Queen's students dig out prize for quarry study

Queen's University scholars got involved in an environmental study initiated by the Belfast Hills Partnership to explore how quarries in the hills could be restored.

The report, which looked into options for five quarries in the Belfast Hills was awarded the best Science Shop project of 2011.

The Partnership has been supplying study projects as part of the Science Shop initiative - a joint community resource between the University of Ulster and Queen's University, Belfast.

The Science Shop offers students an opportunity to take on a project submitted by a community or voluntary group in Northern Ireland. The organisations put forward project ideas for students who can use them for dissertations and study.

Shawna Cleary, Laura Kearns and Liz Dare were at Queen's to pick up £150 prize money each from Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tony Gallagher. Helping them receive their award was Dr Lizzy Pinkerton of the Belfast Hills Partnership and Laverne Bell from Quarry Products Association NI.

Dr Pinkerton congratulated the study team.

"We were delighted to conduct and assist with the research of this quarries study and I commend the students for their hard work and dedication. The findings of their report will be used as a valuable resourch for the Belfast Hills Partnership," she said.