Pictures: Top engineers pay a visit as Kilkenny school wins special 3D printing award

A group of sixth class children in Scoil Phádraig, Ballyhale have won an award for designing and making a plastic reinforcement for the back of their chairs - one of only two such awards presented nationwide.

The device makes the chairs stronger and prevents them from breaking or cracking. They were printed on the 3D printer in school, and are now used in the class to prolong the life of the classroom chairs.

Three engineers recently came from Dublin to visit as part of the Taiscéalaí programme 2024/25 to mark the achievement.
The award was actually printed on a 3D printer in UCD, and was presented by Michael Golden, a UCD lecturer to the class.

Michael also had two PhD students with him. Deeksha Hota, from India, and Ozgun Umut Tukac, from Turkey, spoke to the class about their PhD projects.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS

Both engineers are working on how to make hip and knee replacements from titanium. Ozgun explained to the children how he mixes metals with titanium in an effort to make a more long lasting and sustainable product.

Michael finally set the children an engineering task. They were given 30 minutes to build the highest free standing tower using only sticky tape, scissors and white sheets of paper.

There were four groups in total. The structure had to be strong enough to hold up a small yellow trophy.
Michael tested the highest tower and awarded a prize to the winners in the class. The visit was very informative and it was very interesting to hear about other engineering projects. All students agreed it was a very enjoyable day with the engineers.
Written by Kate Fitzpatrick, Cade Drennan and Odhran Shefflin from sixth class at Scoil Phádraig, Ballyhale
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SOUTH KILKENNY NEWS