English
Gaeilge
ATU rooted in research support in the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has strengthened its role in supporting young scientists across the west and northwest through its growing collaboration with schools participating in the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
While ATU has long opened its doors to students seeking research guidance, the past year has seen a marked expansion in how the university works directly with schools. Teachers and students across the region have increasingly turned to ATU’s campuses for access to laboratories, technical equipment and academic expertise as they develop projects for the national science and technology competition.
The exhibition offers a bridge between post‑primary education and the world of higher‑level research. By creating structured opportunities for students to engage with its academics, technicians and research facilities, the university aims to help nurture the next generation of scientific thinkers.
This year’s competition saw ATU supporting dozens of projects from across the region, with students using lab equipment including 3D printers, testing rigs and coding labs, whilst also receiving support from ATU’s academics and researchers across ATU’s nine campuses.
Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, commented,
ATU’s support of the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition starts well before the four days of the competition. We provide meaningful research access to our university campuses throughout the whole academic year to students participating in the competition. We know that post-primary schools may sometimes lack the specific resources needed to elevate project ideas, and by opening our campus doors to the next generation of innovators we contribute to regional and national success.
Deepta Suresh and Jane Frances Muoneke, students from the Dominican College, Galway, were awarded the 1st prize in the Senior Group competition of the Health and Well-being Category in the national event for their project, ‘From Vessel Support to Insulin Production: A Prototype Stent for Diabetes Complications.’ They were supported by ATU academics from the Galway City campus and acknowledged this support in their project submission as being instrumental in supporting their research.
Arya Satheesh from the Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny, Donegal received support and access to ATU facilities in the Letterkenny campus while undertaking research on her project ‘Eco Purge: Biodegradable Plastic with Enzyme-Driven Microplastic Degradation.’ Arya received the 2nd prize in the Biological and Ecological Sciences category of the competition. Arya was most thankful for the support provided by ATU lecturer Mary Carr during her project development.
Aoife Fadian and Jessica O’Connor, students from the Ursuline College in Sligo received top marks at the event, being awarded ‘Best Group’ in the overall competition, for their project ‘Sheep Strength II: Using Sheep Wool to Reinforce Concrete’. Aoife and Jessica received support from ATU’s academic team in Sligo while undertaking their research work.
Anthony Carolan, the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Coordinator for the Ursuline College said, “Ursuline College would like to sincerely thank staff at ATU and the Precision Engineering and Manufacturing (PEM) centre for their invaluable assistance and support over the last number of years. Having the opportunity to work with high level academic professionals and industrial grade calibration facilities gave our projects the chance to compete with the best. We look forward to working closely with all our sponsors and supporters and greatly appreciate the ATU facilities which are so graciously offered to us every year.”
Fiona Kelly, Marketing Manager at ATU added, “Through this partnership with Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition we can support high ‑achieving young scientists at a formative stage of their development. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem ‑solvers, and we are thrilled at the impact the university is having in supporting and empowering young people to achieve their dreams. Students like Aoife, Jessica, Deepta, Jane Frances and Arya are examples of the incredible students our university has supported during their research journey in the exhibition. We encourage more schools to engage with us so that young people can be supported to maximise their potential and achieve their goals.”
Photo caption: ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn pictured with Sandford Park School students Benjamin Griffiths, Alfie Patrick Scott Stephenson and Sam Colleary, winners of ATU’s sponsored prize for ‘Best Use of Technology’ for their project, Artificial Intelligence: Help or Hindrance to those with Dyslexia?, alongside their teacher, Dana Kilroy.
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: +353 87 961 8355
