On Thursday 2 senior teams participated in the Annual ISTA regional quiz.
The team of Sarah Fitzpatrick, Ann Byrne and Elaine Mc Donald came 4th and the other team of Aoife Hosey, Hilary Griffin and Bernie Dunne did well but weren’t in the ribbons.
Add comment November 15, 2010
St leo’s celebrated Science week with 3 science quizzes for Ist years. At lunch times Magic shows took place in the Labs.
The winners of Vouchers were
J5/J7 Helen Moffat Estther Tobin and Molly Cooper
J2/J4/J6 Aine Dunne, Margie Feeney, Roisin Collins.
J1/J3 Shauna Nolan, Ciara Mahon, and Laura Fitzpatrick.
Add comment November 15, 2010
The earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday may have shifted the Earth’s axis and created shorter days, according to scientists at Nasa. Richard Gross, a geophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said the 8.8 magnitude quake could have moved the Earth’s axis by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8cm) – enough to shorten a day by about 1.26 microseconds.
A large quake can shift huge amounts of rock and alter the distribution of mass on the planet. When that distribution changes, it changes the rate at which the planet rotates, which determines the length of a day. “The length of the day should have got shorter by 1.26 microseconds,” Gross told the Bloomberg news agency. “The axis about which the Earth’s mass is balanced should have moved by 2.7 milliarcseconds.”
Add comment March 3, 2010
In her description below we hear her own version of experiences she had during those five days.
I had the wonderful experience attending a Biochemistry and Immunology course in Trinity College from the 15th to the 19th of February. During this week Trinity College welcomed four Ttransition Year students to “push back the frontiers of science” for a week. The course was organised by Professor Cliona O’Farrelly and Professor Andrew Lloyd. This course introduces you to the world of scientific research in Trinity College. The best way to learn things is through experience and by asking questions. This was what this course was all about; experiencing real science first hand and asking lots of questions.
We were each assigned to a host lab. I was in an Immunology based research lab where all the work being done went towards developing new vaccines or cures. During the week I worked with proteins, macrophages and various cells. Ed Lavelle was the head of the research team in my host lab. My supervisor was Jim, a research scientist in the lab. Jim showed me around the lab, answered my many questions and did some of the typical experiments of that lab with me. He showed me how to do a Western Blot: a technique for separating out proteins and identifying specific proteins. He also showed me the process of preparing slides for work on the microscope.
Stephanie using the microscope to observe cells.
The microscope we used had many ‘special features’ such as laser beams to illuminate proteins which had a dye added to them, it is able to create the conditions needed for cells to survive so you can see the cells activities. It can work as a normal microscope would or it can give a more defined image by showing a slice of the cell. It can also take pictures of the cells you are viewing.
I also got to work with some undergraduate students who were working on their projects. They explained to me what their project was and what they were doing. I got to help them with the various experiments they carried out while I was in the lab (for example cells being split and an Elisa).
We were also called to Tim Mantle’s lab (pH lab) where we got the chance to try out a typical experiment of that particular lab.
We also had a tour around the Biochemistry and Immunology building ( although we still didn’t know exactly where we were going even after the tour as the building is massive). We had a health and safety talk and we did a science trail and ‘treasure hunt’. This was a self-directed tour of the entire college. We were given a map, audio pod cast (this tells you the history of Trinity College as you make your way around) and a list of questions to which we found the answers on our tour around the college. We also got to see the Doughas Hyde Art Gallery and received a very interesting tour around the Zoology Museum and the Science Gallery. Jim also brought me to see the book of Kells and the famous Long Hall.
We got to experience what college life is like and what the courses are like by talking to the students in the labs or around the building. Everyone is really nice and welcoming, you feel at home in no time.
I did this course because I love science. I was interested in these particular areas and was considering pursuing them as a career in the future. After the week I spent in Trinity doing this course I would love to go on to study Immunology in college. It was a fantastic experience and I loved every moment of it. It gives you a real insight into the world of science, of research and of the courses available. It is an invaluable experience which I would highly recommend to students interested in science and who want to “push back the frontiers of science”!
WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT FROM NEXT YEAR ONWARDS PROF. O’FARRELLY HAS OFFERED PLACES TO TWO FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS FROM ST. LEO’S ON THIS PROGRAMME.
Add comment February 25, 2010
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. If you can raed tihs, psot it to yuor fbceoosk pgae or on titwetr. Olny 55% of plepoe can raed tihs. Waht do you tihnk? Deos it wrok for ohetr lngauaegs aslo?
Add comment January 25, 2010
My Science Career A new website, penned MyScienceCareer.ie, has been launched which aims to provide resources to help people find out more about a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The website is produced by Discover Science & Engineering (DSE), the Irish Government initiative which aims to increase interest in science, technology, innovation and engineering among students, teachers and members of the public in Ireland. The DSE is also responsbible for websites like science.ie, the excellent and award winning primaryscience.ie and one of my favourite blogs myscience.ie. The new site contains a famous Irish scientists section, science related articles, a science career glossary, video interviews with scientists about their work and a wonderful “Science Ambassadors” section profiling Irish scientists of today.
Add comment January 14, 2010
Add comment December 10, 2009
Today, November 24th, marks the 150th anniversary of the first publication of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. It was met with significant resistance at the time, especially from the church, but remains a seminal work of literature. If you are wondering what all the fuss is about, why not check the book out in the library. It is well worth a read and is easy to follow. Since then, there has been enormous debate as to whether Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection is without flaw. National Geographic today publish a series of six articles looking at some difficult to explain phenomena in the story of evolution. They then outline the evolutionist argument. A great article and worth checking out.
Add comment November 24, 2009
The inaugral Catherine Mc Cauley Lecture will take place in St Leo’s College on the 16th of December at 7.15. The lecture will be delivered by journalist and broadcaster Oliva O’Leary. All are welcome to attend.
Add comment November 20, 2009
There’s water on the moon. Yes, you heard me right. Water on the moon was found by scientists. What does water on the moon mean? Will water on the moon really make a difference in our lives? These are the questions I sat out to answer.
First off, up until now our lives have functioned perfectly well without having to go in to outer space to see if we can find other water sources. With all of the other things that taxpayer euros could have been spent on, one has to wonder if water on the moon is significant.
Believe me, it is.
According to Time magazine, water on the moon is necessary if humans ever plan on living on the moon. There would have to be some form of water source, as shuttling water from Earth to the moon would be costly and time-consuming.
Further more, ice on the moon could give scientists insight in to the creation of our solar system. Polar ice has given scientists many indications of how the Earth was formed, and ice on the moon could give even more information.
While water on the moon may not sound like that big of a deal, it really is something that could be the biggest breakthrough we will ever see in our lives.
Tonight, as you are looking up at the starry skies of Carlow take a good look at the moon and remember – there’s water up there.
Add comment November 14, 2009