Transition Year

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Practical & Creative Arts, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year

Double Gold and Overall Victory for Davitt College at Connacht Gold Junior Chef Competition

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🧑‍🍳 Culinary Arts • Double Gold Champions Double Gold and Overall Victory for Davitt College at Connacht Gold Junior Chef Competition 9 May 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, is immensely proud to celebrate a phenomenal double-victory on the culinary stage, as our students captured the top honors at the prestigious Connacht Gold Junior Chef Final. The competitive live cook-off took place at St. Angela’s College, Sligo, as a flagship event of the Só Sligo Food and Culture Festival in conjunction with Connacht Gold. Out of hundreds of entries from across the province, just 18 secondary school students were selected to compete in the live final—with Davitt College proudly standing as the only school to secure two finalist places. 🏆 Overall Champion & Gold Medal Laura Ivers (Transition Year) Sautéed her way into first place to be officially named The 2013 Connacht Gold Junior Chef, winning a commissioned trophy, iPad mini, and a masterclass scholarship with TV3 resident chef Joe Shannon. Winning Menu: • Main: Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni with salad and garlic crostini. • Dessert: White chocolate and almond tray bake with homemade vanilla custard and strawberry coulis. 🥇 Senior Category Gold Medal Amy Mulchrone (5th Year) Delivered a masterclass in culinary expertise and exceptional kitchen professionalism, securing a Senior Gold Medal from the panel of professional judges. Gourmet Menu: • Main: Bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with cream cheese & sun-dried tomatoes, with creamed mash and celeriac. • Dessert: Classic vanilla panna cotta with raspberry compote and almond biscotti. 🔬 State-of-the-Art Practical Education “In Davitt College, Home Economics has become increasingly popular in recent years. We are very fortunate to have two fully equipped, state-of-the-art Home Economics rooms, and the subject has become almost as popular with boys as it is with girls. There has been a notable increase in the number of students taking the subject at Higher Level for both the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate, and our examination results continue to far exceed the national average.” — Ms. Bernie Rowland, Principal Ms. Fiona Murtagh (Home Economics Teacher): “The subject aims to equip students with core life skills. The department constantly strives to encourage creativity in the kitchen, and this competition was a fantastic opportunity for our students to display their genuine passion for cooking. We are incredibly proud of both Laura and Amy.” 📸 Culinary Triumph Showcase: Laura Ivers (Overall Junior Chef Champion & Senior Gold Medalist) and Amy Mulchrone (Senior Category Gold Medalist) celebrating their double victory at St. Angela’s College, Sligo.

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, 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.

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