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The Challenge Science initiative saw more than 600 students from around the country participating in the hands-on programme led by Junior Achievement Ireland and supported by professionals in the field.
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Now in its fifth year, Challenge Science is supported in Dublin by Accenture and is endorsed by the national science promotion programme Discover Science and Engineering. The programme aims to get students aged 12 to 13 years interested in science and engineering and to encourage them to think about future study, and eventually a career, in these fields.
More than 20 employee volunteers from Accenture and representatives from the Careers Service in Tallaght IT assisted with the two-day programme of events which included a:
- Forensic experiment using the latest DNA and crime scene investigation techniques as seen on the hit TV show, CSI.
- Biotechnology introduction session in the college labs.
- Science quiz and career insights for science, technology and engineering.
- Tour of the IT Tallaght campus.
Speaking at the launch of ‘Challenge Science 2010’, president and head of engineering at IT Tallaght, Pat McLaughlin, said: “The specific aim of this initiative is to develop students’ interest in science by exposing them to the wide array of careers that exist in the field in a fun and interactive manner. We hope to show them that science is not just about petri dishes and lab coats although there will of course be plenty of experiments on the day.”
Country Managing Director of Accenture in Ireland Mark Ryan, said: “There has been, and must continue to be, a strong national focus to encourage young people to embark on careers in science and engineering. For Ireland to position itself as a true knowledge economy, it is critical that we invest in these programmes, be it via the education system, or through important initiatives such as Challenge Science. Many of the 1,200 Accenture employees in Ireland are science and engineering graduates so we are delighted to be involved with a programme that seeks to capture the interest of students in areas important to us, not only as a business but also in terms of future national economic prosperity.
“We have been involved with Junior Achievement Ireland’s classroom learning programmes for 14 years now, with over 100 Accenture employees donating their time and professional skills to assist with delivering these modules to primary and secondary school students. As with past years, it is great to see such strong support from our employees and I look forward to today’s students passing through Accenture’s doors in years to come.”
Della Clancy, executive director, Junior Achievement, commented: “Over the last five years almost 3,000 students have taken part in Challenge Science, giving them a real taste for the excitement of science and engineering in action, before they go on to make their subject choices in secondary school. Accenture’s generous support brings science to life for students from local schools and shows them the courses available at IT Tallaght, and the careers they may aim for in the future.”
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