Project on Ash Dieback scoops Teagasc award at BT Young Scientist 2024
Abigail O’Brien Murray, Erica O’Brien Murray and Olivia O’Shea from Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan emerged triumphant at the recent BT Young Scientist, receiving both the prestigious ‘Best Group Project’ award and the esteemed ‘Teagasc Special Award’ for their outstanding scientific achievements
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Assistant Director of Research in Teagasc, Declan Troy, presenting the winners of the 'Teagasc Special Award' to recipients Abigail O’Brien Murray, Erica O’Brien Murray and Olivia O’Shea from Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan at the recent BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2024.
The winning project, titled: ‘Let’s Save the Common Ash: A Continued Story’ showcased the students' dedication, creativity, and passion for scientific inquiry in agricultural research. The collaborative effort demonstrated not only their academic prowess, but also their ability to address real-world challenges through innovative solutions.
The BT Young Scientist took place from Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th January, attracting over 1,100 participants from schools across the island of Ireland. The competition provides a platform for young minds to explore and showcase their talents in the field of science.
The team worked tirelessly to develop and present their project under the guidance of their teacher Dan Toomey. Their project stood out for its thorough research, experimental methodology and the potential impact on addressing Ash Dieback.
Team member, Olivia O’Shea explained: “Ash trees are vital for Ireland's biodiversity and culture. Currently 90% of ash trees are affected by Ash Dieback, causing leaf loss, bark lesions and dieback.
“Following on from our previous research, testing plant-pathogen interaction and the interplay between two hormones, we ran three different experiments, two in-vitro and one in-vivo”.
Abigail O’Brien Murray continued: “The first in-vitro experiment tested the effect our treatments have on the growth of the fungus. We took collections every two weeks for a period of five months, with six treatments in total with different concentrations and ratios of the two hormones.”
Erica O’Brien Murray finished by adding: “We found a treatment that works significantly across all genotypes, inhibiting the fungus on average at 82.3% and up to 92%, while also having no ill effect on the overall health and growth of the tree”.
The Teagasc Special Award, presented by the Assistant Director of Research at Teagasc, Declan Troy, recognises the project that best demonstrates a thorough understanding of the science of agricultural or food production, or the use of science to improve technologies available to agricultural or food production.
"The students should be very proud of their achievements and we wish them continued success in their scientific careers. Their hard work, curiosity, and commitment to scientific inquiry are truly commendable,” Declan Troy said. “This achievement not only reflects the talent within their school but also highlights their commitment to solving real-world problems faced in agriculture and food research."
Teagasc at BT Young Scientist 2024
Along with the presentation of the above award, the Teagasc display at the BT Young Scientist 2024 was a dynamic hub of innovation, featuring an array of captivating displays. Eimear Ferguson, Education and Public Engagement Officer at Teagasc, highlights some of these from this year’s exhibition.
For those with a taste for the culinary arts, the Teagasc exhibit on healthy and sustainable food was a must visit. Muireann Egan and Marie Conway unravelled the secrets of a 'healthy diet, healthy body, and healthy planet' using lively demonstrations on measuring sugar and pH levels in popular drinks, bringing a fun and interactive twist to nutritional awareness.
The intricate tapestry of Irish biodiversity was delved into at the birds, bees and trees exhibit. Saorla Kavanagh and Catherine Keena guided the visitors through the diverse ecosystems of Ireland, showcasing native flora, fauna and the habitats that support them. Students got up close with the fascinating world of bees, hoverflies, and even meet two resident Irish owls.
Eimear Ferguson and Francis McHugh at the Teagasc stand at BT Young Scientist 2024
Students embarked on a journey through the Future Forestry exhibit, where a 3D model of 'the place of trees on your farm' awaited exploration. They discovered the pivotal role trees play in our environment and gained insights into their significance on a farm.
From Meat Technology Ireland, the stand offered a comprehensive glimpse into the cutting-edge research and technology driving advancements in the agriculture and food processing industries.
Raquel Caetano Ferreira, Xinyue Dai, Elena Hayes and Szymon Urbas, researchers from VistaMilk, brought a touch of the future to the BT Young Scientist this year with their captivating exploration of digital technology in farming and psychology. Attendees were treated to an immersive VR experience that delved into the interplay between virtual environments, artificial intelligence and human psychology.
At the Earth observation and mapping stand, Jesko Zimmermann, Teagasc Ashtown, showcased the power of technology in understanding and monitoring our planet. Through stunning visuals and real-life examples, attendees gained insight into the role of drones and satellites in environmental research. The exhibit highlighted the potential of such technology in advancing earth observation and its applications in various scientific domains.
Donal Gernon, Teagasc Mushroom Advisory, showed students and teachers how mushrooms are grown in Ireland. His display focused on the raw materials and the growing climate required to grow mushrooms.
Additionally, the exhibition also opened a window into the realm of Further Education at Teagasc with colleagues from the National Botanic Gardens on site to discuss their various courses.