Two local biology students are set to fly the flag for Mullingar and north Westmeath in January’s Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, when they represent their school at the popular secondary school competition in Dublin’s RDS.
Leaving Cert students Aoife Woods (17) and Amy Allard (16) from Mullingar Community College are representing their school, in what is the school’s first ever entry into the competition, which will see hundreds of science and technology students from throughout Ireland,showcase their projects to the competition’s judges.
The science duo are to compete in the Biological and Ecological category, with their project titled ‘Sphagnum Peat Moss as an alternative to commercial flower foods.’
The goal of the project is to find an organic everyday and longer-lasting alternative to a standard packet of flower food for fresh cut flowers, which they say has been a thoroughly interesting project.
“We were both study partners in science class when we chose to study biology for the Leaving Cert and through our friendship and interest in science, we entered the competition in February,” said Aoife, who says it was their last chance at entering. “With our final year of secondary school approaching, it was our only chance so we decided we might as well give it a shot.”
The science buffs both hope to go on to study science-related subjecs at third level, Aoife hoping to study radiography, while Amy hopes to study forensics
Their teacher, Leanne Moore, stressed the importance of biology in today’s world, describing it as the “next big thing” while also offering great praise to her students. “Without doubt, the area of biology is going to be of huge importance in the not-too-distant-future. From alternative energies to food, it will be a huge factor in the world. Great credit is due to the girls. I’ve only been the facilitator. They came up with the idea and they’re doing it all on their own and the school is really proud of them.”
The 2015 Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from 7 to 10 January, 2015. There are over 120 awards to be won including the prestigious Young Scientist and Technologist of the Year.
