BT Young Scientists Generation Information
Ever notice how much information we're bombarded with every two minutes? These days we don't have to look far for the info we want, sports results, global news and celeb scandals are available at our fingertips with the touch of a button. We are Generation Information, probably the most informed teens the world has ever seen! And not surprisingly armed with all of this info, we have a few opinions! After the results of a survey on over 200 students showed that 70% of us feel adults do not value our opinions, the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is giving us a platform and a chance to communicate these opinions, after all, it's good to talk. Eight members of 'Generation Information' have been handed a camera with no script or direction, the only rule is that we speak our mind on issues that affect us every day! Take a look at our videos, do you agree with our views? The 2013 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS (Royal Dublin Society), Dublin from January 9th -- 12th. For more information on the exhibition visit www.btyoungscientist.com or connect on Facebook or Twitter. Alternatively, you can call 1800 924 362 (ROI) or 0800 917 1297 (from NI).1. Recession: this video was made by Josh O’Connell from Killian's College, Bray.[youtube id='MLx4mnFoFuk' width='980' height='540']2. Educational Preparation: this was made by Daniel Hobbs from Maynooth Post primary and asks students do they feel the education system has adequately prepared them for life after school.[youtube id='z3NHYcvCKRo' width='980' height='540']3. The Effects of Reality TV: this was made by Ciara Judge from Kinsale Community College.[youtube id='zGAmOwA5G_U' width='980' height='540'] 4. Daniel Hobbs - Social Preparation[youtube id='mNcmnvZQYNE' width='980' height='540'] 5. Michael Upton - Rural Living[youtube id='i_XFPncDetI' width='980' height='540'] 6. Daniel Nelson - Can Sport Help to Keep a Healthy Balance[youtube id='cWPTUAMSnVg' width='980' height='540']
School League Tables 2012
Following communications from a number of schools and individual students that there appear to have been a large number of inaccuracies in the "School League Tables" (which were widely published in the National Media this week), we are encouraging students and parents who read these tables to take them with a large pinch of salt. Even when accurate, school league tables only focus on one specific aspect of the student experience, and do not in any way fully reflect the development and many other achievements made throughout the school experience thanks to the hard word of students, parents and teachers alike, and we discourage anyone from using them as a significant measure of school performance.
New Junior Cycle Puts Students at its Heart
ISSU welcomes details of Junior Cycle reform
The Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) warmly welcomes the details of Junior Cycle Reform which Minister Ruairi Quinn has announced today. The changes which have been announced today will put the student at the centre of their own education, and go a long way to ensuring that learning outcomes rather than exam performance are the main focus of junior cycle education in Ireland for years to come. The presence of English, Irish, Maths and Science as standardised tests will ensure that at it's core, the new Junior Cycle will preserve academic integrity, and it provides a clear statement on the importance of science in addition to the traditional core subjects of English, Irish and Maths. ISSU Education Officer, Brendan Power said: “The new Junior Cycle has the capacity to revolutionise the educational experience of future second-level students in Ireland. I firmly believe that the new Junior Cycle will result in a more practical and functional education for students and prepare them for life and future education, rather than train them for exams”.
CSPE Action Project Initiative
Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland
IHRC invites CSPE students to submit human rights images for national exhibition
Ensuring that everyone everywhere, including Ireland, can live "equal in dignity and rights" is at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Young people can play an active role in making this principle a reality and in so doing help build a culture of respect for human rights in Irish society. Education is an empowering factor and Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) aims to foster a spirit of active citizenship based on human rights; nurturing knowledge, skills and agency. The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is inviting CSPE students to make the human rights of people in Ireland the focus of their CSPE Action Project. We are asking them to play a prominent role in promoting human rights by creating images that express what human rights in Ireland mean to them for display in their schools or community, and at Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland, a national exhibition organised by the IHRC at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield Dublin 7 from 27 February to 6 March 2013. The Express Yourself! initiative is being organised by the IHRC in collaboration with the Association of CSPE Teachers (ACT); Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU); the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST); and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). Aims of Express Yourself! The IHRC was established in 2000 under statute to promote and protect human rights in Ireland. A key aspect of our work is to support education that strengthens human rights as knowing about human rights is the first step towards protecting them. Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland aims to foster in CSPE students a greater understanding of human rights, empathy with people whose human rights are not being met and encouragement to promote awareness of the importance of protecting human rights in Ireland. Producing and exhibiting human rights images developed as part of such a collaborative process as the CSPE Action Project will also give concrete expression and validation to students’ concerns about human rights and what actions we as a society need to take to secure everyone’s rights. Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights is a follow-on to Human Rights Framed by Young People Exhibition organized by the IHRC with the Law Society of Ireland in 2008 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Express Yourself! on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012 Every year on International Human Rights Day, 10 December, people everywhere are asked to come together to celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). As part of the Express Yourself! initiative, the IHRC is encouraging students to organise an event in their school or community to display their images and promote human rights and the enduring relevance of the UDHR more than 60 years after its adoption by the United Nations.Express Yourself! Exhibition Human Rights images produced by CSPE students will be displayed at the Express Yourself!, national exhibition at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7. The closing date to submit images is Wednesday, 16 January 2013. The Exhibition will officially open on 27 February 2013 and the images will be on show until 6 March. Application details are available on the IHRC’s website www.ihrc.ie/cspe Express Yourself! Resources and Support The IHRC is offering a range of supports to aid both teachers and students. 6-Step Guides for Teachers and Students to Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland are being sent to CSPE Co-ordinators in all schools. The Guide is designed as a complement to CSPE textbooks and CSPE Action Project resources produced by other organisations. A similar guide is available for CSPE students. A section of the IHRC website is dedicated to Express Yourself! containing a range of human rights resources and information for both teachers and students. See www.ihrc.ie/cspe
For further information on Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland, please contact Fidelma Joyce at the IHRC. Tel: 01 8589601 or email: expressyourself@ihrc.ie
ISSU Congratulates Students on their Junior Cert Results
12th September 2012 On the day of their results, the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) wishes all those receiving their Junior Certificate results today the very best of luck. However, the ISSU appeals to students to be responsible and mindful to others in their celebrations. Results this year are broadly in line with previous years, and we are encouraged to see an increase in the proportion of students opting for higher level in core subjects such as English, Irish and Maths. The ISSU is encouraging all students to enjoy celebrating their well-deserved results, but to stay safe and do so responsibly. ISSU Education Officer, Brendan Power said: “Getting their Junior Certificate results is a landmark in most young people’s lives and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on their hard-earned results. It is heartening that there has been an increase in the proportion of students taking core subjects at higher level, and I hope that this trend will continue in future years”. ISSU President, Dylan Grace said: “While many people are currently discussing the new Junior Cycle syllabus, it is important that we all take a moment to congratulate all students of what will soon be the “old” Junior Cert on the three years of hard work and effort which has hopefully been rewarded with today’s results”.
Take stock and plan for your future. Bonus points certainly add up
PRESS STATEMENT 20/08/2012
Irish Second-Level Students' Union
Take stock and plan for your future
Bonus points certainly add up.
Consider you options carefully and say thanks to bonus points pushes you closer to where you want to be.
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to wish all students the very best of luck with their CAO applications today, however the ISSU urges all students to take time to asses your options. Most students are very apprehensive this morning as they consider their options carefully. Many have close to the same points, or slightly less than what their course was last year, they are extremely concerned that the points could rise and they will miss out. The Union has welcomed the overall improvements in Maths results this year, however we caution the success of ‘Project Maths’. Speaking today, ISSU education officer, Brendan Power spoke of the calculated decision risk by some students. “Exam candidates made the rationale and calculated decision to work harder, to put themselves under pressure, and exhausting themselves to get them where they needed to be. Project Maths is still far from perfect and must be seriously looked at. However I would like to compliment and praise the decision to increase the points allocated to higher level maths”. Maths results overall have improved, and the main reason for this, we believe is the introduction of bonus points in the subject two years ago - adding to the pressure and the pressure cooker that is the points race and moving us further and further from an equitable and fair college entry system. Dylan Grace, President of ISSU echoed this ‘’unfortunately students who have taken the Ordinary Level Paper are now at a severe disadvantage, and many are struggling to obtain their required college course. More students took the Higher Level maths paper to cash in on the points incentive, adding further pressure on students and adding fuel to the already pressurised points race. I, like many am still not convinced nor satisfied with Project Maths”. Students are urged to take time to asses their options and consider their futures carefully. The NPCpp helpline is available on 1800 265 165 and further information is available from the ISSU website (issu.ie) or by contacting the ISSU Team directly. We would like to remind students that if you do not get your first choice it is not the end of the world. There are many different routes into your course and you should seek advice if you are in this situation. It is recommended that you view all exam scripts should you have a concern about particular grades, and exhaust all efforts in getting where you want to be. *****************ENDS *****************Contact: 01 443 4461, communications@issu.ieNotes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie