*****PRESS RELEASE*****
Monday 4th July 2005

HEADLINE:  
Teachers Sacrifice Holidays - 
to bring science to the classroom
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From:  Digital Enterprise Research Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway
(Photos available on request approximate size 800k)

Begins:
"There'll be no summer holidays for these secondary school teacher STARs", according to Prof Dr Christoph Bussler from the Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway.

The two secondary school teachers, Francis Fahy from Gurbally College, Ballinasloe and Niamh Tyrrell from Community College Gort, are taking part in Science Foundation Ireland's STAR (Secondary Teacher Research Assistant) programme. Both teachers will spend the next two months slaving away at a computer screen, while their students are enjoying their holidays, typing furiously to assist on a new intelligent internet business software development.

"They'll have a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the latest internet technologies over the summer, and then bring their new skills and experiences back to the class room.  Hopefully our combined efforts will encourage the next generation of young Irish scientists and technologists, adds Professor Bussler"

According to Francis,

"This STAR programme allows me a fantastic opportunity to purse my interest in software development and then bring the skills I learn directly back to my students who are interested in computers and computer programming."

Likewise for Niamh

"This will be great for those students who already have an interest and aptitude for computers and programming, but it could also do wonders to energise those who up to now haven't been quite so interested.  There's also the possibility to involve the business and commerce teachers in the school."

While at DERI the teachers will participate in real scientific projects and contribute to the academic output of the Institute.  It's hoped that their classroom skills might teach the researchers a thing or two as well.For further details please contact Brian Cummins at 091 - 495180, or at brian.cummins@deri.org  or visit www.deri.ie 

*****ENDS*****