This year, after 56 years in familiar operation, sees the prestigious BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition go ‘Virtual’ for the first time ever.
Showcasing their innovative product to the virtual event this year will be three Transition Year Technology students from the Royal & Prior School, Raphoe.
The Captain’s Hook Covid Key project was borne from the rise in Covid-19 cases in the Lifford Electoral Area at the start of the school year in September.
The students in question; Adam McCrabbe, Jamie Cole & Matthew Gibson, all from the locality, decided to develop a device that would help open classroom doors without direct contact via your hand. The idea being transmission levels of the virus are reduced and possibly eliminated as you will have your own Captain’s Hook Covid key to open doors and access all areas of the school building safely.
The Captain’s Hook Covid Key
Matthew Gibson putting finishing touches to his Covid Key
Adam McCrabbe with a selection of Covid Key Designs
The Project name – Captain’s Hook – originated as the boys have all displayed the ‘Captain/Leader’ type qualities that are necessary to help drive innovation and create change for the better, especially in this unfamiliar and unprecedented time in our school. The Hook element was the basis for the first prototype developed, as it was hooking onto the handle to open doors.
The team has been busy mocking up suitable designs from various materials in the workshop; Acrylic, Aluminium and even 3D Printed models. A major part of the project is the research and analysis element. Here several staff members as well as a cohort of the student body have been tasked with trialing out the Covid Key – with all feedback welcome and helping to inform and guide the next iteration of the design.
Mrs O’Brien testing the product
Mrs McCandless gaining entry, safely, to her classroom
Team member Jamie Cole says: “I am having a great time participating in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition with my friend’s. We’ve come so far with our idea and it’s great to see our hard work finally paying off. I’m really looking forward to pitching our product idea to see what people think of our idea and if they’d use it in an ordinary setting”.
The team’s TY Technology Teacher, Mr Michael Healy adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these students to pitch their presentation skills and their innovative product to the judges and against competition from all schools from all four corners of Ireland. It takes a great deal of time and effort to make it this far in the actual event, so the team should be fully deserving of any and all plaudits that may come their way, with maybe a prize or category award not beyond the realms of possibility”.
Tubular handles – no bother
A busy three weeks lie ahead for the Captain’s Hook Covid Key Team, with the event itself taking place on Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th January. This is where the team members will be interviewed by the illustrious BTYSTE judging panel, made up of past winners and University & Global Business experts, and given the opportunity to pitch their innovation product.
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