Laois County Council, in collaboration with Laois Education Support Centre, has announce the successful conclusion of “The Antarctic Project,” an engaging competition that captivated schools across County Laois.
This initiative was inspired by the Antarctic Video Series featuring esteemed scientist and explorer, Niamh Shaw, which was exclusive to schools in Laois due to the generous sponsorship of Laois County Council.
As an award-winning science communicator, explorer, and engineer, Dr Shaw was recognized by the European Space Agency as Ireland’s first ‘ESA Champion in Education,’ demonstrating her commitment to inspiring and educating future generations about science and exploration.
The Antarctic Project workshops provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with Dr Shaw and learn about her upcoming expedition to the Antarctic.
Through video blogs, students experienced Antarctic exploration firsthand, gaining insight into the challenges and wonders of this remote environment.
Sponsored by Laois County Council, these workshops not only enriched students’ understanding of science and exploration but also highlighted the importance of climate change mitigation in the Antarctic region.
Dr Shaw invited schools to join her on this educational and inspiring journey. The workshops aimed to engage students in climate action, space exploration, and environmental awareness.
The schools involved were Clonaslee College, Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington, Emo National School, Tobar an Leinn National School, and Cosby National School.
Participants were encouraged to stay tuned for workshop dates and times, ensuring they could be part of a transformative learning experience that inspired and empowered students to make a positive impact on our planet.
During the Antarctic Video Series, schools had an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of Antarctic exploration.
This gave participating schools a firsthand look at the challenges and wonders of this unique environment.
The initiative celebrated the achievements of 100 female explorers and empowered the next generation of scientists and adventurers.
As part of this comprehensive initiative, Laois primary schools were invited to participate in the “Antarctic Project” competition, encouraging students to explore various aspects of Antarctic life and research.
Entries were meticulously evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Niamh Shaw, Liam O’Neil, Chairperson, and Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Coordinator at Laois County Council.
The Awards Night, held at Laois Education Centre on Monday, February 19, was a celebration of achievement.
The competition sought to commemorate Dr Shaw’s collaborative journey with schools, shedding light on her encounters in extreme environments and the captivating experiments conducted in such unique settings.
The judges said they were “thoroughly impressed by the exceptional quality of the submissions, reflecting the dedication and creativity of the participating students.”
Suzanne Dempsey acknowledged the outstanding quality of the entrants and the challenging task of judging their submissions.
She extended her gratitude to Yvonne Nolan and Catherine Doolan from Laois Education Centre for their warm hospitality throughout the evening and their invaluable support in organizing the weekly online sessions.
In addition to honoring outstanding projects, attendees were treated to a motivational presentation by Dr Shaw, inspiring them to pursue interests in science, exploration, and environmental stewardship.
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