Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland
celebrates Engineers week 2020!

Students from Presentation Secondary School Castleisland, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál Castleisland, Gaelscoil Aogain, Castleisland and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Tralee marked Engineers week 2020 with an exciting Wonderstruck workshop on 06th March in Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland.

One hundred and seventy-five students participated in two different workshops which challenged the students to make and launch their own rockets and powered cars. The event was facilitated by Wonderstruck, a company which has worked with schools for more than 15 years exploring Science in a hands-on, creative and spectacular way.
The presenter entertained the students with two workshops, a compressed air rocket workshop and a fan-powered car workshop with the help of their teachers.

The Compressed Air Rocket Workshop was highly practical in nature as it challenged the young people to work in groups to design, build and launch a compressed air rocket. While, the fan-powered car workshop required students to build a small fan-powered racing car. During this day, the students learned about forces, the nature and role of friction in machines, simple electrical circuits while also developing more holistic learning skills, such as teamwork, design skills and problem-solving skills which are essential for a career in engineering!

This event is part of a much extended and elaborate programme of STEM activities in Presentation Castleisland. The school is the lead school in the Department of Education and Skills ‘STEM Digital Excellence’ which aims to promote areas of STEM among new generations.

The Presentation girls are privileged to have a number of leading women in STEM visit to school and speak about their career paths. During the week Katherine O’Sullivan, Engineer also spoke to the senior girls while Susan Enright from IT Tralee and Emily Brick from Athena Analytics addressed students at a STEM showcase in the school on Thursday.

Principal Katherina Broderick described the opportunities afforded to the Presentation Students as ‘invaluable’ ‘We are extremely fortunate to be a Department of Education designated STEM school, the many workshops, visiting speakers , third level and industry links our students have experienced to date are so beneficial. The programme is growing year on year and our collaboration with the primary schools allows us to share the learning and encourage Science from primary to senior cycle students ‘ It is without doubt a most worthwhile programme and we are delighted to lead it’.