Leading science competition recognizes the nation’s top young scientists
Ireland’s top secondary level science students battled for Gold at the IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad (ISO) at Dublin City University (DCU). Over 350 Irish secondary school students, from 27 of the 32 counties, were challenged in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Programming and Physics in a competition designed to further their interest in science and technology.
Schools from around the country nominated their leading science students to compete in the annual ISO finals for All-Ireland Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and, ultimately, a chance to represent Ireland at the International Science Olympiads later this year.
Michael Cotter, Director of the Irish Science Olympiad and lecturer at DCU said: “This event is an ideal avenue for Ireland’s future scientists to showcase their skills to a national audience and potentially on an international stage. Each year the IBM/DCU Science Olympiad provides our students with an ideal platform to equip themselves for a career in the sciences.”
This year’s overall winners were:
- Aoife McCarthy, St Angela’s School, St Patrick’s Hill, Cork (Biology)
- Gareth Gamble, Banbridge Academy, Banbridge, Co. Down (Chemistry)
- David McCarthy, Midleton C.B.S. Midleton, Co Cork (Computer Programming)
- David Cox, Portadown College, Killicomaine Road, Co. Armagh (Physics)
These top four students (along with a panel of three other selected students) from each subject will be invited to compete at this year’s International Science Olympiads, which will be held in:
- International Biology Olympiad in Tsukuba, Japan (July)
- International Chemistry Olympiad in Cambridge, UK (July)
- International Physics Olympiad in Yucatan, Mexico (July)
- International Olympiad in Informatics in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (August)
Success on the international stage will result in Irish Gold Medal winners receiving IBM scholarships valued at €2,500 (gold medal); €1,250 (silver medal)and €750 (bronze medal). At last year’s 2008 International Olympiads, four Irish students were presented with bronze medals and a €750 IBM University Scholarship. To date IBM have awarded 51 scholarships to winners at the International Olympiads.
The annual IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad aims to stimulate the active interest of students; to promote and reward the pursuit of excellence in the sciences; and to convey the importance of advanced study and progressive learning in science.