Mayo students shine bright at ESB Science Blast

Over 500 projects from primary schools around the country, including three Mayo schools, were showcased at this year’s ESB Science Blast.

The annual ESB Science Blast, delivered by the RDS foundation’s flagship science and technology programme, is a STEM-focused educational programme involving whole classes investigating the science behind simple questions.

Pupils from Mayo showcased an experiment and discussed their investigation with a STEM expert. 

Participating Mayo schools included Ardagh National School, St. Attracta's National School, and Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Cathair na Mairt. 

Their projects featured questions such as ‘Fooling Me Fooling You; How can one sense Dis-'Air-up'- t our other senses and fool us time after time?’, ‘Why do Jamaicans excel at sprinting?’, ‘How often is "Once in a Blue Moon”?’, and ‘An ndéanann an méid aer atá i liathróid difríocht (Does the amount of air in a ball make a difference)?’

The judging was non-competitive and aimed at growing pupils' interest and passion for STEM. 

Niamh De Loughry, Deputy Chief Executive of the RDS Foundation said: “In developing ESB Science Blast we wanted an event that would be informative, inclusive and, above all, a really fun and engaging learning experience”.

Over 55,000 children have participated in the science blast over the past six years, making it the largest primary school programme in the country, and one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Paddy Hayes, Chief Executive of ESB praised the programme, and explained how children ‘of all backgrounds and abilities’ develop skills that will help them become ‘innovative and creative problem solvers, as well as active, informed and engaged citizens’.  

The event took place over four days at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin, and included a lá speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna agus do scoileanna Ghaeltachta.

Strong themes emerging from schools this year included climate change, biodiversity, the impact of fast fashion, and questions related to physical and mental health. 

Speaking at the event in RDS Simmonscourt, MS De Loughry said it was ‘wonderful’ to see such a high turnout from schools ‘across the length and breadth of Ireland, including Mayo’.

“I’m also delighted that we welcomed an even split of repeat attenders and ‘first timer’ primary schools to the RDS this year, with over a quarter of all Gaelscoileanna taking part in the dedicated day for Irish speaking schools, on 7th March” she added. 

“I always look forward to seeing the energy, the excitement, and the celebration of curiosity at ESB Science Blast” he concluded.

Following the Dublin dates, ESB Science Blast will head to Limerick from May 21-23 and Belfast June 4. 

For more information, see the ESB Science Blast website, or follow on Instagram, Facebook, or X.