Success for Ireland at the 17th European Science Olympiad

Irish Olympiad team, mentored by DCU staff, win gold and silver medals at European Science Olympiad

Students from Ireland, mentored by DCU Faculty of Science and Health staff and postgraduates, achieved massive success last week at the 17th European Union Science Olympiad (EUAO) held at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCT NOVA) in Almada, Portugal.

The team of Thomas Connolly (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Oscar Despard (Sandford Park School, Dublin) and Oisín Ó Feinneadha (St. Peter's College, Wexford) finished in third place overall and brought home Ireland’s second ever gold medal in the event, while the team of Hanna Kissane (Institute of Education, Dublin), Eilís O'Halloran (Mount Mercy College, Cork) and Tymoteusz Zielinski (Patrician Brothers Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) won a silver medal.

EUSO is a team-based practical science competition consisting of integrated tasks across biology, chemistry and physics which aims to enthuse students for science and to challenge them to get the best out of themselves and to meet like-minded students from across the EU.

The Ireland Team were accompanied by Conor Akintola, School of Biotechnology (biology mentor), Assoc. Prof. Paul van Kampen, School of Physical Sciences (physics mentor) and Assoc. Prof. Odilla Finlayson, School of Chemical Sciences (country co-ordinator and chemistry mentor).

In addition to the team mentors, many staff in DCU Faculty of Science and Health contribute to the successful training and support of the teams. This year Graham Dodrill and Katarzyna Zdrojewska (School of Biotechnology), Dr Pat O’Malley, John McLoughlin, and Aisling McCarthy (School of Chemical Sciences) and Dr Jennifer Gaughran, Henry Barry, and Liam Lawlor (School of Physical Sciences) provided invaluable assistance in running the competitions and the training. The support of SEC in identifying students with highest grades and financial support by Department of Education and Skills (International Section) is gratefully acknowledged. Congratulations to all involved.

Caption (from left): Paul van Kampen (Physics Mentor), Odilla Finlayson (Country Co-ordinator and Chemistry Mentor), Oisín Ó Feinneadha (Team A, Gold), Tymoteusz Zielinski (Team B, Silver), Thomas Connolly (Team A, Gold), Hannah Kissane (Team B, Silver), Oscar Despard (Team A, Gold), Eilís O'Halloran (Team B, Silver), Constança Albuquerque (Team Guide, Portugal), Conor Akintola (Biology Mentor).