Over 100 Step-Up Belfast students, from eight secondary schools, travelled to Jordanstown this week to give PowerPoint presentations relating to local industries.

The students gave the presentations as a requirement of the GCE Applied Science Double-Award qualification. Specifically, Unit 1 – ‘Investigating Science at work’. All the industries involved have been kind enough to allow the students to avail of their facilities and their scientific expertise.

Parents, industrial representatives and University of Ulster staff attended the showcase event which featured pupils from Belfast area schools.

Dr Damian O’Kane, Director of Access and Educational Partnerships said:

“The success of the Step-Up programme can be attributed to the strong partnership that has been forged between schools, the University and our ‘Industrial Partners’ Tonight over 100 pupils will deliver presentations on the in depth scientific investigations that they have conducted on many of the leading science based companies and organisation in Northern Ireland

There is no doubt that our industrial partners, by providing access to their facilities and the expertise of their work force have greatly enhanced the learning experience of the Step-Up pupils.”

Pupils from St Joseph's College at the Step-Up event in UU Jordanstown:

From L: Sarah Carmichael, Laura Norris, Deborah Martin, Roisin Lavery, Caitriona O'Kane, Niamh Robinson
Seated:From L: Dr Chris Finlay, Dr Damien O'Kane,
David Beck, (Education and Training Inspectorate)

The schools taking part were Ashfield Boy’s High School
Ashfield Girls High School
Belfast Model School for Girls
Christian Brothers Secondary School
Corpus Christi College
Orangefield High School
St. Joseph’s College
St. Patrick’s College

Industrial partners were:

B9 Energy
Belfast City Council – Environmental Health Department
Bombardier
Moy Park
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Northern Ireland Water Service
Phoenix Natural Gas
Schrader Electronics

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young