BT Young Scientist 2020
St. Mary’s College Galway had three participating projects at this year’s BTYSTE, all of whom were very well received by the judges. 14-year-old third year student Dan Carey was the youngest of the three with his project entitled ‘An Investigation into Niche Feeding amongst Leaf Fragmenting Macrofauna’. Entered into the Biological and Ecological Science section and focusing on ‘where all the fallen leaves go’, the project explored the breaking down of common Irish leaves by invertebrates such as millipedes and woodlice, to show the importance of these organisms to the environment, and to analyse their feeding habits.
Transition Year students Cormac Hannon and Aaron Fahey correlated students’ motivation type
with their choice of subjects for Leaving Certificate to determine if there were significant connections, or vice versa, with their project entitled ‘The Motivation behind subject choice at Senior Cycle’. Like Dan they received very favourable judges’ comments, and gained great experience of interacting with the public.
The third project took second place in Senior Group category of the Social and Behavioural Section. In this project fifth year students Mircea Tabalae, Nathan McNeela and Cathal Forde set out to explore the effect of stimulant drinks on reaction times and 
awareness, basing their project around the RSA ‘Tiredness Kills’ campaign. Although indeed showing that there is an initial boost from drinking stimulant beverages such as coffee, the boys also showed that once the effects wear off the slump that follows led to less awareness than was present at the initial starting point. The judges, chief amongst them Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch, praised the amount of work and detail shown by the students, and also the innovative way that they had set about attempting to improve road safety.
Photographs from the Exhibition
Construction Technology Room Official Opening
/in Homepage Featured /by acareyWe welcomed Bishop Brendan Kelly to the College on Wednesday January 29th to officially bless and open our excellent new Woodwork/Constructive Technology laboratory.
Photographs Link
Letter to Parents / Guardians 27th January 2020
/in Homepage Featured, News /by ksweeney27th January 2020
Re: Important Dates
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Please find the following dates below for your attention.
Upcoming Student Retreats
An Tobar Nua are kindly facilitating one day retreats for all our students. The retreats last for the entire school day. All students are to attend first class as normal for roll call. Further information regarding An Tobar Nua is available on their website at https://antobarnua.com/retreats/
28th January 2020 – 6th Year Students
29th January 2020 – 5th Year Students
5th February 2020 – 1st Year Students
10th March 2020 – 3rd Year Students
12th March 2020 – 2nd Year Students
20th March 2020 – TY Students
Mock Exams 2020
The mock examinations for 3rd and 6th year students start next Wednesday 12th February 2020. All students have received exam timetables. Please email the office if you would like a copy or click on the following links (JC Mock). (LC Mock)
Best wishes to all our students in their exams.
Please email the school office ( office@stmaryscollege.ie ) if you have any queries.
Kindest regards,
Mr.Sweeney
BT Young Scientist 2020
/in Homepage Featured, Uncategorized /by acareyBT Young Scientist 2020
St. Mary’s College Galway had three participating projects at this year’s BTYSTE, all of whom were very well received by the judges. 14-year-old third year student Dan Carey was the youngest of the three with his project entitled ‘An Investigation into Niche Feeding amongst Leaf Fragmenting Macrofauna’. Entered into the Biological and Ecological Science section and focusing on ‘where all the fallen leaves go’, the project explored the breaking down of common Irish leaves by invertebrates such as millipedes and woodlice, to show the importance of these organisms to the environment, and to analyse their feeding habits.
Transition Year students Cormac Hannon and Aaron Fahey correlated students’ motivation type
with their choice of subjects for Leaving Certificate to determine if there were significant connections, or vice versa, with their project entitled ‘The Motivation behind subject choice at Senior Cycle’. Like Dan they received very favourable judges’ comments, and gained great experience of interacting with the public.
The third project took second place in Senior Group category of the Social and Behavioural Section. In this project fifth year students Mircea Tabalae, Nathan McNeela and Cathal Forde set out to explore the effect of stimulant drinks on reaction times and
awareness, basing their project around the RSA ‘Tiredness Kills’ campaign. Although indeed showing that there is an initial boost from drinking stimulant beverages such as coffee, the boys also showed that once the effects wear off the slump that follows led to less awareness than was present at the initial starting point. The judges, chief amongst them Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch, praised the amount of work and detail shown by the students, and also the innovative way that they had set about attempting to improve road safety.
Photographs from the Exhibition