Debating Science Issues 2010
Clonakilty Community College Victorious in Munster Regional Final of national Debating Science Issues Competition
Clonakilty Community College are the winners of the Munster Regional Final of Debating Science Issues, a schools science debating competition. Clonakilty Community College at the Final which took place in Lifetime Lab, Lee Rd, Cork, recently. The confident transition year team from Clonakilty persuaded a panel of judges, which included a doctor, scientist and a journalist, that “the entire population should be immunised against seasonal flu and potentially pandemic animal influenzas such as swine flu”.
Debating Science Issues is a national Science Debating Competition co-ordinated by research and discovery centres on the island of Ireland and is funded by the Wellcome Trust. The competition encourages young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. Debates in the Munster region are being co-ordinated by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) and Tyndall National Institute. Munster schools taking part in the competition initially received 3hour workshops for a group of 10-12 students to facilitate a discussion forum on the ethical issues raised by either Genetically Modified Food (delivered by the APC) or Nanotechnology (delivered by Tyndall). Schools teams then debate a motion related to the initial workshop in the regional heats. From there, the debating motions are circulated so that students debate on an array of controversial topical issues including stem cell research, genetically modified food, health and self testing, nanotechnology, vaccination, and animal testing.
Participating teacher Mary Collins from Clonakilty Community College said of the initiative “The experience has been invaluable in terms of developing the girls’ public speaking skills, their research skills and their scientific knowledge”.
Debaters in the Munster Regional Final were challenged by judges, fellow students, teachers and audience members to defend their argument. The winning team from Clonakilty Community College travelled to the national finals at the Science Gallery in Dublin on 15th April 2010 where they defeated St Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry Co. Sligo. In a national semi-final before being narrowly defeated by Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, South Belfast in the national final. Munster has a strong record in the national finals with students from St Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom, having won the national final of the competition in 2009 and Ballincollig Community School winning the first national final of the competition in 2008.
Clonakilty Community College
Speakers: At the Munster Regional final, Evelyn McSweeney and Lucy Anne Edmunds, supported by a team of researchers from their 4th year class. At the National Final Evelyn McSweeney and Bryan Finn
Teacher: Ms Mary Collins
Christ King
Speakers: Molly Forsythe and Priya Sarkar, supported by a team of researchers from their 4th year class.
Teacher: Ms Laura McNamara
