Laois student scoops award for pet-friendly invention
Timahoe NS student Tomás Ramsbottom with his award
A PET-FRIENDLY dog collar scooped a national award for an inventive Laois student, in the grand final of the 2025 Intel Mini Scientist competition.
Tomás Ramsbottom from Timahoe NS won the 'Most Innovative Idea' category prize for his project ‘Canine Care’, which developed a special collar that is a bonus for caring dog owners.
It is another great achievement for the sixth class pupil, who won the overall Intel competition last year with his cousin Emma Burke for a groundbreaking project on heart pacemakers.
Tomás has had a pacemaker since he was a baby and had already had four major operations by the age of 10. The duo’s project showed that pacemakers can be charged by using wireless technology and kinetic energy, potentially eliminating the need for a lifetime of surgeries.
Tomás has followed last year’s success with another award-winning invention, which came about when he began to train his new pup Penny. After he found that she responded best to a calm, caring approach, he decided to create an alternative to a ‘shock collar’ to aid training.
As his research developed, he thought it would be useful to add GPS tracking, owner identification and two-way voice commands to the collar, all very useful tools for dog owners.
Tomás sought out the expert advice of Donnacha Dunne to design an app and QR code to develop a prototype collar and app. At the competition final, he used his strong presenting skills to great effect during visits by several judges.
The inventive young student enjoyed the project and is convinced that he has a good product in the making. He said: “This year has been another great experience and I am delighted to collect another prize. Hopefully, with the help of the Canine Care Collar, you will have a happy dog and happy owner. Win win for everyone!”
More than 7,000 children took part in the Intel Mini Scientist contest and Tomas's project was one of 80 to exhibit at the final on Tuesday 6 May.
Delighted with the outcome, sixth class teacher Anna Moore said: “It is a testament to Tomás that he came back this year with a brilliant project, after winning the overall competition last year.
“We really look forward to seeing what the future holds for him. Today brings to an end a wonderful journey experienced by Tomás over the past two years.”
