Technology and Design

This year, the Sentinus Engineering Education Scheme was successfully completed by four year 14 pupils, Julie Coulter, Lorcan Gallagher, Niall Gallagher and Matthew Murray.  Starting in September, they worked on a project with Harland and Wolff and our link engineer Stephen Hanna.  The team brief was to survey and evaluate the present costs, efficiency and environmental implications of energy use at the Queen’s Island site in Belfast. Click on the image below to find out more and view photographs.

The STEM bus visited Aquinas on Friday 18th June and showed us how to challenge our minds. Students from year 9 had the chance to experiment with data logging techniques where they measured the effectiveness of deodourants, laser cutting, micro-writing and investigations using a range of microscopes including an electron microscope. This mobile laboratory facility gives young learners a unique insight into the scientific world and the opportunity to develop their talents in an unusual environment.

This was an exciting day for the students as they spent the afternoon with Fellows from the Royal Society who were visiting. Nick von Behr, Education Policy Manager for the Royal Society and Rosalind Mist (SCORE), Science Community Representing Education) Manager. Click on the image below to view photographs from the event.

On 15th January, we welcomed Year 10 pupils, their parents and pupils from St Joseph’s college to the Aquinas STEM careers workshops.  The aim of this initiative was to inform and educate our pupils about career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, to help them make informed decisions about their subject choices and future career paths.To find out more and view photographs from the event click the image below.

Congratulations to the Year 13 team who won the Young Engineers award at the Young innovators Competition at The Odyssey on 12th June.

Click on the image to view some photographs from the competition and some details abot the winning team.

Click the image above to view some photographs from the teams flying visit.

This scheme provides opportunities for schools and companies to work together on a common theme. Each participating school is allocated a co-ordinating engineer by the school’s partner company. Aquinas Diocesan Grammar school team has been linked with The Royal Air Force, who provided us with a design brief which is a real-life problem.

To find out more about the initiative and the awards generated click on the image below.