Derry pupils go cosmic!
Boys and girls from local primary schools have just competed in this year's WELB/Sentinus Science and Technology Challenge Final.
Themed in line with the International Year of Astronomy, pupils were told that astronauts had been working hard to repair some solar panels on the International Space Station, one of which had become stranded outside the craft.
The challenge in this year’s final was to design and construct a space craft with doors which can open and close remotely to allow the stranded astronaut to enter.
The doors were required to close when the astronaut was inside. The pupils, in teams of three, were provided with a limited range of raw materials and were given one and a half hours to complete the task.
Themed in line with the International Year of Astronomy, pupils were told that astronauts had been working hard to repair some solar panels on the International Space Station, one of which had become stranded outside the craft.
Donemana PS scooped the top award for the second consecutive year. The runners-up were Culmore PS Derry; Gibson PS Omagh; Good Shepherd PS Derry and Strabane PS, who will all forward to compete in the Seagate Young Innovators final in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast tomorrow
In presenting the awards, Conor McNelis, Contracts Director with local Civil Engineering Contracting firm PT McWilliams Ltd, paid tribute to all of the schools and pupils. He said: “I can see from the creations today that the pupils have displayed tremendous ingenuity and creativity during the competition and have solved the challenge through a range of innovative and imaginative solutions. In the day to day business of civil engineering pre-planning is a must as well as ongoing problem-solving, so it bodes well for the future of our economy to see first-hand the kinds of activities young people are given opportunities to engage in.”
He continued: “I am really impressed by the level of understanding of technology the boys and girls displayed. I understand all of the pupils here have come through heats to reach the final of the competition, so you are all winners to get here today.”
The competition was organised by WELB and sponsored by Sentinus and P.T. McWilliams Ltd.
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Weather for Derry
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
