GNC Team Hosts Workshop at START Competition Awards Ceremony 2026

GNC members Dr. Siobhan McMahon and Yajaira Feller Sanchez coordinated a workshop at the annual START competition awards event on 15^th May.

START is a competition organised by the Health Research Board - Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) to promote understanding of clinical trials amongst primary school students. The young scientists and their teachers create their own trial in the classroom, and 3 shortlisted schools are welcomed to the University for a day of workshops and fun. This year the finalists included a total of 95 primary school pupils from St. Patrick’s Boys National School, Co. Limerick, St. Attracta’s National School, Co. Roscommon and Trinity Primary School, Co. Galway.

At the GNC workshop, the young students examined brain and spinal cord tissue under the microscope, learned about differences between animal and human brains, were captivated by mirror-writing tasks and learned about how the brain controls muscles in the body using a robotic hand controlled by their own hand movements.

Speaking about the workshop Dr Siobhan McMahon said “We were delighted to meet so many enthusiastic young scientists at the workshop and to bring neuroscience to life through a range of brain-boosting activities. Many thanks to the START team for inviting the GNC to take part and for making this such a fantastic event to be involved in year after year”.