He acknowledged their hard work, thanked them for participating in the scheme and for the invaluable role they played in improving the student experience for first year students.

The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme, now in its fifth year, is a student support scheme for first year students taking Chemistry in SEFS. Second and Third year students (known as PAL Leaders) are recruited and trained to assist first year students.

The PAL scheme has two main aims: a) to integrate learning strategies and study skills with curriculum content by improving their understanding of course concepts through small group discussion and active learning; b) to increase retention and end of year academic performance at first year level. Both PAL Leaders and first years take five additional credits. This year over 250 first years registered for the PAL module (CM0001) and 19 PAL Leaders supported the scheme.

The 2009/10 PAL Leaders were: Clive Allen; Patricia Brady; Kevin Buckley; Therese Coffey; Orla Dineen (absent); Gerard Finn; Eileen Fitzpatrick; Julie Hanlon; Yvonne McCarthy; Conor Murphy; Cathy O'Brien; Carol O'Sullivan; Patrick O'Sullivan; Susan Pierce; Jamie Semple; Jane Starr; Cormac Tobin; K M Roberta Walsh (absent) and Paul Ward.

Funding from NAIRTL for 2999/10 is kindly acknowledged.

Pictured at the Presentation Ceremony were PAL Leaders above along with Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick (Head of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science), Professor John O’Halloran (Vice Head of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science), Dr Edmond Byrne (Chair of SEFS Teaching and Learning & Student Experience Committee), Dr John Wenger (Department of Chemistry), Dr Debbie Chapman (Environmental Sciences), Dr Tanya Mulcahy (SEFS College Manager), Dr Declan Kennedy (Department of Education), Dr Bettie Higgs (Ionad Bairre/Department of Geology), Dr Eileen O’Leary (PAL Co-ordinator), Shelly Conroy (Education Officer, Students’ Union), Catriona O’Driscoll (College of SEFS Class rep), Teresa Dwan (PAL Project Leader, College of SEFS).

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