Fresh from the Christmas break, the 6th classes dove straight into the excitement of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Their projects explored a diverse range of fascinating topics, including the effects of virtual reality on motion sickness, how our brains process taste, a comparison of store-brand versus name-brand products, the science behind rollercoasters, and the impact colours have on our mood.
Below are some snapshots from the event, along with a few firsthand accounts from the students, sharing their experiences and insights from the exhibition.
The Science Behind Rollercoasters By Michael Conway and Robbie Hayes.
Our class went to BT Young Scientists on
January 10th, 2025. Our project was the science behind Roller Coasters. This is what we did.
· We explored how Roller Coasters stay on their tracks, how they go over ramps and how they go around loop-the-loops.
· We researched the history of Roller Coasters, how they have changed over time and we looked at different rollercoasters around the world.
· We investigated how they convert potential energy into kinetic energy as well as the role of inertia and how Newton's third law affects them.
· We constructed a rollercoaster using K'nex. We also built a Paper Roller Coaster and even a Roller Coaster Made of Lollipop Sticks.
To demonstrate the effects of centripetal force, we swung a water bucket around our heads and were fascinated to see that the water would stay inside the bucket.
Even though our class did go to BT YS we only competed in the primary science fair. But we still thoroughly enjoyed it as it is a great chance for students to dive into exciting science projects and really stretch their creativity. Even though there was no winner we still had great fun there. It is about learning new things, thinking outside the box, and working together to solve problems. These skills are especially important in science, but also in everyday life.
We look forward to even more exciting projects in the future, and we hope all our classmates will be participating in next year’s secondary school competition.
Grandparents’ Day was organised by the 6thclass students of Ms. Kieran’s class. Unfortunately, the original Grandparents’ Day, which was organised as part of Catholic Schools Week, had to be postponed due to Storm Eowyn on Friday the 24th of January. It was then moved to Friday the 7th of February.
In preparation for the day, the classes were very busy putting up art around the school, decorating their classrooms and making other little sentimental bits of art for the grandparents to take home. Along with all the art the students were also preparing songs and performances for when grandparents visit the classrooms. There were a few singers and dancers from 5th and 6th class who dazzled grandparents with their moves and voices in the hall. The night before Grandparents’ Day was a busy one as all the sixth-class students had to bake or buy treats for the following day. That morning, all the treats for the Grandparents were plated up.
As well as treats, there were teas and coffees to enjoy. Shortly after the Grandparents arrived, there was a lovely prayer service before they went to their grandchild’s classroom. If there was any Irish to be spoken it was at the Bord Gaeilge which was set up by PJPs very own Coiste na Gaeilge. Grandparents from each year level came and went until it was almost the end of the day. After they all left, there were still plenty of treats that had not been used so we sent them to Talbot Lodge Nursing Home.
We would like to say Thank You to Fr. Martin and Ronan who took time out to come along on the day. A big thank you to the grandparents, pupils, teachers and SNAs who helped make the day as special and memorable as it was.
By Isabella & Georgia (Room 5)
