2008 Press Releases
21.02.2008
Every year the Institute of Physics in Ireland presents a medal to the student who comes first in the country in Leaving Cert Physics. This year, the Medal has been awarded to UCC student, Antoinette O'Connor for First Place in Physics in Ireland in Leaving Certificate Examination 2007.
Antoinette, a first year medical student at UCC, is a native of Coachford, Co. Cork and a former pupil of Coachford College.
The medal was presented to Antoinette by Síle Níc Chormaic, Lecturer at the Physics Department, UCC representing the Institute of Physics in Ireland. The presentation took place prior to the Tyndall Lecture at UCC's Brookfield Health Sciences Complex. The lecture, one of a series organised nationwide by the Institute of Physics in Ireland for schools, was delivered by Dr Robert Walsh, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England. 'To say the Sun is important to us is an understatement,' said Dr Walsh. "We are here because it is here, providing the light and heat required for life on Earth. It really is our life-giving star." In his lecture, Dr Walsh tracked the flow of energy from the initial nuclear reactions at the heart of the star right down to our own terrestrial environment.
Antoinette's sister Martha O'Connor won the award in 2005 and another student from Coachford College, Deirdre O'Leary won the award in 2000. All three winners were taught by Diarmuid Hickey from Coachford College.
The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 37,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. It has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in: scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics; setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications; promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice.
Picture: Antoinette O'Connor (centre) being presented with her award by Síle Níc Chormaic. Also in picture is Diarmuid Hickey, Teacher, Coachford College.
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