Summerhill NS exhibit at Young Scientist for first time

Fifth class pupils from Summerhill National School in Athlone recently enjoyed a memorable day at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Primary Fair.

Held at the RDS in Dublin on Thursday, January 8, the pupils were selected to exhibit their class research project entitled “How Does Your Heart Pump Blood Around Your Body?” accompanied by their teacher Miss Sumner.

It was the first time Summerhill NS had been represented at this prestigious national event.

The pupils proudly presented their project to judges, fellow students from schools across the country, and members of the public.

The judges commended their teamwork, enthusiasm, and confidence in speaking about their project.

The project was the result of three months of dedicated work. The pupils began by engaging in class discussions and votes to decide on a research topic before exploring the function of the heart through a range of hands-on experiments. These included investigations into heart rate, exercise, and sleep.

As their learning progressed, the class took on the challenge of understanding the parts and work of the heart, as well as tracing the journey of a red blood cell as it travels around the body.

To enhance their learning further, the pupils welcomed a secondary school science teacher to their classroom to carry out a heart dissection, an experience that greatly enriched their understanding.

During their visit to the RDS, the pupils also had the opportunity to explore secondary school exhibition stands, interact with various science and technology companies, attend live science shows, and even meet a few well-known faces from the world of science, technology, and media.

The school community extends sincere thanks to the Parents’ Association, who generously funded the bus for the trip, making the experience possible.

The pupils returned home with lasting memories, a special plaque for the school, and a strong sense of pride in their achievements.