Stripe Young Scientist and Technology

On the 9th of January, our First Years, along with our TY Local Studies class, went to the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

They gathered at the Dart station at 8am and once inside the RDS everyone had the opportunity to experience a host of different projects - including a number of our own students' displays. The standard was exceptionally high and there was a diverse range of projects represented this year. There were also a lot of interactive activities, quizzes and challenges based on science and technology where prizes could be won.

Our TY Local Studies class all worked on projects to enter into Stripe YSTE and this year we had four groups who qualified for Stripe YSTE. One group, which consisted of Rory Coyle and Dan Farrell, with their project titled ‘STEADYBRUSH’, which fit under the health and wellbeing category. They designed and manufactured an adapter that can store toothbrushes in a hygienic cap to prevent bacteria in the air getting on the bristles. This adapter is intended to help people with Parkinson's disease have an easier time brushing their teeth.

Siofra Scanlon and Keah Reily’s Project was titled 'From Source To Sea : A Multi-Dimensional Study To Protect and Enhance the Three Trout River'. At each site along the river they measured physical indicators, biological health and chemical indicators. They found out that the river health did not follow a simple source to sea pattern. They also shared their results with relevant authorities and are in the process of developing an evidence - based community action plan.

Another group who qualified consisted of Michael Goodwin, Cathal Quinn and Alex Tracey, whose their project was titled 'Wireless Charging'. They were investigating the efficiency and potential of wireless charging. They used two coils that transferred electricity to each other wirelessly. They concluded that wireless charging has a lot of potential as a convenient method of power transfer, particularly for short-range and low-power applications and that efficiency of wireless charging is based on the distance between the transmitter and receiver coils. This group should be especially proud of their achievements as they were awarded the Highly Commended rosette for their project.

Cal Melvin, who is not a part of the TY Local Studies class but instead worked on this project on his own time, made an excellent project titled Assessing human influence on the survival of the Little Tern species: A case study in Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow. This fell under the category of Biological and Ecological Sciences. His research question was how much human intervention affects the breeding success and survival of the Little Tern at Kilcoole. He collected 40 years of data from Birdwatch Ireland and NPWS and did field visits to Kilcoole, Cahore, Buckroney and Gronant (Wales). He concluded that human intervention has been essential for the survival and recovery of the Little Tern at Kilcoole.

A massive well done to all the groups who qualified this year for the Stripe Young Scientist and technology exhibition and also a huge thanks to Mr. O’Donnchadha, Ms. Pullbrook, Ms. Úi Annaidh, Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Cavey for bringing the first years and TY local studies class and especially to Mr. Lynch who has been helping the TY local studies class with their projects this year.

Reporter: Hazel Prendergast

Photographer: Hazel Prendergast