Engaging activities, educational exhibits, fun and games, and even some high-profile visitors made SETU’s presence at this year’s National Ploughing Championships a memorable and successful experience for all.
Over the course of the three-day event, the SETU team showcased a wide variety of disciplines, including sport science, nursing, computing, design, engineering, land sciences, science, humanities, and business among others.
Once the doors opened each day, the team welcomed a steady stream of visitors, including kids, teenagers, adults, and former and future students, all curious to explore what SETU has to offer.
Inspire
Despite the inclement weather on the first day, a huge volume of people flocked to the SETU marquee. Throughout the day the SETU team sought to inspire future university students with their impressive range of knowledge, and through immersive and engaging activities.
Interactive games and puzzles, designed to make math and science enjoyable, stimulated peoples’ minds. All ages were put through their paces on the Watt bike and their agility was tested with the light board reaction and car driving games.
Visitors also participated in competitions to win spot prizes, heard about the beer brewing process, took part in science experiments, enjoyed refreshing mocktails, and learned about CPR during live demos.
Strengths
The TU showcased its technological strengths with Bengie, the telepresence robot, a USV drone boat, sumo bots, and various student projects proving to be a particular draw to eager minds.
RTÉ was on hand to capture the captivating scenes as they unfolded in the SETU marquee. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD proved that she wasn’t afraid to get in on the fun when she tried out her driving skills on the space racing simulator.
Day two of the National Ploughing Championships brought a welcome change in weather with brighter skies and increased footfall at the event.
The light board reaction test quickly became a favourite attraction as attendees challenged themselves to climb to the top of the leaderboard by testing their reaction times.
Highlight
A special highlight of the day was the visit of Simon Harris, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science. During his lunchtime visit, he engaged with SETU staff and tested his agility with the light board reaction test. Later, he was also invited to prove his driving skills on the space racing simulator.
Throughout the event, SETU welcomed several past and present students. Among them were Chloe Egan and Chloe Behan-Cahill, who proudly displayed their freshly framed Dairymaster Student Awards. These awards recognised their outstanding achievements in the field of BSc (Hons) Agri Science for their final year thesis.
Excitement
On Thursday, the sunshine proved a particular draw as 62,500 people made their way through the gates at Ratheniska for the final day.
The excitement continued unabated at the SETU marquee, as crowds immersed themselves in all the fun and games as the hours passed by. In the afternoon, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD took time out of her busy schedule to meaningfully engage with staff at the SETU marquee.
Throughout the three days, the wide range of disciplines, technology, and exhibits at the SETU marquee captivated and educated visitors of all ages.