Bridge building at Knockskeagh school

KNOCKSKEAGH National School in Clonakilty was to the forefront of West Cork schools encouraging all students, parents and the public to get involved in Engineers Week 2017. 

A seven-day programme of nationwide events last week celebrated the world of engineering in Ireland. 

Engineers Week encouraged primary and post-primary students, their teachers and parents, to explore the exciting world of engineering, as well as highlighting the diverse career opportunities engineering offers. 

While Knockskeagh National School ran a number of engineering-based classroom activities, quizzes and competitions throughout each class in the school during the week, they also hosted a bridge building competition.

The competition involved 5th and 6th class students working in teams against one another to build the strongest bridge. They were provided with just lollipop sticks and glue. The teams used their engineering skills to complete the challenge. After completion of the construction of each bridge, testing began, as each bridge had weights applied to establish its Failure Load. 

The overall winners were eventually announced as pupils Katelyn Walsh, Tadhg O’Neill and Davina McCarthy. The prizes for the winners were kindly sponsored by the current builders of the school’s extension, Hurley and White Builders in Dunmanway. 

See www.engineersweek.ie.