View source for Athlone students wowed by magic and mystery of engineering

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| publication = The Westmeath Independent
| file = 2007-03-03 Westmeath Independent.jpg
| px = 450
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| date = 2007-03-03
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| pages = 8
| language = English 
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OVER 1,300 children from the Athlone region were wowed last week when the Engineered! Week of Wonder (WOW) brought the magic and mystery of engineering to Athlone.

The first event of the day was a Regional Treasure Hunt, kindly supported by Boston Scientific, which led 300 children and their families on a trail around the major engineering feats in Athlone. Participants had the chance to win a range of prizes including a trip to Eurodisney.

Over 1000 people were also entertained with a WOW Magic Show by Scientist Splooz in the Dean Crowe Theatre. The show was an action-packed adventure designed to demonstrate to students how exciting engineering and science really is. The show, involving volunteers from the audience at every stage, enthralled young and. old alike with crazy demonstrations and daring tricks of cannon fire, optical illusions, coloured flames and alka seltzer explosions.

It was one of an action-packed schedule of events in Athlone last week.


On Wednesday last. Custume Barracks Athlone held three separate challenges as part of the week of wondeer.

The Hook and line challenge involved teams being presented with a range of pulleys, ropes and hooks which they had to link together in order to move a dummy bomb.

An EOD (Bomb Disposal) suit challenge provided teams with instructions on how to put the EOD suit onto their adult supervisor. The supervisor then completed a number of basic tasks in the suit, which weighs in at 35kg.

The children who visited Custume Barracks also had the opportunity to sweep a simulated mine field using prodders and metal detectors. There was also a display set up at this stand explaining the different types of mine sweepers and how they are used.

The events were hosted by the Ordnance and Engineer corps at Custume Barracks. Five different stands were set up on the football pitch at the barracks to give children an insight to engineering within the army.

Approximately 300 children visited the barracks last week as part of the Engineered: Week of Wonder.

Athlone IT hosted a full day of of workshops, presentations and competitions around the theme of Robot Technology on Tuesday under the heading A Robotics and Electronics Hothouse:

President Mary McAlesse is patron of Engineered! A Week of Wonder, which is aimed young people aged 7- 17 and their families.

The week was co-ordinated by the STEPS to engineering programme.

Manager Margie McCarthy said: "Throughout the week young people have had the opportunity to experience things they only dreamed of and discover what engineering is really all about. From building their own robots, to visiting a power plant, to enjoying a flight simulator, children. and their families will be able to experience first hand the wonders of engineering".

STEPS to engineering is an Engineers Ireland programme, supported by Discover Science and Engineering. Department of Education and Science, FAS and industry. The programme aims to encourage primary and post-primary students to explore the world of science and engineering and raise awareness about engineering as a career choice.

Cllr Tom Allen gets to grips with a Dalek from the Dr Who series.

Denis O Donovan Athlone pictured at the Civic Centre with a Dalek from the BBC programme, Dr Who.

Marko and Luka Gojkovic, Athlone with the Dalek, brought to Athlone during the Engineered: Week of Wonder event. Photo: Ann Hennessy.

James and Aoife Sheeran, Athlone.

John and Luke Francis pictured with Dad, Pt PJ Keogh.

Joseph Awana and Collins Obaseki pictured with Pte Gerard Guinan. Photo: Ann Hennessy.

Eamonn, Jonathan and Sinead Farrell with Sgt Kevin Dunne

ORD COY 4 Lsb. Photo: Ann Hennessy.

Kayleigh, Ponce, Bornio, Chantelle, Ruth, Jessica, Nadia, Mechaela, Clane and Chantelle pictured with Sgt Jackle Wykes.

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