Elsie O’Sullivan, Rowena Mooney and Patricia Lyle from Scoile Mhuire in Portarlington, County Laois were announced as the overall winners of the Aer Lingus Young Scientist of the Year Exhibition.
Their study of the Irish honeybee entitled ‘The Perfect Queen Bee' was described by the judges as 'stunning' and could help identify bees that produce more honey. The three successful students now go to the European Union finals to be held in Helsinki, Finland.
Also demonstrating his project in the The Young Scientist Exhibition was student Sean McKiernan from County Cavan who carried out a study on bullying in schools. His results concluded that two out of five students had experienced bullying.
For the first time four primary schools presented their projects in the Young Scientist Exhibition, leading Minister for Education Niamh Breathnach to outline her plans for more emphasis to be placed on the teaching of science at primary level.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 January 1996. The reporter is Carole Coleman.
