Cork students at the top of the class at BT Young Scientist 

Cork students have once again proven their credentials as among the most scientifically curious in the country with a significant haul of prizes and highly commended certificates from this year's BT Young Scientist and Technologist Exhibition (BTYSE). 

While the overall title was won by a trio of Kerry sisters, the winner of the individual BT Young Scientist and Technologist award was Tomás Markey of St Brogan’s College in Bandon while St Mary’s Secondary School in Macroom won the title of the Best Overall School in the Republic of Ireland.

The Bandon student’s project, which has earned him the right to represent Ireland at the World Expo when it’s held in Osaka, Japan later this year, focused on a method to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Tomás was one of several students from St Brogan’s to win awards at the BTYSE held at the RDS in Dublin this week. 

His project also won the Analog Devices Technology Award. 

Among the others from the school to have their projects recognised were Caoimhe Ryan, Ella O’Driscoll and Tadhg Óg O’Donovan who secured second place in the Senior Group Social and Behavioural Sciences section with their project on the electoral system. 

Bandon-based Fianna Fáil councillor and Cork Education and Training Board chairperson Gillian Coughlan said she was delighted to have been interviewed as part of that project. 

"There was, by all accounts, a really high standard of entry and it bodes well for the future of our country that the brains of the country are focused on the issues and challenges facing our society," she added. 

St Brogan's principal, Helen Cadogan, said the school had a "big celebration" planned for tomorrow morning, adding: "We're really looking forward to it."

Celebrations are likely across the city and county tomorrow morning as students from schools such as Coláiste Treasa in Kanturk, Kinsale Community School, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Glanmire, Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig, Regina Mundi College in Douglas and St Mary's Secondary School in Mallow went to the podium to collect a variety of prizes. 

Arlene O'Donoghue, a teacher at St Mary's Secondary Secondary School in Macroom, said the school was delighted following its success at the exhibition. 

"Shannen Foley and Roisín O'Keeffe are the science teachers who worked with the girls this year.

"We are absolutely delighted, [it's] such an amazing achievement and great to get the recognition they richly deserve.

"They work so hard," she said.