YOUNG SCIENTIST:IF WINNING the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is any indicator of scientific competence then this certainly proved true for Emer Jones, the 2008 young scientist.
The prizewinning student from the Presentation School, Tralee, Co Kerry, achieved the maximum 600 points in her Leaving Cert with A1s in biology, physics and chemistry, and A2s in maths and applied maths.
Emer was just 13 when she won the competition, making her the youngest ever recipient of the accolade.
Now she looks set to continue her engagement with science. She has secured a place at Cambridge University in the UK, where she plans to undertake a degree in physics.
Her winning project, entitled Research and Development of Emergency Sandbag Shelters, looked at the use of local materials, such as bamboo, to increase the stability of emergency sandbag shelters used in disaster relief zones.
The judges were impressed with the simplicity yet effectiveness of her approach.
Graham Sutherland, chief executive officer of BT, joined the congratulations.
He said producing graduates with science and mathematics skills was “imperative if we are to address the challenges facing our country”.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is in its 48th year, and in 2012 it will take place at the RDS, Dublin.
The closing date for entries is October 3rd, 2011.