SPRINGTOWN, Northern Ireland-June 6, 2008-Following heats in each Education & Library Board area, the talents of students from twenty-five primary schools have been rewarded with places in the regional final of the ‘Primary Science & Technology Challenge’ at Seagate Young Innovators, on Thursday 19th June at the Odyssey Arena.
The challenge is a problem-solving exercise for teams of three P6/P7 pupils. Teams are given basic materials and asked to design and construct a solution to a problem within a specific time. For instance, in the heats, the task involved designing and constructing a slow marble run.
Brian Campbell, chief executive of Sentinus says, “I would like to express my thanks to the Education & Library Boards for their support throughout the Challenge. “It’s well known that the education sector is striving to find ways to encourage more students to take up subjects in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the earlier we can capture children’s imagination the better. Seagate Young Innovators is a prime example of the kind of successful initiative that can come out of a partnership between industry and education. It’s a process that works and we’re keen to encourage more to be established.”
“Getting students interested and involved in STEM subjects is more important for the local economy than ever, for manufacturing in general and for the high-tech sector in particular,” adds John Spangler, vice president and managing director at Seagate’s Springtown facility.
Mr. Spangler continued, “As well as being educational, Seagate Young Innovators showcases the fun and fascination of science. Even during the process of devising ways to achieve the Primary Science & Technology Challenge, the children are developing relevant skills by using basic elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to achieve the desired end result.”
The schools that qualified for a place in the final of the ‘Primary Science & Technology Challenge’ at Seagate Young Innovators are:
BELB
Holy Rosary Primary School, South Belfast
St Joseph’s Primary School, East Belfast
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, West Belfast
Strand Primary School, East Belfast
Strandtown Primary School, East Belfast
NEELB
St John’s Primary, Coleraine
Carnaghts Primary, Ballymena
Ballynure Primary, Larne
Glenravel Primary, Ballymena
Antrim Primary
SEELB
Loughries Primary School, Newtownards
Spa Primary School
Lisburn Central Primary School
Dromara Primary School
Ballycloughan Primary School, Ballynahinch
SELB
Ballydown Primary School, Banbridge
Bush Primary School, Dungannon
Kings Park Primary School, Craigavon
Walker Memorial Primary School, Dungannon
St Mary’s Primary School Banbridge
WELB
Donemana Primary School, Strabane
Londonderry Model Primary School
Gibson Primary School, Omagh
St Colmcille’s Primary School, Clady
Irvinestown Primary School, Fermanagh
About Sentinus
Sentinus is a not for profit organisation and is one of the largest providers of business/education activity in the United Kingdom. Through the establishment of partnerships between education and industry, the organisation creates an awareness of the exciting opportunities available to young people in science, engineering and technology and assists their development in readiness for the world of work.
As part of a national network of SETPOINTs Sentinus has a strong focus on young people, from 5 to 19 years old, enhancing their life skills through challenging and exciting experiences with an industrial focus.
Sentinus initiatives promote innovation and creativity in science, technology and engineering and give pupils from our schools the opportunity to work with other people, gain real experience of practical problem solving, develop communication skills and make informed career decisions.
The work of Sentinus is supported by many companies and organisations throughout Northern Ireland, providing vital opportunities for young people, nurturing the workforce of tomorrow and making a real impact on society.
Further information can be obtained from Sentinus on Belfast (028) 9262 7755.
