Our 5th Year Biology students spent a sunny Friday     in Phoenix Park conducting a Grassland Habitat study as part of their biology fieldwork. The conditions were ideal for the practical session, giving students the opportunity to carry out ecological investigations. Using specialist equipment, they gathered both qualitative and quantitative data and identified a variety of plant and animal species typical of grassland ecosystems. This hands-on experience supported their classroom learning and helped develop key observational and analytical skills. The day also included discussions around conservation and sustainable practices, encouraging students to think about how individual and collective actions can contribute to protecting Ireland’s natural environments.

We would like to thank the Education Officers from Dublin Zoo’s Discovery and Learning Department for delivering engaging and informative workshops and for supporting our students throughout the day.

Congratulations to Ella Nicholson – Runner-Up Best Group Award at SciFest@Grangegorman

We are delighted to congratulate 5th Year student Ella Nicholson on her recent success at SciFest@Grangegorman, where she was awarded the Runner-Up Best Group Award for her outstanding science project. This prestigious event, held at the Technological University Dublin (Grangegorman campus), celebrates innovation and scientific inquiry among secondary school students.

Ella’s project, titled “Do We Experience Magic the Same Way? How Gender, Age, State of Mindfulness, and the Big Five Personality Traits Can Affect Our Susceptibility to Magic Tricks and How Well People Pay Attention,” explores the fascinating intersection between psychology and perception. Her research investigated how different factors—including age, gender, personality traits, and mindfulness—might influence how individuals perceive and respond to magic tricks. Participating in SciFest gave Ella the opportunity to present her findings to a panel of experts, engage with other young scientists, and gain valuable feedback on her work. Her achievement reflects a strong commitment to scientific thinking and a genuine curiosity about how we experience the world around us. We are very proud of Ella’s accomplishment and look forward to seeing where her interest in science, psychology and of course, magic, takes her next.