Baltydaniel National School was awarded ‘Best Visual Display’, and Grange NS in Fermoy received a runner-up prize at the 2025 Intel Mini Scientist Competition. The schools were recognised for their respective projects, ‘Camera Obscura’ and ‘Hurleys and Materials’.
This year, over 6,800 students from 94 schools in 18 counties participated in the Mini Scientist competition. The Grand Final brought together the top 80 projects from around the country.  From generating electricity to studying what makes your heart tick, these young scientists “really blew our socks off!”, said the judges.
The event marked the culmination of a nationwide competition that began in September 2024 when 4th, 5th, and 6th class students from schools all over Ireland participated in the 18th annual Intel Mini Scientist competition, engaging in project-based learning and exhibitions to explore the world of science. Starting with projects within their own schools, Intel employees visited each participating school to assess projects for the grand final. One project from each school was invited to attend the grand final this year.
Intel Vice President Joe Bolger was thrilled to welcome these pre-teen prodigies to the grand final held in TU Dublin. “This is our largest Mini-Scientist competition ever and shows the interest in science among our young people.  The standard of this year’s projects is excellent and they are a credit to the pupils and the teachers who supported them in entering the competition.  Encouraging scientific endeavours at all levels in our schools will ensure a bright future for our young people.”