From crunchy cockroaches to grill fat, this year's Young Scientist exhibition promises a variety of flavours, writes Dick Ahlstrom
Fancy munching your way through a few crunchy cockroaches or slippery bush worms? The opportunity to try a "bushtucker trial" is on offer this year at the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which opens next week at the RDS in Dublin.
"Eating Creepy Crawlies" is just one of the various attractions planned for the Exhibition this year. Another is the "Theatre of Science", the acclaimed science show that involves the talents of Richard Wiseman and Simon Singh, who, in their 30 minute programme, will demonstrate optical illusions, create six-foot long bolts of electricity and explain the science of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
The real show, of course, will be the hundreds of student entries to the Exhibition itself. The young scientists always manage to impress with their carefully prepared projects which come under the scrutiny of the judges.
Typical of the fine projects to be seen at the Exhibition this year is a study of the health benefits or otherwise of the Lean Mean Grilling Machine, a form of electric grill. The Machine was scrutinised by two second-year students from St Dominic's High School, Sutton, Dublin.
Katie Nangle (14) and Eimear McPhillips (13), both first-time participants, wanted to see whether the much-touted grill really worked in reducing the fat left behind in foods after cooking.
"We found that they work for some foods and not for others," explains Katie. "They work for sausages but don't work as well for chicken."
The two students cooked sausages and chicken pieces on the Machine and also on a conventional grill. They measured the food, pre- and post-cooking, measured fat and water runoff with both methods and assessed flavour afterwards.
While the Machine did reduce fat content in sausages it left the chicken too dry as it drives off water, the two discovered. "They are handy and easy but a grill could be just as good," Eimear maintains.
She also explained the rationale for the project. "We saw there was a lot of concern about obesity and thought the Lean Mean Grilling Machine might make a difference." They wanted to see whether it actually delivered.
Sean Roberti (15), a fifth-year student from Beara Community School, Castletownbere, Co Cork took a different tack, developing a computer programme that can solve algebra problems.
"It can factorise and simplify expressions to Leaving Cert standard and solve equations to Junior Cert standard," says Sean.
He used the Java programming language, learned while attending the Irish Centre for Talented Youth at Dublin City University. He had produced a number of games and small programmes using Quick Basic but this is his his most complex programme yet.
"When I was starting to learn algebra at school I was experimenting with programming at home," he says. "I wanted to see if I could develop a programme to solve algebra."
It took more than a year but he can now solve algebra problems using his new software. A first-time entrant, he was encouraged to take part after his twin sister brought a project to the Exhibition last year.
A second-year student from Kilrush Community School, Kilrush, Co Clare put together a project on the best growing medium for a selection of vegetables.
Kate O'Reilly (14) began her experiments last September using carrots, radish, coriander herb, lettuce and spring onions. "I am trying to see which soil grows the vegetables best," she explains.
She has five soil variants under test, including ordinary top soil and top soil spiked with home-made compost, ordinary compost, seaweed and manure. "Most of the plants are growing tall, but I haven't seen underneath yet," she says.
The plants won't be assessed until closer to the Exhibition, but she plans to measure top growth and weigh the plants and assess root development; she will also measure the five soil types for nitrogen, phosphate and potash content and also for acidity.
This is her first entry to the Exhibition and she decided to participate after positive reports from a school friend who entered last year.
• The 42nd Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition takes place from Jan 10 to 14 at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Opens to the public from Jan 12 (1.30-5.30pm) to Jan 14 (9.30am-5.30pm). Last year's exhibition attracted 35,000 visitors. Admission is €5 for students and concessions, €10 for adults, €25 for a family ticket (two adults and two children) and €3.50 for primary pupils. School visits or parties of 20 or more cost €4 per student.