Is it possible to make a pig fly? Does exercise improve your ability to learn? Is there a special significance to the size of the bubbles floating on your pint?
These are just a few of the pressing questions that will be answered at the Esat Telecom Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which opens next week at the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge. The exhibition this year has the largest number of entries in its 36-year history, with 650 projects involving more than 1,000 students. As has been the case for some years, there are more female than male entrants - by a ratio of two to one. There has also been a doubling of entries from Northern Ireland.
There is no shortage of variety in the entries. Annmarie Ralph, Niamh Murphy and Pamela Whelan of Borris Vocational School, for example, have studied various types of animal waste to see which is best at fuelling a steam engine for generating electricity, an analysis of the power of muck, as it were.
At least as challenging is the project prepared by Rachel Kane, Lora Alexander and Jonathan McKane, of Omagh Academy Grammar School.
They have studied the aerodynamics of aircraft, gliders and birds in an effort to enable pigs to fly. They will use the aerodynamical lessons learned to build a model piglet of the correct size, wingspan and weight to allow it to take graceful flight.
Projects involving computers have grown in complexity each year and the 2000 event proves no exception. Hugh Hurley of Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh of Bishopstown, Co Cork, has written a computer programme which will enable those playing the stock market to find the best price options for Irish traded shares. The system also analyses price variations.
Clare Sullivan and Jodie Hennessy of Our Lady's Grove in Goatstown, Dublin, will demonstrate how computers could help end Ireland's persistent urban traffic jams. Computers could be used to control traffic movement and reduce congestion, and they show how it would work on a virtual road network.
Ruth Behan, Alma Willis and Rosemary O'Sullivan of Colaiste Lorcain in Casteldermot, Co Kildare, have taken to the drink, carrying out in-depth investigations into the composition of various lagers.
They are also studying variations in the surface areas of the bubbles produced by the different brews.
A team from Ballybay Community College, Co Monaghan, Colette Lennon, Clare Sullivan and Donna Keenan, are testing whether exercise increases a person's memory recall. If proven, then exercise could be considered a study aid for hard-pressed Leaving Cert candidates.
Inventions are another feature of the exhibition. An automatic car light-dimming system is a good example. Kevin Wallace, Derek McMullen and Roy Byrne of Avondale Community College, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, have developed an automated system which will dip the headlights for oncoming cars.
The exhibition runs from January 11th-15th inclusive, in the main hall of the RDS. Judging takes place from the 12th until the 14th and the winner will be announced on Friday, January 14th. The exhibition is open to the public between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Thursday, January 13th, until Saturday, January 15th.
Further information about the exhibition is available on the web at: http://www.esat.ie/ youngscientists
