Tag Archives: Engineering

STUDENTS from across Clare and the MidWest have been inspired to develop creative, innovative and entrepreneurial skills for life as part of this year’s EMPOWER programme. The free programme, designed and developed by Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), saw Transition Year (TY) and Fifth Year students tasked with finding innovative solutions to some of the mobility challenges facing society. Now in its sixth year, the EMPOWER programme partnered with Jaguar Land Rover to give students a real hands-on approach to the tasks they faced. Held from June 7 to 17, the theme of this year’s programme was ‘The Future of Mobility’. The participating students spent a day at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) R&D Software Engineering Centre in Shannon where they took part in a Hackathon, mentored by JLR engineers, to give students a first-person experience of handling their own Future of Mobility projects. According to Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise and Community Engagement Manager at MIC, this year’s programme was hugely successful. “EMPOWER …

The sky was certainly the limit for students from Kilrush Community School when teams of transition year students from across Clare and Limerick designed, built and launched mini-satellites made in the shape of soft drink cans at the Regional final of CEIA and ESERO Ireland CanSat final held in Limerick Institute of Technology. Kilrush Community School were announced as the overall winning team at the 2017 CanSat Regional Final and will now go on to represent Ireland at the national final which takes place in Portlaoise on April 27 and 28. A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite in the size and shape volume of a soft drink can and is a European Space Agency initiative designed to inspire young people to pursue a career in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the availability of a highly qualified workforce in the space industry of the future. Speaking at the event …

Ennis engineering student, Graham Britchfield from Rockmount has been awarded a Hank Krabbe Scholarship at University of Limerick. A fourth year electronic and computer engineering student, Graham will receive a scholarship grant and is also eligible for co-operative education or summer placements at Analog Devices, sponsors of the scholarship. In total, six of UL’s top performing engineering students were awarded Hank Krabbe Scholarships. The top graduating engineering student is also eligible for the Hank Krabbe Medal and an accompanying grant of €5,000. Speaking at the scholarship awards ceremony, Denis Doyle, Vice President and General Manager Limerick Manufacturing, Analog Devices said; “There is a very strong, long-term and successful relationship between Analog Devices and the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department in UL, with many graduates of this course contributing to the success of Analog Devices. “Electronic engineering will continue to be at the heart of our future and with that in mind we have designed the awards to promote the brightest, …

A total of  83% of secondary school students in Clare believe that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects offer the best career opportunity, according to a new national survey. In addition, the survey, which was commissioned by BT as organiser of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, revealed that over 83% of secondary school students in Clare plan to study a STEM subject at third level. Conducted through Facebook and Twitter, and completed by over 1,000 students aged under 13 – 18 the survey took in a nationally representative sample across 26 counties. The survey also revealed 72% of students in Clare say that STEM subjects are promoted in their schools, with 65% of respondents believing that boys and girls are encouraged equally to study STEM subjects. Those surveyed  have mixed views when it comes to their potential earnings. When asked how much money they expect to earn in their first year of full-time employment, in keeping with the …

As the CAO Change of Mind deadline on July1 looms, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is reminded parents and students considering whether to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at third level to visit www. smartfutures.ie. Clare’s All-Ireland hurling final hero, Shane O’Donnell, who is studying genetics at University College Cork (UCC), is an ambassador for Smart Futures and will help Smart Futures highlight the opportunities available to young people in the areas of STEM. Smart Futures is a Government-industry initiative providing access to STEM careers information and role models to second-level students, parents, teachers and careers guidance counsellors in Ireland. At this important time in the education calendar, this online resource will be important for parents looking for information about STEM careers, to help best support their children in making study and career decisions. An online resource for students and parents alike, Smart Futures demonstrates the huge range of opportunities open to post-primary students that study STEM subjects at second and …

Clara Feeney from Inch National School and Seosamh Ryan from Holy Family Senior School, Ennis were among 200 primary school children who were conferred with special certificates from NUI Galway as part of its Youth Academy. The pupils from across the Western region received their certificates, with more than 1000 friends and family attending the ceremony. Established in 2012, the Youth Academy aims to inspire entry to university by introducing children and their families to university life. Since its foundation, almost 800 children have graduated from a variety of courses on Saturday mornings ranging from Italian to Mandarin, Philosophical Discovery, Psychology, Engineering, English Literature, History, Film Studies, Eco-Explorers, Map Adventures and the World in 3D, and Information Technology. The Youth Academy runs for a six week period and works with high ability fourth, fifth and sixth-class primary school children to support their learning and academic development, in partnership with their primary schools. Speaking at the event, President of NUI Galway, …