Reaching for Gold
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Cavan’s winning team members explain their project to the judges.Photos: Brian Farrell Brian FarrellImage 2 of 3
Dr Fiona Maloney, ETBI, presenting a prize to John from Cavan Youthreach for his group’s project. Brian FarrellImage 3 of 3
The Cavan Youthreach team celebrating their win. Brian FarrellThe future is bright for learners at Cavan Youthreach who brought home gold from a regional 'STEAM' event last week.
The 'Full Steam Ahead' event took place in the Dock Arts Centre in Carrick on Shannon last Wednesday, November 16.
The event ran as part of a two-year programme in partnership with Youthreach Ireland to progress its learners' knowledge in steam (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects.
“There was something lovely about seeing that their achievements were acknowledged,” says teacher at Youthreach Cavan, Margie Gaynor.
“It was a showcase, different Youthreach centres came together to show different projects they were working on. There was a competition and we won it. We were blown away.”
The Cavan group was spearheaded by a committed teacher, Aidan Carroll, and while the class knew their project was very interesting, they had no idea it would claim them first place at the event.
“We knew our project was very interesting, but we didn’t know what any of the other projects were. Ours is a Wallace and Gromit type machine. We have the letters CMYR and it uses renewable energy to transport a ball around each letter without using kinetic energy,” explained Margie.
Cavan Youthreach Centre received a fantastic prize of a laser printer as a result of their win.
“We won a laser printer with a workshop, so we have to build the laser printer ourselves and we get a workshop on how to build it and how to use it. The learners will be forever learning.”
The event also incorporated hands-on workshops for students to take part in to develop their knowledge further.
The teacher concluded by commending the work done by the students and teachers at Youthreach Cavan.
“For whatever reason education didn’t work out for you whether you were disinterested or expelled, or there’s just a bad feeling at home about authority. When they come into Youthreach, they come into small classes and work at their own pace. The whole idea is that you progress them to their full potential.
“It’s a second chance at education.”