The Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Newry have returned from this years Esat BT Young Scientist and Technology Competition with an unbelievable number of trophies and cash prizes following the Presentation of Awards by President Mrs. Mary McAleese last Friday night in the RDS, Dublin. Each of the 14 pupils spread across eight projects won an award, ranging from Overall Runner-Up, Category Awards, Special Awards and Display Awards. It is quite unique that every pupil representing the school received something to recognise their hard work, put in over the last few months.

Fifth year student Kevin O'Reilly took the individual runner up prize, one of the top four prizes in the overall competition. Kevin's project was an attempt to classify the Freshwater shrimp Gammarus Pulex into a functional feeding group. There was much evidence of the gammarus species displaying omnivorous, cannibalistic and, to a lesser degree, detritivorous tendencies. This has made it difficult to classify these macro invertebrates into one functional feeding group. There was no doubt that their adaptability, in relation to feeding, has been a contributing factor in their successful colonisation of Irish waters. Kevin worked under the guidance of Mrs Margaret Lane (Head of Biology) and Miss Deirdre Mulgrew.At the prize giving Mrs Lane received the British Council Teacher Award for the Biological and Ecological section. This award is presented to the teacher, selected by the judges, from the nomination of the students in the competition. This was a wonderful accolade for the hardworking staff of the Biology department.

Not to be outdone the Technology Department excelled themselves yet again. Ten awards were won for their seven projects. The two category winning projects were both group projects. ‘Signal Express' won the Technology Junior Group section. It was an eye catching display that modelled a school technology workshop and demonstrated how a teacher could shut off power to the machines using a remote control. The three boys that impressed the judges with this project were Darren Marshall, Keith Mooney and David McGovern. They also won a Display Award. Mr. Tony Mooney, Head of Technology assisted the boys.

'H2 Sensor' won the Technology Senior Group Section. This was designed and manufactured by Rory O'Rourke, Ryan O'Hare and Sean Donnelly. This device sensed the high levels of Hydrogen Sulphide gas in slurry tank/cattle shed. It warned the farmer and extracted the gas. The judges were quite amazed with this project and also awarded it one of the Special Awards ‘the Intel Bursary Award. Mr. Gerard Savage assisted the boys with this project.

Michael Stanyer's 'Forklift Load Differential Display' won another one of the Special Awards 'the Dublin Institute of Technology Award as well as third in the Technology Senior Individual Section. This is a sensing device that indicates if the load on the front of the forklift is balanced in dangerous situations. This will activate the intelligent counter balance system. Mr. Tony Mooney assisted Michael with this project.

Vincent O'Rourke's ‘Farm Alert' project was given second place in the Technology Intermediate Section. This is an article of clothing that a child on a farmyard wears. It transmits a radio signal to the operator of a moving vehicle to alert them that they are in close proximity and thus avoiding a serious accident. Mr. Gerard Savage assisted Vincent with his project.

In the Technology Intermediate Group Section the innovative project ‘Hotpot' was awarded third place. This is an aid for the visually impaired person to indicate that something is cooked or reaching different temperature levels. This project was designed and manufactured by Gavin Myers, Gerard McGarvey and John McAteer. Mr. Mark Rodgers assisted the boys with this project.

Indeed, like Mrs.Margaret Lane, Mr. Mark Rodgers got an unexpected surprise when he was called to the stage to receive the British Council Teacher Award for the Technology section, after his pupils had nominated him. Another two of his pupils were presented Display Awards, both in the Technology Junior Individual Section. James McClean designed ?Natural Aid'. A device that assists people who suffer from bowel problems. As people sit on the toilet this device helps posture by raising the level of feet. Ryan Devlin's project ‘Baby Water Safe Guard' alerts parents when a child's head goes below the water when the child is in the bath or the pool.

Mr. Dermot McGovern, Headmaster was delighted with the success. He felt that the standard of projects and the level of organisation at the exhibition was improving every year. "The atmosphere at the awards ceremony was electric. I was very proud to see Abbey pupils and staff walk onto the stage so often to collect awards.? He wished to thank everyone involved, " Its great to be able to congratulate all the pupils on their success after all the months of hard work and dedication. The staff deserve the highest praise for yet again ‘going the extra mile' in the interests of the pupils, this included many hours after school, in at weekends and during the Christmas holidays.” Mr. McGovern was glad to see teachers getting recognition for encouraging the pupils to achieve their best. " Following on from Mr. Tony Mooney's success last year when he won the Teacher of Excellence Award, his colleague Mr. Gerard Savage was shortlisted for this award this year. Congratulations to Mrs. Margaret Lane and Mr. Mark Rodgers for winning the Teachers Awards.” The Headmaster also paid special thanks to Miss Deirdre Mulgrew, Science teacher and Mr. Sean Higgins, Technology Technician for their invaluable help and support to the pupils both before and during the competition.