Three awardsfor St. Killian’s

The college has been presented with the “Best Northern Ireland School Award” despite stiff competition from a total of 29 schools in the province.

Students also won the “Best Project Award” and came second in the “Senior Group Award” for their “Time Compressed Transport Tester” project.

BT Young Scientist received a total of 550 projects from 206 schools north and south of the border.

Leah Cosgrove, Eimhear Carey and Rachael O’Boyle, under the supervision of teacher Sean Connolly, designed a vibration table.

They had been working in partnership with Camlin Technologies for a Gold Crest Award, last year, when they were asked to design a device to simulate transportation so that each product could be tested for transport damage before it leaves the factory.

The team carried out tests using an accelerometer to see if the frequencies produced were correct and if there was suitable displacement that would simulate the correct conditions experienced by a product during transport.

Further research and tests produced a time compressed transport tester.

The school also entered a project in the junior category of the competition presented by Year 11 students Murray Emerson and Niall Black.

Again with help and guidance from Mr Connolly, the boys designed and made a small cheap, portable, programmable WiFi camera that can stream video over a distance of up to 30 metres.

This can be picked up by any small portable WiFi device such as a smart phone, Ipad or laptop etc. without any internet connection.

Congratulating the five pupils and Mr. Connolly, Jonny Brady, principal of St. Killian’s, said: “St Killian’s has been a constant attendee at the BTYS exhibition since we opened in 2010.

“To achieve one accolade is superb. However both teams and Mr. Connolly have won three, including best project and best school from Northern Ireland.

“A fantastic achievement and one thoroughly deserved.

“I want to congratulate the two teams and Mr Connolly; the hard work, dedication and commitment has paid off.”

St Killian’s is very proud of you.”