Portlaoise College’s annual STEM Night offers local primary school students an engaging and interactive evening that underscores the importance of creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills in today’s world.
The event aims to ignite young learners’ enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on activities and collaborative challenges.
The evening was meticulously organised by Ms Kelly, a Science and Biology teacher, along with her colleagues Mr Kenny, Head of Technology, and Technology teacher Mr Bennett.
A special highlight this year was the return of past pupil Laoise Shaughnessy, now a student at NUI Maynooth, who assisted in delivering the Science workshop with enthusiasm and expertise, inspiring the next generation.
Students participated in four carefully designed workshops, each tailored to ensure learners of all abilities could experience both success and enjoyment.
In the Science workshop, students performed hands-on experiments to identify whether various substances were acids or bases.
In Computer Science, they explored the educational potential of Minecraft and immersed themselves in virtual reality through VR headsets.
The Engineering workshop challenged students to design and construct bridges capable of holding a specific weight, fostering teamwork and innovation.
Finally, in the Mathematics workshop, they transformed 2D templates into 3D shapes, employing precise calculations to achieve their goals.
Ms Kelly shared her thoughts on the event, saying: “STEM Night is always a fantastic opportunity to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
“It’s wonderful to see the students so engaged and enjoying themselves.”
Mr Daly, Principal of Portlaoise College, also expressed his pride in the evening’s success: “Events like this highlight the incredible dedication of our staff and the power of hands-on learning to inspire the young minds of our community.”
Though the event books out quickly every year, the smiles and laughter echoing through the school during the evening truly capture the spirit of fun and discovery that STEM Night is all about.
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