Three primary schools from Galway were shortlisted as finalists in the annual Schools Teaching Awareness of Randomised Trials (START) competition, which is run by the Health Research Board-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN).
START is held in celebration of International Clinical Trials Day and the anniversary of the first clinical trial carried out in 1747 in the British Navy. Each year, it invites students in 4th, 5th, and 6th classes from primary schools across Ireland to create their own randomised trial as a fun, project-based way of learning about randomised trials. This encourages children to develop critical thinking skills, as well as teach them about healthcare decisions and how we can improve health and wellbeing through randomised trials.
This year, the three finalists are from Galway, and their success was celebrated at a special event at NUI Galway where they presented and discussed their work. The winning schools and their project titles are:
- Scoil Bhríge agus Bhreandáin Naofa, Corrandulla, Galway: Do 5-minute movement breaks between subjects help improve concentration?
- Gaelscoil Dara, Renmore, Co. Galway: An bhfoghlaimíonn páistí níos fearr ó mhúinteoir ná ó chéile? Do children learn better from a teacher or from each other?
- Claregalway Educate Together, Claregalway, Co. Galway: Does 5 minutes of exercise help children focus for a test compared to children who do not exercise
Speaking about the competition, Dr. Mairead O’Driscoll, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board, said, “The questions devised by each of these finalists, and indeed all entrants, are fascinating. The curiosity and creativity of their bright young minds perfectly captures the essence of the START competition. I did not envy the judging panel in shortlisting the final three! Congratulations to all of them from everyone at the HRB.”
Professor Declan Devane, Scientific Director of the HRB-TMRN at NUI Galway, said, “We started this competition for two reasons. Firstly, we wanted to raise awareness of the importance of randomised trials with children. Secondly, we wanted to harness the creativity and imagination of children in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of trials.
The high standard and variety of applications we receive each year demonstrates that the START competition has indeed raised the awareness of randomised trials and capitalised on children’s innate ability to explain difficult concepts clearly and in a fun way. We are very proud of all our applications.”