Humble Beginnings

Picture the scene! A room in a temporary annex. It is used for classes, home economics, assemblies and, believe it or not, science. Science teacher, Mark Sartini (the only science teacher) is proving that with no equipment, minimal chemicals and two sinks you can still teach science. CCC science in 1995. From such humble beginnings the Science Department has come a long way.

We've come a long way

Today the college boasts five laboratories, two demonstration rooms and a staff complement of fifteen. All junior certificate students study science as one of their core subjects. This follows on to Leaving certificate level where it is a rarity for a student not to take at least one of the three sciences available. Indeed many students study two and some opt for all three.

Were the teaching of science in the school to be only about the numbers and exam success of students in the subjects that of itself would be enough. But science in CCC is about so much more. The philosophy of the department is about opening the minds of students to the wonders of the world around them. The science teachers seek to give all students an understanding of themselves and their surroundings in a way that that benefits them in every facet of their lives.

This philosophy has been reflected in a number of different activities.

Science Tour

The "Science Tour to London" has become a bi-annual fixture in the college's calendar. First organised in 1997, the tour affords students the chance to visit the great scientific museums in London to experience science first hand. It is a great educational aid to those who partake and many teachers will attest to the huge level of interest that it inspires in students.

Young Scientists Exhibition

Over the years many students from the school have competed with varying degrees of success in the ESAT Young Scientists Exhibition. Award winners over the years have included Sinead Ní Riada and Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin in 2004, and Aoife Ní Mhaoileoin in 2001.

Science Olympiads

More recently the school has become a major competitor in the Irish Science Olympiads, held in D.C.U. each year. For the past two years, we have had students competing in both the Physics and Chemistry sections. These are competitions where students compete at a national level to represent Ireland at international level. The standard expected in these events goes well beyond the classroom level and great credit is due to all the students who have represented the College with distinction.
In the past two years, the college has seen great success at this level. In 2004, Aoife Ní Mhaoileoin won the gold medal at the Irish Physics Olympiad. She then went on to represent Ireland in the European Union Science Olympiad, where she won a silver medal. This year, Martina Fezrakmanova won the silver medal in the same competition and and will represent the country in Galway this May. We would like to wish her every success. In so doing, these students have inspired others to strive for similar heights and more international acclaim may well await the school in coming years.

Going forward

In the technological world in which we live scientific advancement will continue. Here in CCC the Science Department is committed to keeping abreast of this change and preparing our students, not only for exams, but also to prepare them for their lives in our modern world. The challenges have changed since that first lab, bereft of equipment.. The excitement and challenge of moulding the scientists and engineers of tomorrow remains the same. Long may we all thrive on that excitement.