It’s a closes have for Scifest winner

18- YEAR- OLD Aaron Hannon, who’s a Leaving Certificate student at St Muredach’s College in Ballina, won the SciFest ‘ Best Project’ award at IT Sligo for his ‘ EnableArm’ project and will now go on to represent the region at the All- Ireland SciFest final in November this year.

“I got the idea from my grandfather who got a stroke in late 2003. Before he passed away, for the rest of his life , his left arm was paralysed and his right arm suffered from hand weakness.

“So, I wanted to create something that could help people in his situation.

“I designed all the parts of the EnableArm device using Computer- Aid design, and 3D printed them.

“I did a lot of protyping and worked on the electronics too to create a fully functional

The EnableArm device has been tested on a human face and Aaron is currently applying for a patent.

Congratulating Aaron on his success, SciFest co- ordinator at IT Sligo, Bill Crowe, said: “As always, the projects entered by the students in SciFest are impressive, engaging and thought- provoking.

“Secondary school students from across the region are demonstrating their passion for science, technology, engineering and maths, which is clearly evident from the high standard of research that has gone into the entries this year.

“SciFest is a competition that aims to encourage students to develop an interest in STEM, while prioritising inclusivity and inquiry- based learning. We are proud to support such a valuable programme.”

SciFest is an all- inclusive, all- island science initiative which fosters active, collaborative and inquiry- based learning among second- level students. SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Boston Scientific, Intel and Abbott.

This year’s regional event at IT Sligo attracted a record 361 students from counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon.

Commenting on the SciFest@ ITSligo fair, Sheila Porter, SciFest CEO said: “This year we are celebrating 10 years of SciFest science fairs. In that time, the number of students participating has increased fivefold and they have produced an amazing range of subjects across the STEM disciplines.

“SciFest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry- based approaches to learning, while developing their creative and problem- solving skills and learning to work in a team.”

SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Boston Scientific, Intel and Abbott. The winners from each regional science fair go on to compete at a national final in November 2017.

Ursuline College Transition Year students Ava O’Grady, Ailbhe Morgan and Emer Kearins were prizewinners for their ‘ Seven is Scarlet’ project at IT Sligo’s SciFest Fairr last Tuesday. Also pictured is Anne Lynch ( SciFest Schools Liaison Officer)....

Pic: James Connolly Lara McDonagh and Ava Connolly from Ursuline College, Sligo, receive their SciFest 2017 Physical Sciences award from Dr Jerry Bird, Head of School of Science, at IT Sligo) for their project on ‘ Mirages and the refraction of light.’

Ailish Duggan and Erin O’Connor, second year students from Colaiste Mhuire, Ballymote, with their ‘ Football Boots – Fact or Friction?’ project at IT Sligo’s SciFest 2017 at IT Sligo last week.

( L- R) Catriona Snow and Caoimhe McDonagh from Coola Post Primary School, were among the prizewinners in the Junior Life Science category at IT Sligo’s SciFest 2017