27 Jun 2006

Finding focus at UCC Summer Academy, 26-30 June

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UCC Summer Academy 2006 gets underway this week (26-30 June) when 100 Transition and Fifth Year students from all over Ireland participate in a residential academy - the first of its kind to be held at UCC.

According to Academy Organiser, Danielle Byrne: "The 100 students have been selected to take part in the Summer Academy on a competitive basis. Places were awarded to students from post-primary schools nationwide who have excelled in a particular field. These students have been awarded prizes in regional or national competitions in areas ranging from Sport to Science and Politics to Public Speaking. They are highly motivated and ambitious young people who understand not only the pay-offs of dedicating time and effort to learning, but also the thrill derived from the achievement gained."

The students will get the opportunity to live on campus for the week and discover for themselves the social and academic enjoyment of campus life.  A full programme of events is planned including classes in a variety of subject areas within the University. The students will also benefit from more in-depth information about courses in which they are particularly interested. As well as academic activities, study skills and careers workshops, tours of the campus, the Glucksman Gallery and evening social activities are also planned including bowling, an evening at the Everyman Palace Theatre, a mystery trail and an evening learning an exotic dance and martial art, capoeira.

The Summer Academy students have been participants in a range of competitions and awards programmes including:

• Young Entrepreneurs Scheme
• The President's Award - Gaisce
• Agri-Aware Schools Healthy Eating Challenge
• National Transition Year Drama Festival
• Young Social Innovators Awards
• City Schools Debating Competition
• County and Regional Schools sports competitions
• Europe Social Debating Competition
• Up & Go Minicompany Programme
• Student Enterprise Awards
• Young Scientist of the Year
• National European Union Science Olympiad
• Tesco Young Cook of the Year
• Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition
• Model United Nations Debates
• Schools Against Racism Poetry Competition

The Academy concludes on Friday afternoon (30 June) with a barbecue and, hopefully, 100 more focused students heading home with lasting memories of the student experience at UCC.

254MMcS


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