Tipp students participate in Online Science Showcase
Student scientists from three Tipperary schools will showcase their research projects at an innovative 'Science for Development' event taking place online, next Wednesday.
The projects, which look at such diverse topics as 'How Copper Door Handles in Hospitals Could Provide Infection Control', how 'Sheeps Wool Could Help Combat Climate Change', and the benefits of 'Converting Diesel Tractors to Electric', are amongst close to 30 schools projects selected for the event, which is organised by Irish NGO Self Help Africa in collaboration with Irish Aid, the overseas development arm of the Dept of Foreign Affairs.
The Tipperary students, who are from Borrisoleigh, Fethard and Tipperary town join around 100 students from schools across Ireland at the event, while will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, March 24th, from 11 to 12.45pm.
100 teenagers from close to 30 Irish post-primary schools will present their scientific projects, at the annual student event hosted by Self Help Africa’s Development Education team, in collaboration with Irish Aid. It will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, March 24th, from 11-12.45pm.
The event will feature a ‘virtual tour’ of Iveagh House, the HQ of the Dept of Foreign Affairs and traditional host venue for the Spring event. The showcase will feature a wide variety of environmental, social science and global development focussed projects that had featured at this year’s BT Young Science and Technology Exhibition, in January.
An offshoot of that expo, the ‘Science for Development’ event celebrates innovative student projects that seek to address issues and challenges that can affect communities in poorer countries in the world. It is supported by Irish Aid, who sponsor the popular annual ‘Science for Development’ Award at the BTYS Exhibition.
The event will be officially opened by Colm Brophy, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora. Guests speakers will also include BT Young Scientist Expo co-founder, Dr. Tony Scott, Botswanan social scientist, Lovemore Gwiriri from Rothamsted Experimental Research Centre in the UK, and former BTYSTE ‘Science for Development’ award winner Timothy McGrath, who will speak about his newly created social enterprise, ReFRAME.
The St Joseph's, Borrisoleagh students joining the event are Eoin Kelly, Tim Comerford, John-Paul Curran. Their project asks: 'Should Diesel Powered Tractors be Converted to Electric Power?'; John David O'Donnell from Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard, will present his project 'Can using sheep's wool combat Climate Change', while Ava O'Sullivan, Aine Carew, Ellie Cremins from St. Anne's Secondary School in Tipperary town will attend with their project "An Investigation into the effectiveness of Copper Door Handles in Hospitals, Schools and Care Homes as an Infection Control Measure."