RDS Science Fair 2016

St. Patrick’s P.S. Mullanaskea was only one of three primary schools from Northern Ireland presenting a science project at the RDS Science Fair in Dublin last week.  This January over 4,500 pupils from across the country presented their projects at the RDS Primary Science Fairs.

Last Thursday, 7^th January 2016, the P.7 children presented their project to judges, to the ETI Inspectorate and to many others at the science fair. They were commended by the judges for their fantastic showcase of the use of scientific skills to investigate their question.

Under the guidance of Mrs Toal and Mr Dolan the children planned how they would carry out their investigations. The entire class was encouraged to be inquisitive and curious about the question, ‘How clean are our pencils?

The judge reported: “The children showed the diligence and care in their investigation and collection of data as grown-up scientists could. It was clear that this was a project idea that engaged and interested the whole class and the children presenting clearly communicated that interest and enthusiasm. Excellent work! Well done to all.”

They received a trophy for their excellent work. Today FM interviewed five P7 pupils and two of the interviews were aired on Thursday afternoon.

The RDS Primary Science Fair encourages primary school teachers to focus on developing students’ core scientific skills by investigating a question or problem by ‘working scientifically’ as per the primary science curriculum. Teachers’ feedback indicates that it is not just science skills that benefit but that literacy, oral language and numeracy skills can improve through this type of project. International studies have also demonstrated a direct link between primary school science engagement and later academic science achievement.