IOP in Ireland fantastic physics demos at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition: 14-16 January

4 January 2010

Bob Kirby-Harris with the winners of the IOP Physics Prize

14-16 January BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin 4

A fantastic array of demonstrations being presented to the public at the Institute of Physics in Ireland stand at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in the RDS in Dublin: the physics of radiation using a natural radioactive source (Lo salt), an x-ray tube, Van der graaf generator, optics and Illusions, Euler discs, gyroscopes, fibre-optic spectrometer, Doppler ultrasound, pulse oximetry, piezo electrics and much more. The physics experts are on standby to explain EVERYTHING - from physics departments in TCD, DCU, DIT, NUIM, UCD, NUIG, QUB, UCC, UL and the Medical Physicists association.

The Institute of Physics prize at the 2010 BT Young Scientist Exhibition was awarded to Zoe Cheng and Fiona McLaughlin of Loreto College, Coleraine, N. Ireland. Their project, ‘An Investigation of the Rotation of Thin Films under the Action of Perpendicular Electric Fields’ won critical acclaim from the judges for its originality and detailed scientific method.

The first time entrants, who are in Upper Sixth and both taking A Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths also won the best group senior prize in the Chemistry and Physics category of the competition.

With thousands of visitors to the exhibition between Jan 14th and 16th, demonstrators at the Institute of Physics in Ireland stand were kept exceptionally busy, Sean Walsh from NUI Galway, Physics Department noted that children kept sending their parents over to the stand such was their fascination with the multiple exhibits.

Images from the Institute of Physics in Ireland stand

Jack O'Brien and Padraig Clinton, from Rathbegan NS Co.Meath, trying to pull apart 'Magdeberg Hemispheres'

Ruarai Murphy, from Rathbegan NS Co.Meath, running while a pulse oximeter measures his oxygen levels

Emer O'Neill, aged 7 from Ratoath Junior NS Co. Meath explores surface tension of a soap film

Credit for all images: Bryan Brophy

^ To the top ^