ABBEY PUPIL WINS TOP UK TECHNOLOGY AWARD IN LONDON

Fourth Year pupil, Patrick Burns picked up top prize in the Young Engineers for Britain competition in London on Monday 17th September 2007 with his project ‘Automatic Hazard System’. Patrick’s project is a unique device which incorporates both audio and visual warning aids to enable the driver to change his wheel safely whilst minimising any potential personal risk from oncoming vehicles.

This is the third time that Patrick has celebrated success with his innovative and creative project. As reported in the last issue of Sli na Mainistreach in June Patrick won the junior category of the BT Young Scientist and Technology competition in the RDS, Dublin. This was followed by him winning the Northern Ireland Regional final of the Young Engineers for Britain competition at Seagate Young Innovators in the Oddessey in Belfast in June. As a regional finalist Patrick was invited to represent Northern Ireland at the prestigious National Engineering Finals hosted amongst the grandeur of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich in London. Patrick competed against the top Regional finalists from throughout the United Kingdom. Judges were overwhelmed by the exceptional standard of design and craftsmanship demonstrated by Patrick and this expertise ultimately cumulated in him being crowned ‘ Young Engineer for Britain’ This is the first time the Abbey has won this ‘blue ribbon’ Technology event.

Patrick from Forkhill, won a specially commissioned trophy designed and manufactured to celebrate highlights in technological design, including parts of a Rolls Royce jet engine, Honda Formula 1 racing car and the first ever Concorde. He also picked up a cheque for £1500. The school also received £1000. He also won one of the Special Awards for ‘Engineering for Safety and Security’ for which he won another Trophy and £250 to add to his tally. Mr Gerard Savage his Technology teacher said that ‘Patrick was an excellent Ambassador for the Abbey.

The Technology Department and indeed the entire School community are justifiably proud of his dedication and commitment to this project’. Mr Gerard Savage his Technology teacher and Mr. Sean Higgins, Technology Technician travelled to London with Patrick.