Student sites to see: The 10 finalists in Spin A Web (www.spinaweb.ie)

Carbon is 4 ever

The winning site, from Ashbourne Community School, Co Meath, is highly educational, leading visitors on a James Bond-style mission to learn about carbon and related chemistry principles through a series of interactive games. This site actually makes chemistry interesting, thanks to excellent interactivity and some very original ideas.

Teen Deise

Second place went to a group from Sacred Heart of Mary in Waterford, who saw a gap in the market for this online magazine for teenage girls in Waterford. The group carried out extensive surveys to produce top-10 lists of favourite shops, bands etc. Includes a Waterford slang test and local radio and food reviews.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour

This project by students at St Andrew's College in Dublin won third place, mainly thanks to its beautiful and very innovative visual presentation, excellent photographs and other illustration and top-class design, which makes use of sophisticated programming. It investigates the history, people and ships associated with the harbour.

Military Barracks, Fermoy

A troop of 14 second-year students at Loreto School in Fermoy, Co Cork, imaginatively used a military metaphor to present a nice historical record of this barracks. The site includes interviews with former soldiers at the barracks, which closed in 1998. An exemplary team effort scooped them the Top Newcomer award.

Sutton Park School

Following success at the ChildNet International School Awards, Dublin School Sutton Park this year produced the winners of the Technical Excellence award. The group redesigned the school's site, with ambitious features, including a sophisticated "backend", which allows teachers to post on their own password-protected section.

SchoolNet UK

Spin A Web was open to schools throughout Ireland and this entry from a group at Campbell College in Belfast was one of two finalists from Northern Ireland. SchoolNet UK is an educational "portal" designed by students for students - specifically sixth-formers in Britain and the North, with a study room, movie news and a technology area.

Barriers, Borders, Bridges

Students at Derry's well-known St Columb's College have created a site strong on that important but sometimes neglected element - content. The project addresses the Troubles by looking at Derry's own turbulent past and includes quotes from political leaders. Well-researched and leaves the visitor with a firm anti-sectarian message.

Clonmacnoise

Exploring and researching your local environment and presenting it to people the world over is hard to beat as a school project. This group at the St Aloysius College in Athlone have produced an online guide to Clonmacnoise's special and important role in Irish history. A timeline with clickable icons gives lots of information. Great photos too.

Horse 'N About

A gang at St Nathy's in Co Roscommon have indulged their interest in horses. Clever educational features include pictures with labels which can then be viewed without the labels to allow you to test yourself. And for the turf enthusiast there are extensive racing statistics. It also explores the use of audio on websites through its "intellitalk" feature.

Irish Myths and Legends

The technology and the medium may be new, but sometimes the most interesting topics are the oldest ones. Students at Newtown Park in Dublin have created a site which introduces the visitor to the mysterious creatures, places and books of Irish mythology. This one demonstrates the importance of good presentation and illustration.