Gale force science in Newmarket

SIXTH class students at Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire in Newmarket on Fergus have been preparing for the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition where they will present their project entitled ‘Power in the wind’.

The school has its own Science Club which is run by teachers Eamon Curley on Moira McMahon on Wednesday evenings after school. Through the club, the idea of entering the Primary Science Fair at the Young Scientist came up.
The school is currently working towards its second Green Flag, on the theme of energy, and the club had the idea of investigating how the school might reduce its carbon footprint and consequently, electricity costs.
“After a lot of research we found a way to reduce our electricity costs by almost 40% per year by replacing our current lighting with more efficient lighting,” said sixth class pupil Dylan O’Neill.
After this, the pupils went a step further and started investigating the possibility of getting rid of electricity costs completely. A site survey was carried out to assess the school’s suitability for the erection of a 6kW wind turbine.  Pupils researched how such turbines worked, they collected wind data from Shannon Weather Station and the cost of the project was examined.
A model wind turbine was built by fourth class pupil Andrew Gough and this will be going on display in the RDS this Friday. Andrew and Dylan will travel the previous day to get things ready, with the remainder of the group following on Saturday.
“The project has really excited the group and we are all looking forward to the exhibition,” said school principal Ann McMahon.
“The children have been so enthusiastic in preparing the project. It’s very encouraging to see science being taught in such an interesting and practical way. It augurs well for the future of the subject, and who knows, maybe we have an Einstein or Newton of the future in Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire!”