A Laois primary school has taken to the RDS in Dublin to exhibit their scientific study.

The health effects of vaping was a hot topic in Dublin last week as the children of Scoil Mhuire Fatima, Timahoe exhibited at a prestigious science fair held at the RDS.

‘Science Blast’ is a huge science exhibition run by the RDS and sponsored by the ESB.

Scoil Mhuire Fatima in Timahoe has a rich tradition in the exhibition and this year’s 6 th Class upheld the tradition with a fantastic project called ‘Sweet Clouds and Bitter Truths’ - The rise of vaping among teenagers and the associated health effects.

The project was a study on the significant increase in vaping among teenagers and the effects of this.

The children surveyed teenagers and discovered that over half teens vape due to peer pressure and 40% admitted the sweet flavours lured them in.

They were also shocked to learn that 1 in 5 teenagers now use e cigarettes regularly. 

The 6th class students spoke to experts and learned that vaping is more dangerous for our health than people realise and especially bad if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma.

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Bronchiotitis Obliterans or pop corn lungs is caused by a chemical found in e cigarettes and it is the irreversible damage to the lungs.  The adjudicator, Kate, works as an engineer with a pharmaceutical company in Dublin.

The judge complimented the students’ biology and human science investigation agreeing that the surge in teenage vaping was worrying. Kate acknowledged the scientific methods such as using surveys, labelling diagrams and conducting interviews to support the secondary sources found through internet research. 

The judges loved the colour coordination and popcorn lung as part of the display. She also complimented the children’s communication skills suggesting they have a bright future ahead.

While off duty the boys and girls visited other schools projects, science shows with Mark and Phil the RTE School Hub’s science presenters and played games provided by science and engineering firms. 

Principal Michael Mc Evoy and 6th Class teacher Anna Moore were very proud of the students’ efforts. Miss Moore stated that the children “had worked extremely hard on the project and shown great interest in the topic. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us.”.

Mr. Mc Evoy added that “it is hugely important for the children to be aware of the consequences of vaping, particularly as they enter their teenage years. We are delighted with the children’s efforts. It has been a great day and a very worthwhile learning
experience for them.

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