Students Shine at the Return of the Know Your Ag Science Quiz
Know Your Ag Science Quiz Winners Presentation Secondary School Wexford, Niamh Donohue, Sadhbh McDonald, Mia Moran Curran and Aoibhínn Kelly, pictured with Jim Power (IASTA), Professor Frank Monahan, Macra National President Josephine O'Neill and teacher Amy Cahill
The hugely successful “Know Your Ag Science” competition returned this year, hosted by Macra and IASTA, in collaboration with University College Dublin.
More than 200 fifth-year students from schools across the country gathered at the UCD Astra Hall to put their agricultural science knowledge to the test for a fun but hotly contested quiz. Participants were challenged on a wide range of topics, from crops to machinery, sheep to pigs, and everything in between.
MC for the day, Sarah McIntosh, guided the students through the rounds of the quiz before students enjoyed lunch, kindly provided by UCD.
As part of the day’s activities, students enjoyed a tour of the UCD campus, where they had the opportunity to explore the on-site amenities and facilities. They also heard first-hand from current UCD students about the many academic and social opportunities the university has to offer. The students were also welcomed to UCD by Professor Frank Monahan, Dean of Agriculture and Head of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, who congratulated Macra, IASTA, and all participating schools, students, and teachers on another excellent competition this year. Professor Monahan also reminded students with a passion for Agricultural Science of the many opportunities available nationally to continue their studies, including at UCD, where the School of Agriculture and Food Science offers fourteen undergraduate degree programmes.
Competition on the day was fierce, with Borris College finishing as runners-up, while Presentation Secondary School Wexford claimed the top prize and were crowned overall winners. Speaking after the event, Macra National President Josephine O'Neill praised the students for their enthusiasm and dedication. “It was fantastic to see such a high standard of knowledge and passion for agriculture from all the students who took part. The future is bright for our industry when we have young people of this calibre coming through. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially our winners and runners-up, and sincere thanks to IASTA and UCD for helping make the day such a success.”
IASTA chairman Joe Corroon also congratulated the students and teachers, “It's a massive turnout of students, and it’s great to see such an interest in Ag Science. The teachers deserve great credit for building and nurturing that interest. Congratulations to the winners, Presentation Secondary School Wexford, who showed a considerable level of knowledge. Míle buíochas to Macra and UCD for organising, running and hosting the Quiz for the last number of years.”
It is hoped to build on the success of the quiz and expand it further over the next few years. The return of the Know Your Ag Science quiz once again highlighted the importance of supporting young people with an interest in agriculture and showcasing the many exciting career and education pathways available within the sector.
Know Your Ag Science Quiz Runners-Up Borris College, Ross Phelan, Caoimhe Spruhan, Lucais Doherty and Richard Doyle, pictured with Jim Power (IASTA), Professor Frank Monahan, Macra National President Josephine O'Neill and teacher Aoife Purcell