Blast off! TY students at Limerick school build real satellite simulation

THE SKY's the limit for one group of Limerick students as they finalise their entry for a European Space Agency (ESA) competition.

Six students from Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ have decided to put their abilities to the test, with hopes of not only building a working simulation, but to promote Gaeilge and women in the STEM world.

CanSat is an ESA initiative that challenges students to build a mini satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink.

“Our physics and maths teachers brought it into our class to tell us about it, and we all have an interest in science, so we said we may as well give it a go! It has really influenced us going forward [to choose physics],” said student Emily Nic an tSeaca.

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Emily Nic an tSeaca, Olivia Ní Fhoghlú and Faye Nig Annaidh representing half of the Laurel Hill Cólaiste FCJ team in this years European CanSat competition

CanSat is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) based competition which senior cycle students are encouraged to take part in.

“They gave us a manual so we are trying to understand it step by step - there are a lot of videos online as well to help you construct it, which is great,” added Emily.

The girls explained that by wiring the fizzy drink can inside, they then drop it from a height with a parachute attached and it should give altitude measurements just as a satellite would.

“The regional round of the competition is held in TUS Limerick at the end of February - if you get through that round, you go to the national final and there is then one team from Ireland that are sent abroad to the international final,”said team member Faye Nig Annaidh

Last year the international final was held in Italy but the 2023 location hasn’t been announced yet.

The six team members are: Faye Nig Annaidh, Olivia Ní Fhoghlú, Emily Nic an tSeaca, Elizabeth Ní Bheoláin, Heather Ní Sheanacháin and Anna Ní Nuanáin.