Cork teen scoops top prize at this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition
The winner of the 54th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) has been announced.
Simon Meehan, aged 15, a Transition Year student from Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig in Co. Cork, has taken home the top prize for his project entitled "Investigation into the Antimicrobial effects of both aerial and root parts of selected plants against Staphylococcus’ aureus".
He won for his investigation into the medicinal qualities of plants in fighting disease.
The coveted prize was presented to the winner this evening in the BT Arena by Minister for Education Richard Bruton and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.
Simon Meehan presented his project in the Biological and Ecological section of the Intermediate category.
.
The winner of the 54th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is SIMON MEEHAN TY Student from Colaiste Choilm in Cork for his project entitled “Investigation into the Antimicrobial effects of both aerial & root parts of selected plants against Staphylococcus aureus” pic.twitter.com/NuhWZdnoAo
— BT Young Scientist (@BTYSTE) January 12, 2018
Simon selected nine locally sourced plants such as asparagus, nettles and blackberries to test for the presence of chemicals which could potentially be used to control bacterial infection.
The leaves of the blackberry plant were shown to contain a chemical which prevented the growth of different bacteria.
Simon’s award includes the largest prize fund yet of €7,500, the BTYSTE perpetual trophy and an exclusive trip to Bletchley Park in the UK, the infamous World War II coding centre.
Students from Colaiste Choilm cheer their classmate SIMON MEEHAN TY Student from Colaiste Choilm in Cork for his project entitled “Investigation into the Antimicrobial effects of both aerial & root parts of selected plants against Staphylococcus aureus” @colaistechoilm #btyste pic.twitter.com/O3DmEWig9j
— BT Young Scientist (@BTYSTE) January 12, 2018
Also, and uniquely this year, the winner will have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, taking place in the RDS, Dublin in September.
It's only the second time in the 30-year history of the competition that Ireland will host this prominent international event.
Best group went to Harry Noblock, James Noblock and Oran O'Donoghue from Co.Kerry.
They investigated conformity and how minorities can influence it.
Minister Bruton said: "I’m delighted to be here at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition - it’s fantastic to see so many young people engaged and inspired by the STEM subjects and their application to real world problems.
"I would like to congratulate every student, teacher and school community involved for all their hard work during the year and especially this week. The Exhibition is a highlight for the education calendar every year."
Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland said: "This year’s Exhibition has exceeded all expectations showcasing projects and innovations which are now, more than ever, pivotal for the future of our society.
"Our theme for this year’s exhibition is ‘It Starts Here’ – but this is only the beginning and it is vitally important that every student’s voyage of discovery does not end here.
"I want to congratulate every student that entered, and Simon, our overall winner. Simon’s innovative skills and entrepreneurial approach are critical to research and development led companies like BT."
The award for Group winner went to James Knoblauch, Harry Knoblauch and Oran O’Donoghue, all aged 16 and 5th year students from St. Brendan’s College Killarney, Co. Kerry for their project entitled ‘An Investigation into Conformity and How Minorities Influence it’.
Group Winner Award goes to James Knoblauch, Harry Knoblauch & Oran O’Donoghue 5th Year students from St Brendan’s College Killarney for their project “An Investigation into Conformity & how minorities influence it” pic.twitter.com/Uhf9ixGufR
— BT Young Scientist (@BTYSTE) January 12, 2018
The students were in the Social and Behavioural Category at Senior level. In two controlled psychology experiments, the project demonstrated how one person can influence the behaviour of others, using a unique approach to studying group dynamics, focusing on the influence of an individual within a group setting.
The Individual runner-up award was presented to Claire Gregg, aged 16, transition year student at Loreto College St. Stephens Green, Dublin for her project entitled ‘An Analysis of the Housing Shortage in Ireland using Agent-Based Modelling’.
@loretocollege Congratulations Claire Gregg TY student from Loreto College St Stephens Green Winner of the Individual Runner up Award. Her project “An Analysis of the Housing Shortage in Ireland using Agent Based Modelling”.
— BT Young Scientist (@BTYSTE) January 12, 2018
Claire was in the Social Behavioural Sciences category at Intermediate level. Claire’s project addresses a significant challenge in society in an innovative, sophisticated way by modelling complex data on the housing shortage in Ireland. The model identifies the most salient factors affecting the Irish housing market by drawing on extensive data sources.
The Group runners-up award was presented to Darragh Twomey, Neil O’Leary and Andrew Heffernan, aged 16, transition year students at Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co. Cork for their project entitled ‘Feeding 9.6 billion people by 2050’.
The students were in the Biological and Ecological Sciences category at Intermediate level. They carried out a field study to increase food production in a sustainable manner.
They treated barley with a specific strain of bacteria and found it increased the yield of varieties of the crop.
