Young Scientist success for Ard Scoil Chiarain

Two students from Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa in Clara, Shona Stewart and Katie Rabbette, caused great excitement among the school and local community in learning that they won a 'Display Award' in the Biological and Ecological category at this year"s BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition held in the RDS last week. It was a great achievement for the girls as they were the only successful entry from Offaly this year. Their project was entitled 'To test the nutrient value of three types of sphagnum moss to use as a low cost salad crop'. They had to endure three gruelling days of questioning by various adjudicators but said that they"re do it all again tomorrow, as it was very education and enjoyable experience. From testing the moss, the girls say it will be beneficial because it has various nutrients and minerals in it and they hope to carry out further tests on the moss from the local Clara bog in the coming months. Because of their success Shona and Katie have been invited by Dr Brid Quilty form DCU to visit the college and the UN UNESCO has also asked the girls to enter a competition in May. The girls used a growth chamber for the moss, built specially for them and the use of fluorescent lights for up to 16 hours a day. They used this to keep a controlled environment in which to grow the three kinds of moss. They also displayed results of some of the tests carried out and there was also a photo display showing pictures from the bog and the various testing done. They had to produce a diary and reports for the adjudicators and a large poster was made which was displayed behind the gas chamber. The two girls were honoured to represent their local school and by achieving this award is yet again testimony to the success of the school. Shona and Katie want to thank their principal Mr Dominic Guinan, their science teacher Mrs Gorry and Dr Michelle McKeon Bennett from Limerick IT for their help and support. They also want to thank Taoiseach Brian Cowen for visiting their project in the RDS and to Michael McKeon for making the chamber for them. Finally, they"d like to thank their family and friends for all their support during the competition.