Scientific Imperative

SCIENTIFIC IMPERATIVE The imperative of science is to closely scrutinize everything in the world about us and give an unambiguous account of what is observed. Science fosters skill in deductive and inductive reasoning and helps us cope with an ever changing social and material environment. Accurate and reliable measurement is the keystone to the experimental process. In education, systematic processing and reliable reporting are not ends in themselves but processes which develop rigorous, integrated and logical thinking, thereby developing a systematic, analytical and reliable mind in the emerging graduate.

The Eurachem Analytical Measurement Competition (EAMC) aims to focus attention on improving the aforementioned skills. The competition also raises awareness among science students of the importance of competency in laboratory skills and accuracy in analytical measurement. Student participation is a valuable addition to their Curriculum Vitae and is viewed favourably by employers.

The EAMC is also instrumental in generating links between participating colleges by establishing and renewing collegiality among the educators.

‘NEWGRANGE’ AWARD Eurachem Ireland

Eurachem Analytical Measurement Competition (EAMC) Eurachem

A National Third Level

Analytical Measurement Competition Eurachem is an association of Professional European Analysts with close links to bodies EAMC 2014 charged with promoting excellence and reliability in analytical measurement worldwide. It is a hosted by reference body for international standards from which industry, governments and others seek Department of Applied Science advice on best practice, laboratory accreditation Limerick Institute of Technology and legal benchmarking. Eurachem(Ireland) with an address at The State Laboratory, consisting of on members from state bodies, industry and th Friday 11 April 2014 education, conducts workshops and seminars for Irish Pewtermill, Timolin, Co. Kildare, designed the analysts, educators and managers on topics such trophy artwork, sponsored by An Chomairle SPONSORED BY as validation, measurement uncertainty and Oidhreachta. It is based on the Newgrange National traceability. [www.eurachem.ul.pt; www.statelab.ie Monument ‘light box’, illustrating a precision and Mason Technology ; www.chemistryireland.org] reliability dating to 3200BC. The monument The Environmental Protection Agency incorporates a remarkable six metre high chamber, The Institute of Chemistry of Ireland E u r a c h e m built with a twenty one metre entrance corridor; it Pharmachemical Ireland predates the Pyramids, Stonehenge and the Minoan C o m p e t i t i o n Temples. The corbelling technology used is probably The Eurachem Analytical Measurement indigenous to Ireland. Competition (EAMC) was initiated by Dr. Sean The archaeologist, O’Kelly demonstrated that an Cawley of IT Carlow in 1999. It is promoted by orifice located over the entrance, was so Eurachem Ireland, Institutes of Technology and positioned above floor level and of such width and Universities across Ireland. height that, as the sun rose on the winter solstice, its light shone on a recessed ‘cremation’ bowl. EAMC is open to teams of two full-time third- Accurate positioning of the huge structure level registered students studying laboratory provided for fine adjustment of the orifice. sciences in Universities or Institutes of Technology anywhere in Ireland and who have not yet entered the third year of their course. Enquiries to: Competitors are chosen by their own Institution for their practical laboratory skills. Each Institution Marie Walsh may submit a first team (and one reserve team), The 2014 competition may entail one or more of a Department of Applied Science, for the National EAMC Final. titration, Ultra-violet/Visible spectrophotometric Limerick IT. determination, a physical measurement, using supplied Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) E-mail: [email protected] and/or response to a short questionnaire. Telephone: 061293338 EAMC 2014 Competitors are expected to report and quantify all possible sources of error. The Reserve Judging Panel consists of Seán Cawley, hosted by Michelle Bennett, Garret Farrell , Brigid O’ Regan, Marie Application entry forms and fees of €70 per team; Walsh, Michael Murphy, Paraic James, Pat O’ Malley, Odilla Finlayson, Helen Hughes, Ray Benson, Bernie Department of Applied Science (cheques, made payable to: Whelan, Kathleen Lough, Sean Reidy, Margaret Franklin, ‘EAMC Eurachem Ireland’) , posted to Brian Murphy, Ben Schazmann. Limerick Institute of Technology ‘ EAMC Competition, c/o Dr. Seán McGowan, State on Laboratory, Young's Cross, Celbridge Co. Kildare’, Friday 11th April 2014 Due on or before the 14 th March .

[[email protected] Phone 01 5057032 Fax 01 Schedule 5057070 ] 8:45am Registration /Tea & Coffee Enquiries: EAMC Secretariat, c/o Marie Walsh, Dept. of Applied Science, LIT 9:15am Welcome Address [email protected] 9:45am Laboratory Competition 11.45am Lunch Judging Panel: The judges are taken from the panel: Dr. Sean McDermott, Head of Biology, State Forensics 1.00pm Laboratory Competition Laboratory; Dr. Tom Hannigan, State Forensics Laboratory; Dr. Ray Leonard , ex-Directorate 3.15pm Photo Call Assembly Analytical Services, Loctite Ireland; Dr. Darragh 4.15pm Presentation of Prizes Cunningham, EPA; Dr. Colman Concannon, Senior EPA Research Officer, EPA. The judges also provide a detailed report for participating Institutions.

The winners, their Alma Mater and the runners up are awarded a replica of the ‘Newgrange’ art piece.