Two 6th class boys, David Duggan and Jack Hyland returned to Timahoe NS this week to rapturous applause having been crowned All-Ireland runners up at the Intel Mini Scientist Grand Final held at DCU on Friday.
“A Way With The Wind” was one of only 28 projects on exhibition at the Helix for the Intel Competition which began nationwide last September with 8,000 participating students.
Education Minister Richard Bruton presented them with a crystal trophy and framed certificates.
Their project attracted huge attention throughout the day not only of 16 judges but also of the general public.
The award winning project tackled the divisive issue of wind farms, focussing specifically on the 18 turbine wind–farm proposed for Cullenagh Mountain, which is in close proximity to the school.
Acting like true scientists the science-mad boys began their project by surveying people to find out what their specific objections were to the proposed wind-farm.
Turbine
Using that information as the basis for their design criteria, they set about designing a turbine that would be more acceptable. 75% of respondents had replied that they would consider an alternative option.
Many design stages later they had a functioning model. According to the boys the turbine they had designed would power all of Timahoe for a year.
They then shared their finding with land owners Coillte when Community Engagement Manager Andy Fox came to the school. He was so impressed with the project that he invited the boys to meet with Coillte Managing Director Mark Foley in two weeks time.
This All-Ireland runner up award continues an incredible winning streak for Timahoe NS in the Intel Mini Scientist competition having won the All Ireland in 2015 (Jamie Boyle and Roisin Dunne) and in 2016 (Sinead Buggy and Laura Miller), the ‘best project book’ award in 2017 (Aoife Fitzpatrick), and now 2018 All-Ireland Runners Up.
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