2008 Press Releases
Ballincollig Community School victorious at All Ireland Debating Science Issues competition
12.05.2008
Ballincollig Community School (BCS) emerged victorious to become the winners of the first ever Debating Science Issues (DSI) competition on Friday last May 9th at the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin.
12.05.2008
Ballincollig Community School (BCS) emerged victorious to become the winners of the first ever Debating Science Issues (DSI) competition on Friday last May 9th at the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin.
Secondary school students from BCS, St Colman's College Newry, St Mary's Academy CBS Carlow Town and Gort Community College Co. Galway debated hot questions such as "Is the procurement and use of embryonic stems cells for scientific research unethical?" and " Is animal testing necessary for the advancement of disease treatment?" Aisling Murphy, 5th year and Michael Coleman, transition year, represented Ballincollig Community School. BCS previously defeating Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary to win the Munster Regional Final. The team was accompanied by Ms Kathleen Kelly, teacher and supporters.
DSI is a dynamic debating competition, which invites young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the debating competition is co-ordinated by REMEDI, a research centre at NUI Galway. The Munster Regional section is coordinated by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC), a research centre focusing on gastrointestinal health based in UCC. Open to students in the senior cycle of secondary school, the competition provides a great opportunity for students to expand their communication and scientific skills.
Judges on the day included Professor Frank Gannon, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI); Brian Trench, Head of School of Communications, DCU; Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, The Irish Times; Siobhan O'Sullivan, The Irish Council for Bioethics; Tom Kennedy, Editor of Science Spin; Oonagh Meighan, Disover Science and Engineering and Cormac Sheridan, Science Journalist.
This all Ireland competition is unique in that it involves a number of research centres and secondary schools throughout the country; REMEDI, NUI Galway; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, UCC; Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU; CRANN in Trinity College Dublin; RCSI, Dublin and W5 in Belfast.
Picture L-R: Professor Tim O'Brien, REMEDI, NUI Galway; Michael Coleman, Ballincollig Community School; Stephanie Forman, Wellcome Trust; Aisling Murphy, Ballincollig Community School; Professor Frank Gannon, Director, General Science Foundation Ireland, Judging Panel.
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DSI is a dynamic debating competition, which invites young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the debating competition is co-ordinated by REMEDI, a research centre at NUI Galway. The Munster Regional section is coordinated by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC), a research centre focusing on gastrointestinal health based in UCC. Open to students in the senior cycle of secondary school, the competition provides a great opportunity for students to expand their communication and scientific skills.
Judges on the day included Professor Frank Gannon, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI); Brian Trench, Head of School of Communications, DCU; Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, The Irish Times; Siobhan O'Sullivan, The Irish Council for Bioethics; Tom Kennedy, Editor of Science Spin; Oonagh Meighan, Disover Science and Engineering and Cormac Sheridan, Science Journalist.
This all Ireland competition is unique in that it involves a number of research centres and secondary schools throughout the country; REMEDI, NUI Galway; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, UCC; Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU; CRANN in Trinity College Dublin; RCSI, Dublin and W5 in Belfast.
Picture L-R: Professor Tim O'Brien, REMEDI, NUI Galway; Michael Coleman, Ballincollig Community School; Stephanie Forman, Wellcome Trust; Aisling Murphy, Ballincollig Community School; Professor Frank Gannon, Director, General Science Foundation Ireland, Judging Panel.
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