Colaiste na Riochta, Listowel, are thrilled to announce that Luke Fealey, Darragh Keane, and Eric Sheehy have won the prestigious Scifest Physics Award! Competing against 108 impressive projects for just 15 awards, our team stood out with their innovative project entitled "Fall for Science: Tracking Gravity with Smart Tech." The Scifest judges were particularly impressed by their exceptional communication skills, presentation, and scientific methodology. This project utilized smartphone sensors through the Phyphox app to measure free-fall times, allowing for an accurate calculation of gravitational acceleration. Initially, a balloon and a stand were used, but in pursuit of enhanced precision, the team developed a custom 3D-printed release mechanism to ensure controlled drop conditions. By exploring the intersections of physics, engineering, and technology, the project not only fostered creativity but also sharpened problem-solving skills. The primary aim was to quantify gravitational acceleration by analyzing free-fall times, investigating the correlation between height and time, and contrasting our experimental results with theoretical expectations. This project is sure to captivate anyone with a passion for science and technology. We are incredibly proud of our team's achievement and extend our heartfelt appreciation to their teachers, Ms. O'Reilly & Mr. Shanahan for their guidance and support.
