Two Cork schools pick up scientific awards

Two Cork primary schools have picked up awards at a national competition aimed at discovering Ireland’s next generation of groundbreaking scientists.

Baltydaniel National School in Mallow were awarded the ‘Best Visual Display’ prize at 2025 Intel Mini Scientist Competition for their project titled ‘Camera Obscura.’

Meanwhile Grange NS in Fermoy received an overall runner up prize, for their project ‘Hurleys and Materials.’

This year more than 6,800 students from 94 schools in 18 counties participated in the competition, with the grand final bringing together the top 80 projects from across the country.

The event marked the culmination of the nationwide competition, which commenced last September.

The Intel Mini Scientist competition gives primary school students the chance to explore science and technology through project based learning and exhibitions.

Intel vice president Joe Bolger praised the entrants who made it to the grand final held at TU Dublin.

“This is our largest mini-scientist competition ever and shows the interest in science among our young people. The standard of this year’s projects is excellent and they are a credit to the pupils and the teachers who supported them.

“Encouraging scientific endeavours at all levels in our schools will ensure a bright future for our young people.”

Head judge Sheila Porter, Scifest founder and CEO, said the competition is a wonderful opportunity for young people from national schools and gaelscoileanna across the country to showcase their scientific knowledge.

“The breath of projects ranging from the benefits of eating beetroot for aerobic fitness, to a project on hydroelectricity, and the level of knowledge demonstrated by today’s finalists has been truly impressive.”

Castleknock Educate Together were crowned as the overall winners of the competition. Prahaladh Pradeep won the award for his Evac Smart project, a smart evacuation system that detects smoke and lights up the safest path for exit from a burning building.