On the second day of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2017, we spoke to students behind six very interesting projects spanning biology, machine learning, RFID and advanced maths.

These were just a smattering of the projects on display, with more than 550 projects selected from a total of 2,091 entries from 375 schools.

We spoke to Enya Nordon and Gráinne Lawlor from Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane, Co Kildare about their research into the harmful effects of dry burning an electronic cigarette.

We also spoke to Calum O’Donnell, Patrick Lis and Kieran Murphy from Ardscoil Uí Urmoltaigh in Cork about the maths of a rigged roulette wheel.

Limerick student Cian O’Donnell from Ardscoil Rís was able to demonstrate how he used 3D-printing technology and software to generate prosthetic limbs at a fraction of the cost.

Athlone Community College students Andrea White and Amy Fallon showed how it was possible to use machine learning to predict when a mobile phone or charger might explode.

We spoke to Alaidh Fox and Deirdre Hughes from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Galway about their creation of an RFID bracelet that when combined with a Python programme on a Raspberry Pi device could help in the administration of medicine to the blind and elderly using audio descriptors.

We also spoke to Sinead Hunt and Caoimhe Ní Fhlannabhra from Colaiste Íde agus Iosef, Co Limerick about their project investigating the effect of protein milk on muscular strength.

Words by John Kennedy