07.09.2007
Three post-primary students from Co. Clare have won a competition to design an innovative but practical solution to lighten the load associated with carrying schoolbags. The average weight of a schoolbag in Ireland is currently estimated to 8.5kg. This is an unreasonable weight for a child to have to carry on a daily basis and it can contribute to future back problems.
Engineers Ireland challenged students across the country to put engineering principles to the test in order to find a solution to the schoolbag problem with a cash prize of €800 up for grabs. Caoimhe Gowran (14), Josh O’Loughlin (14) and Meadbh Heagney (14), Junior Cert. students from Gael Choláiste An Chláir in Ennis, designed the winning entry - a prototype schoolbag applying Archimedes’ concept of the Law of the Lever.
In designing their bag the team undertook to survey a number of 1st and 2nd year students to find out exactly what they carried in their bags on a daily basis. They discovered that some bags felt heaver than other bags even though the same books were held in each bag. This is where the Law of the Lever came into play and inspired the team to design a bag with strategically placed pockets and an extra bag strap in order distribute the weight evenly within the bag, making it easier for a student to carry and thereby lessening the potential for back damage.
Denis McGrath, Registrar of Engineers Ireland congratulated the team saying, “Heavy schoolbags pose a serious threat to young people’s health. It’s a problem we’ve had for years and it’s critical that it be addressed, which is why Engineers Ireland organised this competition. I congratulate the winning team on their excellent design for the competition.”
The winners were selected by a panel of adjudicators appointed by Engineers Ireland.
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Related contacts
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Engineers Ireland
22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
Tel: +353 1 6684341
Fax: +353 1 6685508 |
Engineers Ireland Info Email
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Source: Engineers Ireland Website- 29/08/07 |
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