Tag Archives: Mini Scientist

Intel Ireland has launched its 2017 Mini Scientist competition for primary schools. The competition is open to 4th, 5th and 6th class pupils from across Ireland. Taking part in the Intel Mini Scientist involves creating a science and technology project which can be based on the Primary Science Curriculum or any area, which is of interest to the participating pupils. Once the projects have been developed, schools host an exhibition where all of the projects can be showcased and for which Intel will provide judges and prizes for everyone taking part. A winning project from every school taking part then progresses to a regional final where pupils will have the chance to compete for a place at the National Grand Final. In 2016, almost 6,500 pupils from 15 different counties took part in Mini Scientist with 105 different schools involved.

PUPILS from St John’s National School in Cratloe were the overall winners at the Intel Mini Scientist Grand Final, held in the Helix at Dublin City University. A special award for best visual display went to pupils from Bridgetown National School. Now in its 10th year, the competition gives pupils from fourth to sixth class the chance to explore science through project-based learning and exhibitions. The Cratloe project was an investigation into the behaviour and habitat of the Irish badger. The four winning pupils looked at the association between badgers and the spread of bovine TB and an alternative to culling was studied, in the form of vaccination. The pupils also developed their own badger repellent, based on their investigations. The winning pupils were Sean O’Brien, Marc O’Brien, Eoin Carey and Shane Leahy. As part of the prize for the overall winning project, the school will receive a grant of €1,000 from Intel. Minister Richard Bruton addressed the pupils at …