Autism is a complex disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, form friendships and interact with the outside world. It is estimated that one in every 110 children, and one in every 70 boys, is somewhere on the ‘autism spectrum’. Here in Ireland, the help available for autistic children has been poor, and the lack [...]
Archive for the ‘EDUCATION’ Category
7 Nov
Let’s draw a Finn line in education
This article was first published in The Sunday Times on 06/11/2011 With Irish secondary-school students still performing poorly in maths and science compared with their peers in other developed nations, it is time to look at the success of the acknowledged “market leader”: Finland. Finnish students have consistently ranked highly in maths and science in [...]
3 May
What attracts people to a career in science?
Why do some people want to become scientists, while others avoid science subjects in school at all costs? Laura Brennan and Megan Oliver, Transition Year students at Dominican College Drumcondra, north Dublin, sought some answers to these important questions. Both Laura and Megan are keen on science, and come from a school that is keen [...]
5 Apr
‘Rachel’s Water’ can prevent water shortages
First Published in March-April ed. of Science Spin It seems odd that Ireland should ever experience water shortages, especially in recent years when rural Ireland has been repeatedly flooded by rainfall. That’s the way it is, that’s the way it always has been, but 14-year-old Rachel Eustace, a 2nd year at Ard Scoil na Tríonóid [...]
