NI pupils take prizes in essay competition

Pupils from Northern Ireland took all three prizes in the Royal Irish Academy/Irish Times post primary science chemistry essay competition.

The Northern Ireland Minister of Education, Mr Martin McGuinness, presented the prizes over the weekend.

He also noted the coincidence that two of the winners were from his constituency.

The competition was open to students from all over Ireland and entrants were asked to write an essay which described in ordinary English some aspect of research in chemistry. Its purpose is to emphasis the importance of clear and understandable communication of science.

Ms Grainne McKenna of St Mary's Grammar School, Mag herafelt, Co Derry won first prize for her essay on oxygen and how it is a vital ingredient for life although poisonous. She won a striking John Coen bronze representing the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Mnemosyne, and a cheque for £250, both sponsored by AGB Scientific Ltd.

Second prize went to Ms Rebecca Bradley of the Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, Co Down, for her essay on phthalates in plastics.

Ms Grainne McCormack of St Joseph's Convent Grammar School, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, won third prize for her essay on hard water. Both received cheques for £100 provided by AGB Scientific Ltd.

Mr McGuinness praised the RIA, The Irish Times and AGB Scientific for organising the event and the success of the entries from Northern Ireland. He also noted the academy's 215-year history and its all-Ireland remit. "The fact that the RIA has been around so long as an all-Ireland body means they have been ahead of the politics," he said.

"It is tremendous that I have the opportunity to present these prizes," he stated. The competition was important because it increased students' knowledge of science and strengthened their interest in the sciences.

Students' willingness to take up the sciences had declined in recent years, he said. "There is a crucial need to reverse this trend."

It was a remarkable coincidence that the three winners all came from the North, he said. "Unlike Jeb Bush, I have no connection whatsoever with making the decisions," he added in a passing reference to the stalled US elections. The RIA's president, Prof David Spearman, highlighted the academy's all-Ireland remit and its international connections. "We are an all-Ireland academy and we are very proud of that."