Meet the Abbey VS students whose research could help address global food waste

Abbey Vocational students Jane Faulkner and Robyn Given are no strangers to the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE). And now, in their final year in the exhibition, they have secured a coveted category prize for research that is very significant in a world where food shortages and environmental concerns are more pressing than ever.

Fresh from their success at the exhibition in the RDS, the pair returned to school on Monday morning to much congratulations from teachers and fellow students. 

They took time to chat to Siobhán McNamara about their project, and their BTYSTE experience 

“Last year we did a similar project testing household agents with preventing fungal mould on oranges,” says Jane. “We found the essential oils that we used, the clove and oregano worked really well so we wanted to then test more essential oils on all the different citrus fruits.”

Robyn outlines how this time round, they tested with six essential oils: clove, oregano, lavender, ginger, black pepper and tea tree. These in turn were tested on six varieties of citrus fruit - orange, mandarin, clementine, lemon, lime and grapefruit.

“We wanted to see if the essential oils had any antifungal activity so we moulded the fruit in our own time and brought them in and swabbed them on three different types of agar plates:  dextrose, malt and nutrient,” she explains. 

“The dextrose and malt worked very well when we tested them and we had a clear zone of inhibition where the clove prevented the mould from growing. On some of them we didn’t have any at all, so it was very consistent results that we got. 

“The clove and the oregano were the two best essential oils at preventing the mould from growing.”

So how can this research be used in a practical application?

Robyn says: “We can make a wash with the oil. We did it at 10% dilution of the oil in the water and you can just spray it over fruit to prevent the mould from growing.”

Jane adds: “It is a much more natural way than using chemicals, and it is easier to access essential oil.

“It could be used for transporting foods to different countries in different places rather than using the chemicals.”

Between them, these two students have been selected to take part in the BTYSTE, eight times, with Jane reaching the final consecutively for the last five years.

Their participation included the Covid-19 era, when the exhibition still went ahead, albeit online.

Being in the RDS among so many other students is a very different experience to the online one.

“It is really intimidating seeing all the projects and you are all crammed together, but it is lovely to talk to all the people who have similar interests and who are our age” says Jane, who reached the exhibition stage twice during Covid and three times in person. 

“You get an idea of how the future will be, with all these different ideas that people are coming up with.”

Robyn first reached the exhibition stage during Covid restrictions, and since then, has qualified twice for the in-person BTYSTE.

She says: “The way some people presented their projects was really interesting to see. You had people in suits, or dressed up in outfits. Some people had a lot of decoration on their stands. 

“And it was great to be able to go and see everyone’s projects and ideas. There were some similar to ours so we got to speak to people who had worked with mould on fruits as well. There were people who had created fruit bowls using UV lights to prevent mould.

“We got to discuss what we each found so it was very interesting.”

Robyn and Jane were thrilled to come out and top in their category among such a high quality field.

“We didn’t even know if our project would be selected for the exhibition because it was similar to what we did last year,” says Jane. 

“Once we were there, we had a feeling we had done well but when they called out third place and second place, we thought we weren’t going to get a prize and we might be highly commended.”

Robyn adds: “It all seemed to happen really quickly once they called our names. We were on stage and there was a camera following us, and then it was all over, and we’re thinking, ‘Did that really just happen?’”

It is a worthy pinnacle for these two innovative students whose interest began with a lunchtime science club in First Year. The club was brought on a trip to BTYSTE, and they all returned to the AVS with a new hunger and awareness of the possibilities of how young people could use science in such a meaningful way.

They would both strongly encourage younger students to get involved in BTYSTE.

“It is an amazing experience,” says Robyn. “I entered a few times and even in the years I didn’t get through, I really enjoyed it and I still went to see Jane and the others in the exhibition.

“Then when I got through it was incredible.”

The students wish to thank those who supported them - Ms Donna Furey, Ms Amanda Flood, Mr Jamie Brennan, Ms Caoimhe Paige, as well as Des in the lab in Letterkenny.

Both students are now turning their attention to the upcoming Leaving Cert, with mock exams starting in the next few weeks. 

Jane hopes to study Architecture or Computer Science at university, while Robyn hopes to study a combined English and Psychology degree. 

They have certainly left their mark in the Abbey VS, and their legacy will no doubt be an inspiration to future generations of students.