On Friday 4 June 2010, three Collegiate Geography students (Kathryn Blackwell-Smyth, Lauren Hetherington and Louise Houston) were involved in the launch of the Northern Ireland Seismology Network at the MarbleArchCaves.
GSNI (Geological Survey of N. Ireland) is piloting the Northern Ireland Schools Seismology Project which will show teachers and pupils how to record and study earthquakes. It will also help them share their data with other schools in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and right around the world. The Collegiate is one of four pilot schools for this project and now has its own seismometer to record earthquakes from around the world.
The girls had the opportunity to meet DETI Minister Arlene Foster and were interviewed by Louise Cullen for a piece on BBC Newsline which was shown that evening.
Speaking at the Caves, Arlene Foster, a past pupil of the Collegiate and now Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “Getting students directly involved in science can only enhance their understanding and their willingness to learn more. By making science ‘alive’ and introducing a ‘wow’ factor in classrooms, we can help make sure their drive for further knowledge continues”.
PHOTO CAPTION - Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, pictured at the MarbleArchCaves with Gareth Earls, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and girls from the CollegiateGrammar School, Enniskillen (from left) Lauren Hetherington, Katherine Blackwell-Smyth and Louise Houston, at the launch the NI Schools Seismology Project.