Desmond College entered an amazing fourteen projects in to this year’s Young Scientist competition.
The fourteen projects involve the dedication and hard work of thirty nine students and teachers. There is a tremendous tradition within this school for participating and achieving in this competition. There is outstanding support from management and staff throughout all departments.
The preparation for the competition shows huge collaboration among staff and students, ensuring projects are of a high standard. The projects entered in this year’s competition from Desmond College:
The mystery that is “Boy Racers” (Rachel O’Mahony, Rachel O’Sullivan, Claire Browne)
A solar powered steriliser for Third World Countries (Mairead Relihan, Kate Brislane and Louise Copse)
The accuracy of Eye Witness reports in criminal investigations (Slaine Healy, Cian Landers and Danny O’Shaughnessy)
An investigation into the most effective method in preventing enamel erosion (Edel Copse and Sarah Eright)
A recycled water power unit (Patrick O’Sullivan, Shauna Cronin and Alice Barrett)
An investigation into links between dexterity and professions or trades (Gemma Laey, Patrick Qulligan, Michael Costello)
A plastic crushing device for domestic recycling (Shane Lee, Liam Upton and Jack Fanning)
A device which prevents portable goalposts from collapsing (Luke Barry, Steven McMahon, Deborah Murphy)
Papercrete – recycled newspaper used in freezing substances (Adam Greaney, Richard Taylor and Shane Kenny)
An alternative engine design powered by black powder (Warren Gleeson, Jack Wilson and Daniel Murphy)
Sensorson Goalposts (Kieran Copse, Lorraine Enright and David Costello)
A device to prevent people driving under the influence of alcohol (David Upton and Darragh McMahon)
A wellington washer device (Tom Flavin, Chris Scannell and John Delee)
An investigation into Phermones (Joanne Dowling and Paul McGuinness)
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Desmond College Students have their Ear to the Ground
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The exceptional standards of Desmond College entrants to the 47th BT Young Scientist awards held in the RDS Dublin was once again highlighted this year. Innovative projects, the “Wellie Washer”, the “Alchemiser” and the “Investigation into Tooth Decay” attracted huge attention among the record breaking attendance and the 520 projects on display.
Highlighting innovation in the Agricultural field the “Wellie Washer” project attracted huge interest from RTE’s TV programme, Ear to the Ground, as well as press interest from The Farmers Journal and The Examiner.
The idea was conceived by second year students Tom Flavin, John Delee and Chris Scannell based on their own experience on their family farms.
The group have been praised by Sean Gallagher of “Dragons’ Den” for their ingenuity as the portable footbath cleans and disinfects wellingtons and will be a very useful and practical way to prevent the spread of infection and disease on farms.
Winning highly commended from the judges The National Road Safety Authority were keenly impressed by the “Alchemiser” project designed by David Upton and Darragh McMahon.
Science Teacher, Ms. Corkery explained that they designed the device to prevent the ignition of a car if a person has more than the legal limit of alcohol in their system. With road deaths at an all time high, this device was designed to aid in the reduction of road deaths caused by driving under the influence of alcohol.
Transition Year students Edel Copse and Sarah Enright have dedicated their time to investigate the “Best Treatment for Preventing Tooth Enamel Erosion.” This attracted widespread attention from the public and dental experts. For their project the duo carried out the investigative experiments and analysed the effects of many every day substances on teeth to come up with the best prevention of tooth enamel erosion.
Desmond College would like to congratulate the innovative students, their parents and dedicated teachers for doing themselves and the school proud.