Aoife Fadian and Jessica O’Connor from the Ursuline College, Sligo pictured with ABP’s Michael Doyle at the ABP stand at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Aofe and Ursula’s project is entitled ‘Sheep Strength’ and explores the advantages of using wool to reinforce concrete.
Sligo Champion
Aoife Fadian and Jessica O’Connor from Ursuline College, Sligo, win runner up group at the 61st BTYSTE- the 25th exhibition under BT Ireland’s custodianship, for their project ‘Sheep Strength’: Using wool to reinforce concrete. This award was presented to the two winners this evening at the RDS in Dublin.
Aoife Fadian and Jessica O’Connor both in 4th year and aged 15 and 16 respectively, from Ursuline College in Sligo, won the prize for Runner-Up Group, with their project, ‘Sheep Strength’: Using wool to reinforce concrete. Their project involved testing the feasibility of mixing sheep wool with concrete as a more sustainable strengthening agent instead of polypropylene.
Barry Kennedy, Chair of the Technology Group Judges, said, “Aoife and Jessica carried out this excellent research project into the use of wool fibres, as a sustainable and renewable resource to strengthen concrete. Such use could potentially replace the current materials such as polypropylene fibres which are in use today. The students used extensive and rigorous testing techniques such as compression, tensile, drop, extreme heat, and freeze thaw. Their results have shown very positive potential for the use of wool in concrete. They demonstrated great skill, knowledge and hard work in investigating this more sustainable solution which could make valuable use of this renewable resource within Ireland.”
Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, said, “It has been an incredible week here at the RDS Dublin, and I would like to congratulate all the participants and finalists of this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, who have not only showcased some truly innovative project ideas, but have also done themselves, their teachers and schools, and families proud. In addition to demonstrating boundless energy and ingenuity across topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, mental health, sustainability, agriculture and many more, what has been most uplifting is seeing how STEM subjects can be used for the betterment of society and the world around us.
Over the last twenty-five years, since taking up the custodianship of the YSTE, BT Ireland has been honoured to play our part in evolving one of the most prevalent and longstanding STEM exhibitions in the world, and look forward to seeing what exciting endeavours our winners have in store in the months and years ahead. To all of the judges, partners, sponsors, and BT volunteers, thank you for making this week so unforgettable for us all.”
The exhibition continues today, 11 January, and tickets are available through the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition website or onsite at the RDS in Dublin.
This post was originally published on here
