Science students boldly go to Florida

EMMA McALEESE hopes that taking part in the FÁS Science Challenge at the Florida Space Authority is her first step towards becoming the first Irish person in space.

The UCD electrical engineer is one of 14 Irish science and engineering students who will work alongside leading scientists during a six-week programme at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

“I am really looking forward to this challenge and to meeting the team at Cape Canaveral. The chance of being exposed to all that technology and expertise is exciting. One of my goals is to journey through space and who knows what will happen after this?” she said.

Emma, who is a daughter of President Mary McAleese, said another aspect of the challenge which appeals to her is returning home and visiting schools to speak about her experiences.

“Coming back and telling school children about the space programme is something I am looking forward to,” she said.

Speaking at a reception to see the students off Tánaiste Mary Harney said: “This lifetime experience should enable them to transfer these skills and knowledge to their careers, which in turn will benefit their universities, institutes, future employers and Ireland in the long term. I wish them well in the challenges that they face.”

FÁS said the project they have developed aims to create greater awareness and involvement in science disciplines by students of all ages in order to meet the future needs of the labour market.

“It complements the Government's policy of ensuring that Ireland continues to be recognised as a knowledge-based society. The project is in addition to a number of proactive measures being undertaken at all levels through the Government's Discover Science and Engineering programme,” a FÁS spokeswoman said.

The 2004 Science Challenge Team is: Róisín Ní Chuimíin, UCG; Clare O'Donoghue, Limerick Institute of Technology; Joe Fitzsimons, UCD; Sean Fitzgerald, University of Limerick; Nicole O'Mara, Limerick IT; James Moloney, UCD; Emma McAleese, UCD; Robert Downing, CIT; David Redmond, TIT; John Staunton, UCD; Elaine Bannon, DCU; Michael Campion, WIT; Laurie Winkless, Trinity College; and Luke Smaul, DIT.