STEM Module offers exciting experience to Loreto students

The STEM Module spent a day at Loreto College last month giving A Level Biology students an exciting hands-on opportunity with equipment and apparatus to which they would not usually have access.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2017, 10:47 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:11 BST
Loreto College Head of Biology Mrs Geraldine Doherty assists STEM Module facilitator and students Connie Baxter Mulvenna, Cain McKendry and Caitlin Cosgrove during their A Level Biology workshop.Loreto College Head of Biology Mrs Geraldine Doherty assists STEM Module facilitator and students Connie Baxter Mulvenna, Cain McKendry and Caitlin Cosgrove during their A Level Biology workshop.
Loreto College Head of Biology Mrs Geraldine Doherty assists STEM Module facilitator and students Connie Baxter Mulvenna, Cain McKendry and Caitlin Cosgrove during their A Level Biology workshop.

The STEM module delivered a workshop on Microscopy and use of the Electron Scanning Microscope to a group of A-Level Biology students, accompanied by their Biology teachers Mrs G Doherty and Ms S Mullan.

The students investigated stomata from the lower epidermis of Laurel leaves using a very high resolution microscope. The haemocytometer was then used to estimate the population of yeast cells in a solution and the quality of microscope and precision micropipettes, in addition students had access to images of insect parts, pollen grains and liver fluke produced by a Scanning Electron Microscope.

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The access to technological equipment of a standard not available in a school laboratory gave the students valuable experience in the use of the types of equipment more commonly found in industrial and medical laboratories. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to use some excellent equipment.

Loreto College A Level Biology students Aoife Carr and Kate Buckocoglu enjoying their workshop in the STEM Module.Loreto College A Level Biology students Aoife Carr and Kate Buckocoglu enjoying their workshop in the STEM Module.
Loreto College A Level Biology students Aoife Carr and Kate Buckocoglu enjoying their workshop in the STEM Module.

Launched in 2009, the STEM Module is a mobile laboratory and workshop equipped with everything required to deliver a state of the art learning experience to schools across the province. The STEM module project is funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and managed by the Education Authority.

Loreto College Principal Mr Michael James paid tribute to the STEM Module workshop, highlighting the quality of equipment and workshop delivery. He thanked Mrs K Brolly for organising the visit and Mrs G Doherty and Ms S Mullan for their supervision.