Science Students Doughnut Of An Idea
12th July 2007
Belfast pupils scoop top award under the guidance of engineers from Phoenix Natural Gas.
Science pupils from Rathmore Grammar School recently competed at the finals of the Seagate Young Innovators competition held at the Odyssey Arena.
The Rathmore pupils were announced as the winners of the ‘built environment’ prize. Phoenix Natural Gas acted as Rathmore’s partner in developing their project, titled ‘Doughnut Plug’ - the invention of a device shaped like a doughnut that could stop gas escaping in the event of a gas main being accidentally damaged. The students worked closely with Phoenix throughout as they sought to invent this new mechanism to help gas engineers.
The competition is a showcase for students to display their innovative projects to a team of top judges from the worlds of science, engineering and academia. On the day both the judges and a few special visitors, including First Minister Ian Paisley, applauded Rathmore’s concept.
Phoenix CEO Peter Dixon was also there to see their presentation and commented:
“Safety is a priority for everyone working in the local natural gas industry, and for this reason it gives me great pleasure to see the local engineers of the future come up with such an innovative and forward thinking safety concept. We would also like to encourage other companies to get involved with Young Innovators as it is so important to promote and encourage engineering in our local schools”.
Rathmore Grammar teacher Kieran Doherty reflected on the whole Young Innovators experience by saying:
“The students under the mentorship of Phoenix have been through a defining experience which I feel has developed them greatly in preparation for what should be exciting career paths ahead”.
Pic; Impressing Phoenix CEO Peter Dixon are (L-R) Rathmore pupils Laurence O’Neill, Angela McCann, Niall Murray and Sarah Murray.