BT Young Scientist News

The School was represented this year by two second year students, Ben Nolan and Fionnuala Connelly. Their entrepreneurial technology project was titled “Mediavista - Smartphone controlled TV Media Centre”. This project was developed with the assistance of their teachers Dr Tom Foyle and Dr Des Murphy. The technology allowed the conversion of a standard TV into a smart TV allowing internet access to sites such a YouTube and the play back of music and film on a standard TV. This all can be controlled from the comfort of the couch using any smartphone which acts as a remote control. The project generated great interest and they received several orders to purchase the device at the exhibition from attendees. Their picture and project also featured in the Irish Times in an article entitled “Smart, Easy-to-Market Product puts Technology Centre Stage at the RDS” on Friday 10^th January. It also drew high profile interest from the Chief Technology Officer of RTE, Richard Waghorn who was interested in its potential to be integrated with RTE’s Saorview service. The project also drew the attention of the Labour Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and the CEO of the BT Ireland Colm O'Neill. Overall the project received an excellent “Highly Commended” award in recognition of the calibre of the work achieved by these young scientists.