Pupils from 20 Kildare schools take part in activities at Intel as part of Engineers Week
Almost 5,000 students across Co Kildare and Ireland, from both primary and secondary schools, took part in Intel hosted activities as part of Engineers Week 2017
Engineers Week, a week long program of nationwide events with the aim of celebrating the world of engineering in Ireland, took place from March 4th to 10th with events happening across the country in the aim of creating a positive awareness and sparking enthusiasm about the engineering profession to people of various ages with little or no engineering background.
Co Kildare schools participating in the 2017 Intel Engineering Challenge were as follows:
- Maynooth Educate Together NS, Co. Kildare
- North Kildare Educate Together National School, Co. Kildare
- Mercy Convent, Naas, Co. Kildare
- Two Mile House NS, Naas, Co. Kildare
- St Laurence’s NS, Sallins, Co. Kildare
- Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
- Scoil Bhride, Prosperous Road, Co. Kildare
- Clane BNS, Prosperous Road, Co. Kildare
- Scoil na Mainistreach NS, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
- St Josephs Boys NS, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
- St Patricks NS, Athy, Co. Kildare
- Scoil San Carlo, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
- Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
- Scoil Bhride, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
- Scoil an Linbh Iosa, Prosperous, Co. Kildare
- Mary’s BNS, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
- Scoil Mhuire, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
- Laurence’s NS, Athy, Co. Kildare
- Patrick’s NS, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
- Scoil Bhride, Straffan, Co. Kildare
The budding engineers were faced with an enjoyable and informative challenge of designing and building a bridge from recycled materials. The children were encouraged to be as creative and innovative as possible. The 2nd and 3rd class students completed the challenge in their schools with an Intel engineer on hand at each challenge to assist and mentor as the participants designed and built an impressive collection of bridges.
Having Intel employees in attendance at the schools gave them the opportunity to talk to students about the types of work they are involved in as an engineer, to share with them an insight into what Intel does and to tell them about their own specific job roles. This activity in particular is an important part of Engineers Week as it gave student the opportunity to understand first hand that engineering is an exciting and diverse career and the contributions of engineers to society and societal challenges.
On Tuesday March 7th 800 primary and secondary school students had the chance to visit the Intel campus in Leixlip to take part in specially designed, interactive engineering shows delivered by Becca Smithers of ‘Science Made Simple’. ‘The show, which is called ‘A Rough Guide to Engineering’ examines how engineers design cars that go hundreds of miles an hours, build structures that can survive earthquakes, and cook food by using only mirrors. The careers driven show aims to introduce students to the wide range of careers available in engineering, and to show them that they can aspire to be engineers too.
Engineers Week this year also coincided with International Women’s Day on Wednesday March 8th and to celebrate Intel hosted a special screening of the film ‘Hidden Figures’ for students to attend. The film tells the story of three African-American women working at NASA in the 1960’s who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. These women crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.