This year’s Stripe Young Scientists & Technology Exhibition 2026 was a remarkable showcase of curiosity, creativity, and
commitment, and our school is immensely proud of the outstanding group of 17 students who represented us over four
inspiring days at the RDS last week. Competing alongside some of the brightest young minds in the country, our students
demonstrated not only academic excellence but also resilience, teamwork, and a genuine passion for inquiry. They represented
the school with tremendous distinction from start to finish.
From early mornings refining displays to confidently answering challenging questions from judges and members of the public,
our Young Scientists rose to every challenge. Their projects addressed real-world issues across science, technology, engineering,
and social research, reflecting both intellectual ambition and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society.
A special word of congratulations goes to 2nd-year Blake Carey, who achieved 2nd place in the Biological and Ecological Sciences
Junior Individual category for his project “Do Micro-plastics in Freshwater Sediments Alter the Nitrogen Cycle?” Judges described
the project as “interesting with interesting results” and were particularly impressed by Blake’s identification of an inverse
relationship between ammonia and nitrate. His careful experimental design and clear explanation of complex environmental
processes demonstrated a strong understanding of ecology and environmental chemistry, earning him well-deserved national
recognition.
Azmain Bin Abduzzaher delivered an impressive individual project titled “Isometric vs Isotonic Strength Training in Teenagers.”
Judges praised the relevance of his research to gym-goers and encouraged him to continue developing tailored training regimes.
His confident presentation, strong grasp of sports science principles, and thoughtful discussion of results highlighted how
Scientific research can directly inform everyday practice.
Well done also to Modasir Ahadmanish, Mohammad Zamir and Nabil Wan Mohd Rozir, who received a Highly Commended
Award in the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Intermediate Group category for their project “Biomechanics of
Hand Grip Strength vs Hand Size.” This team delivered an engaging and well-structured investigation into whether hand size can
predict grip strength in teenagers. Using force-measurement equipment, they collected and analysed data with great care,
linking anatomy to performance in sports and everyday tasks. Judges described it as a “very nice project, clearly described and
reported.” While the data showed some scatter — typical of biophysical studies — a clear trend was evident. Judges also
commended the team for engaging a large number of students across the school, helping to raise the profile of the competition.
They were particularly impressed by the team’s collaborative approach, the clarity of their experimental method, and their
ability to discuss the limitations and applications of their findings. Their project bridged biology, physics and sports science, and
demonstrated how scientific research can be applied to real-life questions. Their enthusiasm, teamwork and professionalism
stood out throughout the exhibition.
Another group that captured attention was Shafin Chowdhury and Kai Luthfi Mohd Adrian, whose project “Time Pressure and
Risk-Taking in Male Adolescents” examined how decision-making changes under pressure. By using fast-paced decision-making
games, they compared choices made with a countdown timer versus those made with ample thinking time. Their findings have
important implications for understanding behaviour in exams, sports and other high-pressure situations faced by students.
The judges commended Shafin and Kai for their thoughtful experimental design and their insightful discussion of how time
pressure may influence impulsivity and risk-taking. Their project showed strong links between psychology and education,
highlighting how research can inform better practices in schools.
David Omiko and Muhammad Memon explored assessment design in their project “Typing Speed Pressure in Online Tests:
Visible Timer vs Hidden Timer.” Their study examined whether countdown clocks in online assessments increase stress or lead to
more mistakes. By comparing typing accuracy, speed and confidence levels under different conditions, they produced findings
that could contribute to fairer and more effective digital testing environments.
Their clear presentation, careful data collection and practical focus impressed both judges and educators, particularly as online
testing becomes more common in schools. The project demonstrated how small design choices in educational technology can
have a significant impact on student performance and well-being.
Judges particularly enjoyed reading about their experimental study, noting that the hypothesis was well informed by prior
scientific research as well as the students’ own experiences and curiosity. Their work highlighted how small design choices in
online testing can significantly impact student performance and well-being.
