The Water Forum sponsored their third Water Award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
The Water Forum would like to congratulate Taylor Armstrong and her teacher Bridget Lehane from Coláiste Muire Realt na Mara, Crosshaven, County Cork on winning the Water Forum sponsored Water Award at the BT Young Scientist Competition.
The winning project is titled: THMs and Pesticides: Hidden Hazards. The project assessed the presence of Trihalomethanes (THMs) and pesticides in water bodies across Ireland. The project tested 5 samples from rivers in County Cork and 8 samples from rivers in various locations across the country. The samples were tested for the presence of THM chemicals and pesticides using a Gas Chromotography Mass Spectrometer in University College Cork. pH and chlorine were also tested. All of the samples contained THMs, pesticides and trace elements of chlorine but further analysis is required to measures the amounts of the chemicals.
Over 2,000 projects were submitted to the BT Young Scientist Competition but only 550 made it through the selection process to participate in the 3 day event. Since the Water Forum’s first Water Award in 2023, there has been a steady increase in water related research being carried out by students in the competition. In 2023 there were 11 projects, increasing to 16 in 2024 with 25 water projects in the competition this year.
We would like to thank the Water Forum Members who participated in the event and engaged with the teachers, parents and students over the 3 days. It is an opportunity for the Water Forum to share our Learn about Water education resources with teachers and parents to promote learning about water.
Water Forum Learn about Water TY Modules
Water Quality and Pollution Teachers Resource
Freshwater Biodiversity and Habitats Teachers Resource
Using Digital Maps to learn about local water resources
The Global Impacts of how we use water
