Young scientists scoop seven awards

NORTH Clare pupils received seven awards at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2013. A West Clare school also brought home a highly-commended accolade from the 49th exhibition held in Dublin at the weekend.

Three third-year pupils from Kinsale Community School, Cork took home the top prize for their project, entitled A statistical investigation of the effects of Diazotroph bacteria on plant germination. The girls were entered in the biological and ecological sciences category, intermediate section.

In the individual section of the same category, Aisling O’Rourke from Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna took second prize. Her project dealt with the question of whether or not there are morphological differences in the leaf of geographically separated Geranium Sanguineum. Aisling’s schoolmate, Deirdre O’Connell, won second prize in the social and behavioural sciences intermediate individual category for her project examining computer and internet usage among adults in North Clare.

Pupils from the school also returned to Lisdoonvarna with four highly-commended accolades.

In the biological and ecological category, David Sims was recognised in the senior individual section for his project on the occurrence and distribution of Ulva Lactuca and Enteromorpha Intestinalis in relation to water quality. In the junior group biological and ecological category, Claire Costello and Ellen O’Loughlin were highly commended for their project looking at whether or not sea urchins risk being eaten by predators to reach food. In the same category, Martyna Bujnowska and Orlaith Bowen were also highly commended for their work on whether or not a predator affects the clumping behavior of Mytilus Edulis.

Keelan McMahon, also from Mary Immaculate Secondary School, was highly commended in the senior individual section of the social and behavioural sciences section. Keelan’s project examined if population size affected the ability of GAA clubs to win trophies.

Stephen O’Connell, a third-year pupil at the school, was awarded a best display award for his project on crabs.
School principal John O’Loughlin said the school is very proud of the achievements of the pupils and the Young Scientist competition coordinator in the school, John Sims.

“To get second in their category is no mean achievement and is something to be very proud of. We have to acknowledge the tireless work John Sims does in the service of the students. We have a long association with the Young Scientist competition and indeed with science itself. The reason we are involved in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition is because the students gain tremendous skills and experience by taking part in the competition. You couldn’t buy the skills they are getting through their research first of all, which is carried out on their own, with the guidance of John Sims.

“For those who get to the exhibition in Dublin, for many of them it is the first time they are in Dublin having to take responsibility for themselves and having to account for themselves to three judges. It can be a bit stressful but it is a real eye opener and is something that really helps them to develop. The exhibition also allows them to see the work of their peers. The ones that get to Dublin have put in a tremendous amount of work, so seeing other students who have put in as much work and more in such a variety of areas is really positive.”

The Lisdoonvarna principal also paid tribute to the pupils’ parents.

“The parents have been great too, driving here and there across North Clare and all over the country in some cases. Some have endured having labs set up in their back-kitchens and garages, that kind of thing. There is a great buzz here this week and a positive atmosphere around the place,” he said.

Pupils from Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, were highly commended for their investigation into the potential anti-inflammatory properties of North Clare seaweed extracts on intestinal inflammation. The group included Lynn O’Doherty, Sarah Leigh and Sinéad Shannon, who had entered the biological and ecological, intermediate category.

Clare Finucane and Mary O’Connell from St John Bosco Community College in Kildysart were highly commended in the junior group section of the chemical, physical and mathematical sciences category for their study of curvature of hair.

Almost 1,200 pupils from 31 counties, covering 550 projects from 216 schools nationwide, competed for the coveted title of the winner of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2013.

Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT Ireland said, “The exhibition is incredible this year – more ideas submitted, more partners coming on board, excellent exhibits and certainly more visitors coming through the doors. It is becoming a real movement and gaining such momentum in its 49th year.

“We’re delighted with the winning projects and would like to congratulate the winners on their achievements. We know, from experience, that this award will change their lives.”

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn, commented, “I am greatly impressed by the standard and calibre of the entries to this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

“The creativity and innovation these young people have shown bodes very well for the future of science and technology in this country, one of the key growth areas we know will help rebuild our economy. I want to commend all the students involved, in particular the winning entries, but also their parents and teachers who have helped them come so far.”