Debating Science Competition
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Debating Science Competition
25.03.2011
Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Cork emerged victorious at the Munster Regional Final of the National Debating Science Competition battling it out with Clonakilty Community College for a place in the National Finals. The team from Coláiste an Phiarsaigh persuaded a panel of judges, which included scientists and a journalist, that “the procurement and use of embryonic stem cells for scientific research is unethical”.

Debating Science Issues is a national Science Debating Competition co-ordinated by research and discovery centres on the island of Ireland and is funded by the Wellcome Trust.  The competition encourages young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science.  Debates in the Munster region are being co-ordinated by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) and Tyndall National Institute.  Munster schools taking part in the competition initially received 3-hour workshops for a group of students to facilitate a discussion forum on the ethical issues raised by either Genetically Modified Food (delivered by the APC) or Nanotechnology (delivered by Tyndall).  Schools teams then debate a motion related to the initial workshop in the regional heats.  From there, the debating motions are circulated so that students debate on an array of controversial topical issues including stem cell research, genetically modified food, health and self testing, nanotechnology, vaccination, and animal testing. 

Participating teacher Sian Joyce from Coláiste an Phiarsaigh said of the initiative: “It is a fantastic opportunity to discover the many facets to a career in science whilst also introducing the students to valuable skills such as public speaking and scientific research methods”. 

“It is great to see the students’ confidence in discussing contemporary scientific issues grow as the competition progresses” said Aoife O’Donoghue, Tyndall Outreach Officer. 

Debaters in the Munster Regional Final were challenged by judges, fellow students, teachers and audience members to defend their argument.  The winning team from Coláiste an Phiarsaigh will go through to the national finals which will take place in the Science Gallery in Dublin on April 14th 2011.  The judging panel included:

  1. Dr Andre Toulouse, College Lecturer in Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC
  2. Dr Deirdre Madden, College Lecturer in Medical Law & Ethics, Law Department, UCC
  3. Fiachra O Cionnaith, Reporter, Irish Examiner.

 Picture L-R: Grainne Heelan, APC, UCC with winning students Oisín Brady Bates and Caoimhe Ní Ciaráin Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire and Tyndall Outreach Officer Aoife O’Donoghue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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