Our 6th class Scientists exhibited their class investigation “ The rise of vaping among teenagers and the associated health effects” at the ESB Science Blast in the RDS on Tuesday 4th March.
The students learned about the human respiratory system:
- Our Lungs are different sizes.
- The lungs are the only organ that can float on water.
- Our nose is a filter as it takes in oxygen for the body.
- We breathe in and out over 20,000 times a day!
- Asthma narrows our air ways making it harder to breath.
We noticed the increased use of vaping among teenagers and adults and wondered why & also how it affects our breathing system.
The students surveyed teenagers and discovered that over half teens vape due to peer pressure and 40% admitted the sweet flavours lured them in. We were frightened to learn that 1 in 5 teenagers now use e cigarettes regularly.
The 6th class students spoke to experts and learned than vaping is more dangerous for our health than people realise and especially bad if you have a pre existing condition like asthma. Bronchiotitis Obliterans or pop corn lungs is caused by a chemical found in e cigarettes and it is the irreversible damage to the lungs.
Our Judge, Kate works as an engineer with a pharmaceutical company in Dublin. Kate complimented the students biology and human science investigation agreeing that the surge in teenage vaping was worrying. Kate acknowledged the scientific methods such as using surveys, labelling diagrams and conducting interviews to support the secondary sources found through internet research.
Kate loved the colour co ordination and popcorn lung as part of the display. She also complimented the children’s communication skills suggesting they have a bright future ahead. ✨
While off duty the boys and girls visited other schools projects, science shows with Mark and Phil the RTE School Hub’s science presenters and played games provided by science and engineering firms.
A great day- topped off with a stop in Mc Donald’s! 🙂🚌
