Ava Gaffney, a fourth-year student at Ballinamore Community School in Leitrim, devised the winning concept, which was first submitted for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2024.
Alec Hannan, a fifth-year student from Gonzaga College in Dublin, Caragh Killeen, a sixth-year student from St. Joseph’s Community College in Clare, and Séan Murphy, a fourth-year student from Colaiste Mhuire in Westmeath, were all members of the winning team.
‘Best Individual’ went to Harry O’Leary, a Gonzaga College, Dublin fifth-year student.
The goal of the 15-year-old bootcamp, established by BT Ireland, is to assist Young Scientist finalists in turning their project ideas into viable businesses.
26 students from 10 counties around the island of Ireland participated in the bootcamp, which was held from March 4–7 and was conducted in collaboration with Nova UCD.
Workshops on company development, marketing, and commercialization were part of the four-day intensive curriculum that the students attended.
“As the demand for STEM skills continue to grow each year, we know that the skills and advice that the students receive here will be instrumental in the development of Ireland’s future workforce, ensuring that Ireland continues to drive innovation as a market leader,” stated Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland.
UCD is excited to be hosting the bootcamp this week, according to Pat Guiry, a professor at the university and chair of the Young Scientist Charitable Trust.
“Nova UCD is a hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs, making it a very fitting location for the next generation of future entrepreneurs to develop their project ideas into commercial enterprises,” Professor Guiry stated.