Abbey boffins in science stakes

Where many schools would be pleased to have one entry in an All-Ireland science competition, the Abbey Grammar is fielding an impressive seven. The Abbey's Technology Club is hoping some of their entries will take top honours in the Esat BT Young Scientist & Technology Competition; all seven have been taken through to the final in the RDS in Dublin from January 7-11.

Tony Mooney, head of teachnology, Jonathon McComiskey, Charlie Fegan, ACT Partner, Shane Fegan, Christopher McParland and Declan Mooney, ACT Partner.

This year a team from the Abbey sought expert guidance from Automation and Conveyor Technology (ACT) from Milltown Industrial Complex, Burren, who specialise in design, manufacture and installation of automatic systems. Christopher McParland, Shane Fegan and Jonathon McComiskey identified the problem of the availability of hygienic drinking water in Third World countries and with the help of ACT these pupils completed a project that uses renewable energy to produce safe drinking water for use in Zambia.

Other projects that have been selected to compete at the finals include Life-line, a project developed by David Toal to increase safety at sailing schools. The device monitors up to fifteen boats and will send a unique encoded signal to alert the relevant authorities as to which sailing boat is in difficulty.

Andrew Marshall, Connor Jackson and Ciaran Leonard have devised a product to assist the visually impaired to determine the volume of boiling water in any container. Paul Rafferty and Conor Murphy intend to keep 'dozy- drivers' awake. Peter McClain has used PIC technology to develop an electronic learning aid for children with autism.

Mark McCavitt Has developed a flashing warning indicator to assist drivers to see school children on dark evenings as they walk home from school. Fergal Garvey and Darren Treanor have entered the biological science section with a study of colonial behaviour in the beadlet anemone.

An all time record 910 projects were received from throughout Ireland. These submissions were screened to fill the 480 places.

© Abbey Grammar School