Education
Debating Science Issues
Debating Science Issues is a dynamic debating competition which invites young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science.
Open to students in the senior cycle of secondary school in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the competition aims to:
- encourage young people to take an active interest in biomedical science and to engage with contemporary research
- facilitate discussion amongst young people on the advances in the biomedical field and the societal and ethical impact of this research
- stimulate young people to think differently about biomedical science, as they discover the immense impact it has on society and to consider a career or education in this field
- expose students and teachers not normally involved in the traditional sciences to the area of biomedical science
- generate awareness of biomedical research within the broader school community
"The competition provided a great opportunity for students to expand their communication and scientific skills. The fact that the students can link it to everyday societal changes gives it an edge:" teacher
Debates will cover the following biomedical topics:
• Stem Cell Research
• Genetically Modified Food
• Nanotechnology
• Health & Self Testing
• Vaccinations
• Animal Testing
Participating schools will also have the opportunity to avail of a 3-hour interactive student workshop on biomedical science before the debating competition begins.
More info about the 2010 - 2011 DSI competition
Fifty-six schools were involved in the 2011 Debating Science Issues competition, which encourages young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. The competition, which is coordinated by 8 research, medical and science centres throughout the island of Ireland, addresses contemporary scientific issues such as stem cells, nanotechnology, genetically modified food, vaccinations and health and self-testing. This national schools' biomedical science debate competition, sponsored by a Wellcome Trust People Award has run for four consecutive years in collaboration with the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI), CLARITY, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, CRANN, Tyndall National Institute, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, and W5.
The 2011 Debating Science Issues All- Ireland Finals was held on Thursday 14th April at the Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin. The Finals which were co-ordinated by the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway, and saw four teams of secondary school students representing the provinces of Connacht, Ulster, Leinster and Munster. The four teams were St. Joseph's College, Garbally, St. Catherine's Vocational School, Killybegs, St. Vincent's Dundalk, and Colaiste an Phairsaigh, Glanmire respectively.
St. Catherine's Vocational School, Killybegs had been selected to represent Ulster as they had recently managed to see off stiff competition from St. Colmcille's High School, Crossgar in the Ulster Finals held in W5 to claim the title of DSI Ulster Champions 2011. The team from Killybegs were eventually defeated in the Semi-Final by St. Vincent's Secondary School who were later crowned All-Ireland Champions 2011.
Follow the DSI competition on Twitter@DebatingScience
For further information on the Debating Science Issues competition visit DSI@REMEDI
If you would like to know more about the programme or wish to enquire about your school being involved next year please contact Matt Craig on (028) 90 46 7713 or email matthewcraig@w5online.co.uk.
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Additional Material
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PDF | 792k
DSI Flu Vaccinations
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PDF | 667k
DSI GM foods
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PDF | 866k
DSI Nanotechnology
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PDF | 954k
DSI Stem Cell Research
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PDF | 591k
DSI Flu Vaccination Additional Sources
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PDF | 528k
DSI GM Foods Additional Sources
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PDF | 586k
DSI Nanotechnology Additional Sources
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PDF | 555k
DSI Stem Cell Research Additional Sources
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