A European young scientist prize has been awarded to two Dublin students for their mathematical project that potentially could be of value to Nasa.
Mark Kelly and Eric Doyle from Synge Street CBS, Dublin, were announced as winners of the first prize in physics at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Bratislava, Slovakia today.
The pair were sent forward to represent Ireland in the competition after winning the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in January. They were competing with students aged between 14 and 20 from 37 countries to win the European physics award.
The winning project, Simulation accuracy in the gravitational many-body problem, included a way to help keep satellites more closely on their expected path.
The prize is worth €7,000, and they also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the London International Youth Science Forum.
Ireland has out-performed all other countries in the EU competition’s 24 year history, and it has taken home the top prize 14 times.
“It has been a summer of medal-winning in sport for Ireland, and it is great for the country to add one for its prowess in those critical subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths. Eric and Mark have done us proud,” said Colm O'Neill, chief executive of BT, which sponsors the Irish competition
The closing date for entries to next January's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin is next Monday, October 1st. For more see: btyoungscientist.com
