PICTURES: Kilkenny students shine bright at ESB Science Blast

More than 500 projects from primary schools around the country, including eight schools from Kilkenny, were showcased at this year’s sixth annual ESB Science Blast, the RDS Foundation’s flagship Science and Technology Programme. 

ESB Science Blast is a STEM-focused educational programme involving whole classes investigating the science behind simple questions.

Picture: Pupils from St Canice's Co. Ed. NS, Granges Road, Kilkenny

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The Dublin event took place over four days in RDS Simmonscourt, from March 4 to 7, and included a 'lá speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna agus do scoileanna Ghaeltachta'.

Pupils from Kilkenny showcased an experiment and discussed their investigation with a STEM expert (judge/moltóir).

The judging was non-competitive and aimed at growing pupils' interest and passion for STEM.

Over 55,000 children have participated in ESB Science Blast to date, making it the largest primary school programme on the island of Ireland, and one of the largest programmes of its kind in Europe.

Strong themes emerging from schools this year included climate change, biodiversity, the impact of fast fashion and questions related to physical and mental health. 

Participating schools in Kilkenny included St Aidan's NS, Kilmanagh, Skeoughvosteen NS, Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Freshford and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Graignamanagh. 

Their projects featured questions such as:

- The Power of Advertising: Does branding influence our taste buds?
- How do plants react to different environments?
- What animals in Ireland are most impacted by climate change?
- Does the material of your hurl impact how far you can hit a sliotar?

Speaking at the event in RDS Simmonscourt, Niamh De Loughry, Deputy Chief Executive of the RDS Foundation, said that 'it's wonderful to see such a great turnout from primary schools across the length and breadth of Ireland, including Kilkenny'.

"In developing ESB Science Blast we wanted an event that would be informative, inclusive and, above all, a really fun and engaging learning experience," she said.

"I’ve really enjoyed meeting the children from all around the country and learning so much from the wild and wonderful projects that they’re showcasing here this week.

"I’m also delighted that we welcomed an even split of repeat attenders and ‘first timer’ primary schools to the RDS this year, with over a quarter of all Gaelscoileanna taking part in the dedicated day for Irish speaking schools, on March 7."