Sam Hafford (19) from Castleknock College in Dublin is the overall winner of the RDS McWilliams Young Science Writers’ Competition 2009.
Sam’s winning essay, “Beauty is in the Phi of the Beholder”, looked at how mathematicians with the help of nature deciphered the secret of beauty hundreds of years ago through the calculation of a number called phi.
Not to be confused with pi, phi is an irrational mathematical constant that has intrigued mathematicians for centuries. It has also had an influence in everything from architecture to physiology, and has captivated and inspired artists, philosophers and scientists from as early as the third century.
Sam’s winning essay, described by the judging panel as “exceptionally well-written”, earned him a digital camcorder for winning his age category. As the overall winner, Sam (pictured right) also received a laptop.
The RDS McWilliams Young Science Writers’ Competition is named in memory of the late Brendan McWilliams, the meteorologist and Irish Times science writer.
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Read this year’s winning entries in the science writing competition
