| | | | | | | | BT YOUNG SCIENTIST COMPETITION 2006 - SUTTON PARK SUCCESSES | This year only 500 out of the 1200 projects submitted were accepted for the Exhibition, held from January 11th - 14th in the RDS. Students who were successful in being accepted were already winners, as President McAleese pointed out in her speech at the opening ceremony of the 2006 BT Young Scientist Competition.
This year again, all the projects submitted by Sutton Park School students were accepted for the Exhibition. And we acheived our best results ever this year, with a First Prize in the Senior Maths/Physics/Chemistry Section, a Highly Commended in the Intermediate Biological and Ecological Section, and a Highly Commended in the Intermediate Mathsy/Physics/Chemistry Section. Our Head of Science Catherine Tattersall also received recognition when she was awarded the Intel Educator of Excellence Award. See below for details of the projects and awards. |  | Enda Hannan, Max van de Poll, Robert Palminteri (5th Year)
- 'A Tsunami Protection System'
1st Prize Winners Maths/Physics/Chemistry Senior Section
The students designed a First Alert System which gives early warning of an impending Tsunami and also designs for 'retreat centres' - towers that get people up and above the incoming waves. Their system is designed to limit life loss by allowing enough time for people to retreat to their proposed escape towers. The inexpensive system is based on a hollow tube fixed in concrete and placed some distance offshore. The tube has a magnetic switch at the bottom and a ball carrying a magnet floats inside the tube. Approaching Tsunamis cause sea levels to fall suddenly, which causes the ball to drop so low in the water that it triggers the switch and sets off the alarm. They found a tower base with a conical shape was best at withstanding the forces of the incoming water. The top of the tower flashes a light and sounds a siren as it is wired to the warning system.
The students won 1st Prize in this very tough Senior Section.
The students were the focus of much media attention during their week at the Young Scientist Competition. They were appeared on RTE News, TV3AM, RTE's Scope Science programme, Newstalk, RTE Radio1 and were featured in the Irish Times and other National Newspapers. They intend to do further research and enter the All Ireland Seagate Innovators Competition in Belfast next June. |
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|  | Edain Quinn (4th Year)
- 'An Investigation of the Anti-pathogenic Properties of Garlic'
Highly Commended - Biological and Ecological - Intermediate Section
Edain did a comprehensive study of the effects of various concentrations of garlic in inhibiting growth of different micro organisms. Her results showed that raw garlic in particular is very effective against bacteria and mould fungi. Garlic contained in garlic capsules from a health food shop on the other hand was ineffective against micro organisms. The judges were very impressed with her work and she was given a Highly Commended Award. Edain was interviewed and published by the Irish Independent.
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|  | David Murphy (4th Year)
- ' Using Biochemistry to remove heavy metal ions from contaminated water'
Highly Commended - Maths/Physics/Chemistry- Intermediate Section
David used a Biotechnology method of suspending yeast cells in gel beads and then slowly percolated water, contaminated with lead ions, through the beads. He found considerable fall in levels of lead using this method. This method could have significance in decontaminating polluted water of dangerous solutes. David did most of his experiments on Wednesday afternoons in Science club. David was awarded a Highly Commended by the judges.
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|  | Yusuf Bhujwalla (4th Year)
- 'A Design for a One Stroke Engine'
Technology- Intermediate Section
Yusuf designed a one stroke combustion engine which saves power compared to the normal two stroke engine.Yusuf built impressive models to go with his drawings. This was a completely novel engineering idea that was all his own work. He was highly praised by the judges who were impressed with his extensive technical knowledge of engines. Yusuf is now further developing the project and trying to built a working prototype. |
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|  | Enda Hannan, Max van de Poll, Robert Palminteri (5th Year)
receiving 1st Prize in the Maths/Physics/Chemistry Senior Section
for their project 'A Tsunami Protection System' |
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|  | Catherine Tattersall, Head of Science at Sutton Park School, receiving the Intel Educator of Excellence Award
This is awarded to a teacher who has helped students over a number of years to be successful in the Maths/Physics/Chemistry and Technology sections of the competition. The teacher travels with the Intel Education group to the Science and Engineering Fair and Educator's Academy in May.
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