Kinsale students win top gong at Young Scientist exhibition

Three third-year students from Kinsale Community College in Co Cork have won the overall prize at this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition.

The three 15-year-olds - Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, took home the top prize for their project entitled, “A statistical investigation of the effects of Diazotroph bacteria on plant germination”.

Ciara, Emer and Sophie were presented with a cheque for €5,000, the opportunity to represent Ireland at the 25th European Union Young Scientist competition taking place in Prague in September and a Waterford crystal trophy.

Almost 1,200 students from 31 counties covering 550 projects from 216 schools nationwide competed for the coveted title ‘Winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2013.’