Have some Irish kids just debunked some well-known scientific studies with their own individual school projects? Today on the Anton Savage Show, Neil Delamere spoke to three entrants out of the 1,034 taking part at the 2016 BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition who have turned ancient science on its head - at least in terms of animals reacting to seeing themselves in the mirror and what magpies like to steal.
With his project ‘Animals Reacting to Mirrors’ young Harry Maguire, a 1st year student at Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo wanted to find out how animals reacted when they saw themselves in the mirror.
At Neil found out, his study was the first major one of its kind study since Charles Darwin in 1800’s! Astonishingly, 14 year old Harry turned some old scientific findings on their head, when certain bird types reacted much differently than has been previously found and recorded!
Harry was inspired by watching nature documentaries, and initially started with his own cat, before moving on to study other animals including crows and jackdaws, dogs and, with the help of the Merlin Wildlife Sanctuary, European owls, snowy owls, eagles, kestrals and pole cats.
With their project, ‘Do Animals Steal Shiny Objects’, Ciara O’Keefe and Ella McCarthy, transition year students from Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, County Cork wanted to investigate the myth that magpies are attracted to shiny objects and are natures master criminals. What happened? Have a listen to find out!
Their school in Ballincolig loves the Young Scientists, and this year has the most projects at it – a whopping 22!
Now in its 52nd year and the largest event of its kind in Europe, the BT Young Scientists opens to the public tomorrow morning (Thursday) and is open Friday Saturday too. In all, there are 550 projects, representing 1034 students. As ever, a trip to see it at the RDS in Dublin;s Ballsbridge is an amazing day out.
Further info: WWW.BTYOUNGSCIENTISTS.COM