In the field of energy and engineering, Felix Sachin, Jeremy Jobi and Andrew Cyril impressed with their project “Electrolyte
Concentration and Fuel Cell Output.” The team built a working fuel cell to investigate how different salt concentrations affect
electricity production. Their project combined chemistry, physics and engineering principles, offering insights into how clean
energy systems might be improved in the future.
The judges praised the team’s technical skill, persistence in overcoming experimental challenges, and their ability to clearly
explain how fuel cells work. Their project reflected a strong awareness of global energy challenges and the role of science in
developing sustainable solutions.
Social science was also well represented by Bobby Watts and Donagh McDevitt, whose project “Competitive vs Cooperative
Framing: Effects on Ethical Choices in Male Adolescents” examined how messaging influences fairness and decision-making. By
comparing responses to tasks framed as competitive versus cooperative, they explored how language and context can shape
ethical behaviour.Their findings sparked thoughtful discussion among judges and visitors alike, offering valuable insights into how schools and
educators can encourage cooperation and positive social behaviour. The project stood out for its relevance, originality and
careful interpretation of results.
Environmental science featured prominently in the work of 1st-year Hadi Meer, Hamza Imran and Hassan Naveed, who presented
“Biodegradable Plastics vs Conventional Plastics in Acid/Base Environments.” Their investigation tested whether biodegradable
plastics truly perform better than conventional plastics when exposed to harsh environmental conditions. By examining
degradation rates under acidic and basic environments, they challenged assumptions about so-called “eco-friendly” materials.
The judges commended the team for their rigorous testing, balanced conclusions and awareness of the complexities
surrounding environmental sustainability. Their project highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making when
addressing environmental issues.
Adding to the excitement of the week, some of our students also had the unique opportunity to meet national leaders while
showcasing their work at the RDS. Several students were delighted to meet An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who took time to
engage with the exhibition and speak with students about their projects and future ambitions. In a lighter and much-talked-about-
about moment, Donagh McDevitt found himself challenged to a spontaneous game of Rock, Paper, Scissors by An Tánaiste,
Simon Harris, as he passed the stand! The good-humoured interaction drew smiles from onlookers and perfectly captured the
friendly, welcoming atmosphere of the exhibition, while also highlighting the confidence and composure of our students when
engaging with visitors from all walks of life.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to local TDs Paul Gogarty and Shane Moynihan for taking the time to engage so
positively with our students. During the exhibition, both TDs stopped at the students’ stalls, showing genuine interest in their
work. They asked thoughtful questions about the projects on display and took time to listen carefully as students explained their
ideas, research, and findings. This level of engagement made the experience especially meaningful for the young scientists
involved.
Their words of encouragement and support gave students a real confidence boost and reinforced the value of curiosity,
creativity, and hard work. Opportunities like this help inspire students to believe in their abilities and to continue exploring
science and innovation. We are very grateful for their time, enthusiasm, and support of our school community.
The success of our students would not have been possible without the dedication and support of Ms. Farrell and Mr. Carey. Ms.
Farrell, who was exceptionally helpful throughout the entire preparation process, remained with the students for all four
days of the exhibition. She was a constant source of encouragement, guidance and reassurance over the past number of
months, and her commitment played a vital role in the students’ success.
Mr. Carey supported the students throughout the entire process, offering expertise, motivation and practical assistance at every
stage of their projects. The guidance and encouragement from both teachers ensured that students felt confident, prepared and
proud of their work. They offered guidance to them with their project work, the report book, the poster for the display, the
video that goes along with the entry and also practising the presentation and interviews with judges.
Many of the students are now keen to participate in upcoming SciFest competitions, inspired by their positive experiences at the
RDS. The exhibition has sparked a renewed enthusiasm for scientific exploration and innovation within the school, and we look
forward to seeing this passion continue to grow.
Congratulations once again to all our Young Scientists.