Intel Ireland celebrates young scientific minds at Mini Scientist Grand Final

On Monday 11th March, Intel Ireland hosted the Grand Final of the 2023/2024 Mini Scientist competition, where students from across Ireland descended upon the Intel campus in Leixlip, armed with mind-boggling projects that they have been brewing for months. From generating electricity to studying what makes your heart tick, these young scientists really blew our socks off! The event marked the culmination of a nationwide competition that began in September 2023.

4th, 5th, and 6th class students from schools all over Ireland participated in the seventeenth annual Intel Mini Scientist competition, engaging in project-based learning and exhibitions to explore the world of science. Starting with projects within their own schools, Intel employees visited each participating school to assess projects for the regional finals in either Shannon, Cork or TU Dublin Blanchardstown. A panel of Intel judges then selected winners to progress to the Grand Final.

This year, over 6,800 students from 94 schools in 18 counties participated in the Mini Scientist competition, leading to over 1,000 projects that have truly inspired us. The Grand Final brought together the top 26 projects from around the country. 

Fab 24 Factory Manager and Vice President Neil Philip was thrilled to welcome these pre-teen prodigies to the Intel Campus. The event was formally opened by Minister Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Special guest Minister Byrne, said: I'm delighted to be part of the Intel Ireland Mini Scientist Grand Final. This event showcases the incredible talent and creativity of our young scientists, and I'm honoured to witness firsthand the next generation of innovators shaping our future. I want to commend Intel’s commitment to fostering the energy and the intrinsic curiosity that young people have for science."

We are proud to announce this years’ winners, from Scoil Mhuire Fatima, Timahoe Co Laois. Tomás Ramsbottom and Emma Burke from 5th class, explored a proposal to power a wireless pacemaker through kinetic energy. The inspiration for the project came about due to the fact that Tomás had a pacemaker implanted when he was a baby, and has already had several major operations.

The duo are keen to explore alternatives to the current technology and have even contacted several manufacturers in their research. “The aim of the project is to design a way of charging pacemaker batteries so that you don’t need to have repeat major surgeries,” Tomás said. As part of the prize, the overall winning school will receive a grant of €1000 from Intel.

Head Judge, Dr Jennifer McKenna, Silicon Research Manager, reflected on the overall standard of the competition, “Taking a personal story as the inspiration for their project, Tomas and Emily looked at the world around them and asked “why?” This scientific curiosity in combination with innovation underpins the essence of science and engineering. The competition this year was filled with so many ideas, novelty and originality that the judges had an extremely difficult time on deciding the winning project. It is great to see the energy, enthusiasm and level of engagement from the students throughout all rounds of the competition. It is equally enjoyable for the judges to have the privilege to speak with the students and understand the motivations behind their research.

Grand Final Overall Winner

• Perfect Pace, Scoil Mhuire Fatima, Timahoe Co. Laois
   

Runner-up Awards

• Aviation, Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
• From Laptops to Our Ears, St. Raphaela’s Primary School, Stollorgan, Co. Dublin
• Stress, Straffan National School, Straffan, Co. Kildare
• Super Sustainable Goals, Faughart Community National School, Dundalk, Co. Louth
   

Special Awards: Additional special prizes were awarded as follows:

Best Communication Award

• The Peltier Fridge, St. Patrick’s Primary School, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
   

Sustainability Award

• Homemade Battery, SN Colmcille Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare
   

Best Project Book Award

• Racing Hearts, Cratloe N.S., Cratloe, Co. Clare
   

Best Visual Display Award

• Nature’s Architect, St. Patrick’s NS, Co. Cork
   

Most Innovative Award:

• Sí an Fheamainn is Fearr – Super Seaweed, SN Leitir Mealláin, Lettermullan, Co. Galway

The students were presented with their prizes by Sarah Sexton, Intel Community Relations Director and Neil Philip, Fab 24 Factory Manager.

For more information about the Intel Ireland Mini Scientist Competition, please contact our Community Relations and Sustainable Operations team.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2024 Mini Scientist Grand Final. To see more of the fun and behind the scenes activities, visit the Intel Ireland flickr.