In the second part of our round-up of the second day of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2016, we spoke to some of the more creative exhibits on show.
First up in our BTYSTE 2016 round-up is one team that plans to bring biological testing to bars and nightclubs with their concept, Spyked.
The team from Coláiste an Chraoibhín in Cork showed their basic concept, which, one day, could see a an app developed that could work with a mobile phone’s camera and be capable of measuring the absorption spectrum of the controversial drug rohypnol.
As they’re quick to point out, much of the technology currently capable of testing liquids for the substance are rather bulky and incapable of being brought along for a night out.
Elsewhere, another team of students were honing their internet of things (IoT) skills with a handbag capable of alerting the owner to an incoming telephone call or text.
Given the rate at which IoT fashion is expanding, we could soon see their concepts emerging in the commercial fashion world.
Finally, we got a glimpse of how the Junior Cert curriculum could look once space becomes a greater part of science education, as is planned.
Brothers Paul and David Hamilton from Ardscoil Rís in Limerick showed us how they are putting the ‘A’ in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) with their 3D-modelling concept, which is capable of explaining space and geophysics in a much simpler manner.
The pair now hope that this educational technology could ‘take-off’ and see teachers take up their concepts to bring a more creative approach to the science of space.
Words by Colm Gorey
