He's eyeing up the grand prize at this week's event.
A Westmeath student is eyeing up the grand prize at this week's BT Young Scientist Exhibition.
Patrick D'Arcy - a fifth year student at Castlepollard Community College - is one of dozens representing the midlands at the prestigious competition.
His invention - 'The Wide Awake' - was inspired by the phenomenon of children not waking up to smoke alarms.
The 16 year old explains how the device works:
Laois Gardaí Thanking Public After Finding Missing Woman
Missing Laois Teenager Found Safe And Well
Man In His 90s Dies In Laois Crash
Offaly Prize Bonds Holder Wins €500k
BNM Workshop Reunion Taking Place In Offaly Tomorrow
ICTU Reminds Employees Of The Right To Disconnect
Laois Town To Host Famine Commemoration Event
Plans For Billion Euro Data Centre In Westmeath Face New Appeal
Westmeath Councillor Advocates For More Remote Working Hubs
Midlands Homelessness On The Rise
Hundreds Without Power In Westmeath
Westmeath Domestic Abuse Support Service Reports Rise In Cases
Laois TD Highlights GP Gap
Call Made For 'Cost Of Disability Payment' in Budget 2027
Offaly Coffee Shop Listed Among Top 100 In Europe
Man To Stand Trial Over Midlands Tasering Accusation
Another Report Underlines Midlands House Price Inflation
Midlands Braced For Severe Thunderstorms
Sustainable Livestock Village Programme Launched For Tullamore Show
Offaly Woman Named National Carer Of The Year