Three students from Presentation College in Headford, Galway have received awards after impressing judges with innovative climate projects at the SciFest@College regional final competition in ATU Galway.
First year student Ryan Mortimer took home the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award, for his project entitled, “MVHR unit in a ‘cold attic space’- how efficient is it really?”.
Second year students Rory Maguire and Matthew Daly, also from Presentation College, received the runner-up EirGrid prize for their exploration of the sustainability of local GAA clubs, which compared the carbon footprints of GAA clubs in their area.
These two winning projects were selected from over 70 projects displayed at the fair in Galway City recently.
Hundreds of students from across Galway, Sligo and surrounding counties came together with their second-level student peers to compete in the STEM fair showcasing projects on a range of topics from technology and sport health to renewable energy.
SciFest@College is a programme of STEM fairs for second-level students, taking place in 16 regional colleges across Ireland.
The SciFest programme is open to second-level students, with the aim of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education and providing a platform for students to present and display their scientific insights.
EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, partnered with SciFest to develop the EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award which celebrates students who research and design projects to address challenges posed by climate or energy.
Congratulating the winner on his awards Claire Wallace, Interim Head of Strategy and Sustainability with EirGrid, said, “At EirGrid we are passionate about giving young people the opportunity to showcase their ambitious and solution-driven ideas to address climate change. Many congratulations to Ryan, Rory, and Matthew on their awards.
“Through our partnership with SciFest, EirGrid are proud to support the promotion of STEM subjects as the next generation is inspired to seek solutions to climate change and the energy transition.”
As a result of his first-place success, Ryan will now go on to compete in the SciFest National Final in November, for a chance to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
