At the SciFest National Final 2023 award-winning students from SciFest@College compete for a number of prestigious awards. The final represents a culmination of a year's work for the students. St Josephs' Secondary School was ably represented by Fifth Year Student Amy Roche and Third Year Student Kamaya Gogna at SciFests' National Final. What wonderful role models they are showing our students just what is possible.
This year marks the 18th year of the SciFest programme which saw students participating in local and regional SciFest STEM fairs across the country. Since launching in 2006, more than 100,000 students have participated in the competition, which represents an average year-on-year increase of almost 20% in participation. Amy & Kamaya were two of the almost 12,000 students who took part in the SciFest programme this year.
Amy's project 'An Investigation Which Aims to Modify Ship Propeller Design to Reduce Noise Pollution, Lessening the Impact on Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena)' Teacher Mr Delahunty , was a truely novel project combining Physics, Technology,and Zoology.
Cetaceans, a mammalian group of animals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, exhibit charismatic qualities, drawing attention for study. Echolocation, a vital method for animals like dolphins, aids in locating distant objects through emitted and reflected sound waves. In Ireland, common dolphins, prevalent in Dublin Port, face a rising threat of noise disturbance from the port's bustling economic activities, including fishing, shipping, dredging, and industry exploration. The main concern is the masking effect caused by anthropogenic noise, wherein ship-generated sounds interfere with cetaceans' communication, risking missed opportunities for foraging or communication. Research highlights the highest recorded noise levels during ship departures at 121 decibels, comparable to a military jet takeoff.
I investigated the impact of propeller design on underwater noise generation. Using sound files of echolocating common dolphins, a water tank and a variety of 3D printer propeller designs, I tested the masking effect of ambient propeller noise. SPARKvue and Audacity software was used to complete the analysis, with a standard 3D printed propeller as a control. Research has indicated that there is potential for altered ship propeller designs to mitigate noise disturbance. I have looked at methods to reduce the masking effect, which could benefit common dolphins and other echolocating cetaceans, through different propeller designs. The results indicate that innovative propeller designs can in fact reduce the masking effect on echolocating cetaceans helping, to mitigate against increasing anthropogenic noise disturbance in the marine environment.
The morning started with the members of the Judging panel visiting the Stand afterwards the exhibition hall opened to invited guests, parents and teachers.
Amy qualified for the National Final as a result of her Best Project Award at SciFest @TU Dublin Blanchardstown
Kamaya's project 'Using Machine Learning To identify Radiolucencies on Panoramic Dental Radiographs' is an impressive investigation which used classification algorithims to speed up diagnosis for dental practitioners and patients. Teacher Mr Delahunty.
Abstract
Radiolucencies are problematic for dentists to diagnose. The current method of diagnosis is a confusing and long flowchart. This flowchart alone can lead to inconclusive results. The Last resort is a painful biopsy: This inefficient method of diagnosis has led to a misdiagnosis rate of 49%.
I talked to dental science students in their fourth year at TCD, and they complained about this flowchart to me, about its length and complexity. I was studying machine learning on MIT open courseware and was in awe. So, after my discussions with the students, I recognised a gap in the diagnosis procedure and I realised that ML can help mitigate this gap.
My project involves making an algorithm that identifies radiolucencies. My model has been trained on 1,000 radiographs and can diagnose 21 types of radiolucency. After training my model and testing the classification algorithm with test sets, I found that the results were accurate.
The algorithm and the associated website were developed in response to the discussions with the TCD dentistry students. The COVID-19 pandemic put massive stress on the healthcare system and there is still a backlog to this day! The algorithm and website I created will help reduce stress on the healthcare system by quickly diagnosing patients. Ireland is facing a chronic lack of dentists as there are only 44 dentists per 100,000 people.
An algorithm could never replace a dentist, but it could definitely be a useful tool. I want to push the boundaries and integrate technology into dentistry.
Kamaya earned her place in the National Final as a result of her earlier sucess at sciFest@College DCU
After Lunch the Award Ceremony began hosted by Philip Smyth. The Opening Address was by Prof. David FitzPatrick Chair of the SciFest Board.
Amy and Kamaya both received an Excellence in STEM award , cheered on from the auditorium by proud Parents and Teachers
The girls can be justifably proud of their achievements.
Congratulations Amy receiving her Excellence in STEM Award presented by Shelia Porter Founder and CEO SciFest.
Kamaya receiving her Excellence in STEM Award from Shelia Porter. The excitement was not over. Philip Smyth led the drumroll that preceeded the announcement of The Intel Technology Award winner, Kamaya was invited back up to receive her tAward. A fantastic achievement ,so well deserved.
Kamaya Gogna who won the Intel Technology Award for her project on ‘Using Machine Learning to Identify Radiolucencies on Panoramic Dental Radiographs (OPGs)’. Kamaya receives a trophy and €500.
Both students were mentored by Mr Delahunty.
We would like to thanks the SciFest 2023 Team their Partners, Sponsors and Supporters for this wonderful opportunity for our students to develop their skills. The Scifest competition encourages them to solve problems , work with others, and communicate their findings. Thanks to the Regional Coordinators and the Judging Panel for their time and expertise. This was a day to remember.