St Colmcille's science students through to the Ulster Final!
On Thursday the 11th March 2011 five Year 12 Science students took part in a Debating Science Competition in the W5 Centre.
Our Single Award Science students Yasmin El Hertani and Laura Larkin, who were ably assisted by Aoife Campbell, Saoirse Jeffers and Jessica Storey, debated with two A-Level Grammar students from the prestigious BelfastHigh School.
The St. Colmcille's young scientists were given a by to the next around as their Round 1 competition withdrew from the competition. BelfastHigh School overcame their Round 1 opponents Bangor Grammar debating the thorny issues of the ethical issues related to Stem Cell research. This win gave the Belfast High students much confidence after debating so well.
The topic for Round 2 was the following motion:
Has nanotechnology benefited society and the environment?
Laura produced an excellent opening speech highlighting the fundamentals of the technology and some of the benefits to society. Yasmin then delivered a superb speech on the future of nanotechnology and the issues of concern. The girls then answered the questions from the judges and produced a wonderful rebuttal to Belfast Highs stance. After a very long deliberation the judges awarded the win to St. Colmcille’s High School.
Our pupils are now in the Ulster Final and will be debating against St. Catherine’s School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal on the motion:
Genetically Modified food has been beneficial to our society
Lets hope the girls are a successful and achieve the Ulster title and have the opportunity to represent Ulster in the All Ireland Finals.
The final is Thursday 24th March 2011