary school to Third-Level will play a very important role in Ireland’s future prosperity and advancement. So, we are constantly enriching and enhancing the curriculum we provide here at Davitt College. The upcoming Junior Cycle frameworks will include specific modules such as Programming, Coding, and Digital Media. With today’s launch, we continue to lead the way in implementing forward-thinking curricula that help all of our students excel in science and mathematics.” BR Ms. Bernie Rowland Principal, Davitt College 🎓 Hands-On Student Modules Led by Brendan Smith (NUIG), students explore practical coding workflows, web fundamentals, and algorithmic problem-solving designed to inspire long-term STEM pathways. 👨‍🏫 Faculty Professional Development A concurrent professional development framework equips Davitt College teachers to sustain and expand software design and digital media modules for future year groups. 📸 Programme Launch Showcase: Davitt College students and teaching staff join Mr. Brendan Smith (Education Officer, NUI Galway & DERI) and Ms. Bernie Rowland (Principal) to mark the official launch of the Computer Programming Module.

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

Record-Breaking Success and Silicon Valley Win at the 2013 BT Young Scientist Exhibition

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🏆 STEM • Silicon Valley Prize Winners Record-Breaking Success and Silicon Valley Win at the 2013 BT Young Scientist Exhibition 20 January 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College achieved a landmark result at the 2013 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, qualifying a record four projects for the national finals at the RDS in Dublin. This historic achievement mirrors the findings of a recent Department of Education and Skills Inspectorate report, which commended Davitt College as “a very progressive school and a true learning community where the widespread use of Information Communications Technology has revolutionised teaching and learning.” 🤖 Silicon Valley Winner ‘The World at Your Fingertips’ Jack McEllin, Conor Reilly & Sean Murphy (Mentor: Mr. Aaron Tonry) The TY team engineered a bespoke Robotic Glove acting as a high-precision computer mouse, designed for future commercial applications across the music and physiotherapy sectors. 🏆 Major Accolades Won: • Analog Devices Travel Award 2013: All-expenses-paid trip to present to researchers in Silicon Valley, California. • 3rd Prize: Technology Intermediate Group. • €2,500 School Grant for science equipment & Perpetual Trophy. 🧩 Social Science ‘How Board Games Can Help Autism’ Andrey Connolly (First Year) First Year student Andrey Connolly earned high praise for his thorough, compassionate research. Andrey designed, developed, and rigorously tested a bespoke board game specifically tailored to support children on the autism spectrum. 🌟 Ministerial Commendation: Warmly commended by An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., who took a keen personal interest in the real-world accessibility and developmental impact of Andrey’s game design. 🇮🇪 High-Profile RDS Demonstrations During the exhibition, the Davitt College students demonstrated their working prototype directly to An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., and shared a lively demonstration with RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy. RDS Dublin 2013 📸 RDS Award Presentation Showcase: Pictured with their winning project ‘The World at Your Fingertips’ are Davitt College students Sean Murphy, Jack McEllin, and Conor Reilly, alongside Mr. Colm O’Neill (CEO, BT Ireland) and An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2013. Photo: Chris Bellew / Copyright © 2013 Fennell Photography

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

Science Magic at Davitt College Inspires Primary School Visitors

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🔬 STEM Outreach • National Science Week Science Magic at Davitt College Inspires Primary School Visitors 5 January 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College proudly threw open the doors of its state-of-the-art laboratory and ICT facilities to host a spectacular three-day science immersion event for 6th Class primary pupils across Castlebar and the surrounding districts. Coinciding with National Science Week, the interactive initiative was designed to ignite curiosity, foster a lifelong passion for STEM subjects, and give prospective students a thrilling, practical taste of post-primary science. ⚡ Static Electricity & Physics High-energy demonstrations intriguing pupils from Scoil Raifteirí. 🔬 Microscopy & Cell Biology St. Patrick’s pupils investigating plant cell structures under high magnification. 💥 Reactions & Coding Volatile metal reactions alongside hands-on introductory ICT programming. The initiative was an overwhelming success thanks to the fantastic engagement of all visiting primary school students and the tireless dedication of the Davitt College Science Department and our enthusiastic student lab assistants who helped facilitate every workshop. Interactive Physics: Students from Scoil Raifteirí, Castlebar, explore the “magic” of static electricity in our science laboratories. Hands-On STEM: Visiting 6th class pupils participating in live chemistry experiments and lab investigations on campus.

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