| 2005 |
|
YEAR BOOK |
Dublin City University
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IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad 2004-05
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In early October 2004 every second level school/college in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland received letters addressed to the Head Biology, Head Chemistry, Head Physics and Head Maths/Computer teachers. They were invited to nominate their best students in their subject to participate in the IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad in DCU. The list of finalists was posted on the Internet at http://www.dcu.ie/olympiads.
As in previous years between 30% � 40% of the senior finalists came from Northern Ireland. Because of the different syllabi however an equal number of medals are awarded, north and south. Panels of twelve students were formed in each subject. The international teams were selected from these panels following additional training by the DCU science and computing teaching staff later in the year. The two Junior Science Olympiads (under 15 and under 16) are open to students from the Republic of Ireland only.
Professor Richard O Kennedy (Biology) Drs. Paraic James (Chemistry), Charlie Daly (Computer Programming), Eilish Mc Loughlin (Physics) and Odilla Finlayson (EUSO) who are each responsible for one section of the Olympiad had teams of DCU staff and postgraduate students ready to administer, supervise and correct the tests.
In the evening, the students, many accompanied by their parents and teachers, crowded into a packed Larkin Theatre for the closing ceremony. Michael A. Cotter (ISO Director) opened the proceedings by welcoming Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Education & Science, Barry O'Brien, Governmental Programmes Executive � IBM, Leo Enright, Chairman of "Discover Science & Engineering", Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU, Professor Han Vos, DCU, Breeda Connaughton DES and Anna McKeown, IBM. He thanked the parents and teachers for their support and encouragement of these talented young Irish scientists and IBM, the Department of Education & Science and the Forf�s Discover Science & Engineering programme for sponsoring this event. He was particularly appreciative of the tremendous effort put in by the DCU staff and postgraduate students in bringing the 2004-05 IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad to a successful conclusion.
Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Education & Science, Barry O'Brien, Leo Enright and Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski thanked everyone involved, highlighted the importance of science both in the school curriculum and in the wider community and expressed their delight at the numbers of students taking part.
Medal & Awards
Barry O'Brien, IBM, presented the "Pauline Knight Outstanding Achievement Award" to Martin Orr, Methodist College, Belfast for winning bronze, silver and gold International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) medals over the past three years. Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Education & Science presented gold, silver and bronze medals to the winners in each category.
Under 15 Category (IJSO)
SCIENCE
Darren Scully, St. Joseph's CBS, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Joshua Darcey, St. Aidan's Comp., Cootehill, Co. Cavan
Sean O' Dwyer, Causeway Comp., Causeway, Co. Kerry
Under 16 Category (EUSO)
BIOLOGY
Alana Gibney, Finglas Institute of Education, Dublin 2
Aoibheann Brady, Loreto College, Drumkeen, Co. Cavan
Teresa O' Dowd, Carrick on Shannon Comm Sch, Co. Leitrim
CHEMISTRY
Sile McSweeney, Scoil Mhuire, Wellington Rd., Cork
Aislinn Rooney, Loreto Sec. Sch., Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
Fintan Ryan, Blackrock College, Co. Dublin
PHYSICS
Aman Yadav, St. Colman's College, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Martina Feyzrakhmanova, Castleknock Comm. Col., Dublin 15
Loic Belletre, P.B.C., Mardyke, Cork
Senior Category (International)
BIOLOGY (IBO)
David Mitchell, Cookstown High School, Co. Tyrone
Susan Spillane, St Angela's College, Cork
Patrick Walker, Wesley College, Dublin 16
Charlene Tennyson, St. Michael's Gram. Sch., Lurgan, Co. Armagh
CHEMISTRY (IChO)
Fiachra Knox, Gormanston College, Co. Meath
Catherine Mc Closkey, Thornhill College, Co. Derry
Alexey Pokrovskiy, Douglas Community School, Cork
Faith Henning, Banbridge Academy, Co. Down
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING (IOI)
Martin Orr, Methodist College, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Cian Hughes, Gonzaga College, Dublin 6
Stephen Dolan, Colaiste Cholmcille, Co. Donegal
Alex Clossick, Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare
PHYSICS (IPhO)
Dominic Durey, St. Columb's College, Co. Derry
Geoffrey Sheil, St. Columba's College, Dublin 16
Ady Abdelhaq, Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary
Andrew Browne, Methodist College, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Contact: Michael A. Cotter, Director, Irish Science Olympiad,
DCU, Dublin 9; E-mail: IJSO Vice President