Sentinus Young Innovators
St. Colman’s College success at Sentinus Young Innovators 2012
Six Design and Technology students from St. Colman’s College, Violet Hill, Newry displayed their A Level Engineering and Product Design projects to the judges at the prestigious Sentinus Young Innovators competition. The event, held on Tuesday 19th June, in the Odyssey arenaBelfast, is one of the largest showcases of its kind in theUnited Kingdom and provides students with an opportunity to present their design solutions and manufacturing skills to teams of expert judges and their peers.
Staff and pupils at the College were delighted to learn that;
- Mark Mc Evoy (Dromore) was presented with the Young Engineer for Britain Award for Engineering Excellence. He received a Crystal trophy, Certificate and prize of £200 for his MULTI-SPIKE product.
In achieving this top award in Northern Ireland Mark will automatically progress to the UKfinals of the National Science and Engineering Competition ‘The Big Bang’ to be held in March 2013 inLondon.
Mark’s prototype is designed for use with all contemporary tractor front loaders. Constructed from heavy gauge steel the MULTI-SPIKE allows the tractor operator to handle / unload round or rectangular bales without leaving the cab.
Unique features of the product are the incorporation of a hydraulically operated convex ‘push plate’ which aids retraction of the machine once bales are stacked and extending / retractable side spikes for handling wide bales. Mark’s ability to utilise CAD/CAM during the design phase, the range of fabrication skills demonstrated and the quality of finish impressed the judge’s greatly.
Much comment and interest was shown in the MULTI-SPIKE during the event.
- Niall Murphy (Mullaghbawn) was presented with the Young Engineer for Britain Winner (Senior category) 2012 prize, £100 and crystal trophy for his TELE-SPIKE product.
Niall’s prototype is designed for use on an agricultural front loader. It is a multi purpose handler with four removable tines (spikes) and two hydraulic support extensions which allows the machine operator to handle various types of bales singularly or in pairs with increased safety.
An additional feature is the inclusion of round tube sleeves for the centre tines to allow handling of wrapped bales without puncturing.
Niall was later presented with the Sentinus Award for Craftsmanship and a £125 prize for the quality of his engineering fabrication skills in the production of the TELE-SPIKE.
Niall will also compete at the National Science and Engineering Competition ‘The Big Bang’ inLondon next March.
All at St. Colman’s wish Niall and Mark continued success in competing against the best technology and engineering students in theUK.
- David O’Connell (Mount Pleasant Dundalk) was presented with the First Derivatives Award for Commercial Potential, a prize of £125 and a crystal trophy for his HYDRAULIC LOG CLAMP.
David’s product is designed to be fitted to the three point linkage of a tractor. The clamp allows heavy logs and branches to be lifted, moved around and held securely whilst being cut into blocks with a chain saw.
This product greatly reduces the risks of physical strain from lifting and the likelihood of injury from the chain saw. In these respects the judges saw great commercial potential in David’s prototype.
Presenting the awards Director of Sentinus Mr. Brian Campbell and Mr. Mervyn Storey MLA congratulated all three students on their achievements and reinforced their personal interest in encouraging the young Innovators of the future and promotion of STEM subjects in schools.
Also highly commended for their design projects by the judges were:
- Colm Rooney (Hilltown) EWE-LIFT an elevating platform to enable sheep to be held at a convenient height whilst preparing / dressing fleece for show.
- Jack Mc Gowan (Newry) An adjustable computer game seat with pedals and steering controls.
- Mark Curran (Castlewellan) A solid oak recliner Contemporary Chair
With reference to all the College entries this year ,the Chairman of Engineering Judges remarked that it was “refreshing to see students addressing real life opportunities for design and producing fully functional working solutions”.
All six students were congratulated on their high standard of workmanship/ commitment and ability to confidently convey their ideas to the judges by their teacher Mr. Robert Barton,
Mr. Barton, Head of Design and Technology at the College, was also awarded the prestigious St. Mary’s University College Belfast ‘STEM Teacher of the Year Award’ 2012.
Group Photograph (left to right)
Niall Murphy (Mullaghbawn), Mr. Mervyn Storey MLA, David O’Connell (Mount Pleasant Dundalk), Mr. Robert Barton (Head of Design and Technology St. Colman’s College), Mark Mc Evoy (Dromore).