Killaloe Boys excel at Intel Mini Scientist Competition

A highlight of the academic year at Killaloe Boys NS is the annual Intel Mini Scientist competition, which gives Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes the opportunity to explore science and technology through project-based learning and exhibitions. 

The judges recently visited the boys’ exhibition and were most impressed by the high standard of the projects. Well done to all the boys and to their teachers.

Unfortunately, there can be only one winning team and a most impressive project, entitled ‘Lemon Power’ caught the eye of the judges. Congratulations to the winners - Aaroon Dillon, Finn Sheran, James Moroney and Séan Hayes – who now go forward to the next stage of the competition, which will be held in Shannon later in November.

The Lemon Power project researched the amount of electricity that could be got from lemons. The four Sixth Class boys attached anodes and cathodes to the lemons using copper and a metal nail and set up circuits using crocodile clips. They were able to power small lightbulbs from the power the lemons were emitting, measure the voltage on a multi-meter and in the coming weeks, they will continue their research in preparation for their upcoming exhibition in Intel’s plant in Shannon.