Loreto College students win design prize using 3D printing
Competition was part of a Europe-led initiative to help create healthy communities
Three Transition Year students at Loreto College Mullingar have won a national design competition which used 3D printing to respond to health challenges in their community.
The students claimed top prize in the ‘Best Design, (Senior) category’ during the ‘Discover Manufacturing’ All-Ireland Showcase on December 9. The award is the third consecutive year that Loreto College Mullingar has claimed first prize in national finals for 3D design and print.
The competition is part of a larger ‘Discover Manufacturing’ European project, funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Manufacturing. The project aims to help second-level teachers and pupils aged 14-16 to gain an understanding of advanced manufacturing and the exciting career opportunities it offers.
The competition was initiated by I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, and Stryker, a medical technology company which employs approximately 4,000 people in eight facilities on the island of Ireland. The project challenged students to design and create projects to improve health in their own community, using 3D printing as a creative tool.
The three students, Lily Hunwick , Dearbhla Liddy and Kate Lynch, designed a finger thimble to help people interact with certain devices, naming the project ‘Tec Tap’.
Robert Masterson is the winning team’s teacher at Loreto College Mullingar, and it’s his third consecutive year of leading his students to victory.
He said: “We are thrilled for the girls on their fantastic project, Tec Tap. The girls put a mountain of work into the idea; from research to prototyping with recyclable materials to reach their final project.
“As a school community, we are proud of the girls’ achievement. They are leading the way for young women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and we hope to see their journey continue in manufacturing.
“We would like to thank I-Form for their support throughout the project and the main sponsors, Stryker and EIT Manufacturing for the opportunity.”
This project has reached 48 secondary school teachers and 1,000 second level students. It also provides 3D printing and design thinking training for teachers. As part of the award, Loreto will receive a €2,000 technology support package for continued engagement with 3D printing in the classroom.
Dr Triona Kennedy, Senior Research manager, Stryker, said: “At Stryker, our mission is to make healthcare better and that is only possible through people. Partnered with I-Form at University College Dublin, we are connecting through teachers with young people who will help make healthcare better in the future. Our team of engineers, scientists and designers at Stryker have been so impressed with each entry to the health challenges from both primary and secondary schools. The future for healthcare is in great hands.”
Prof Denis Dowling, director, I-Form, added: “We were delighted to see so many young people involved in these innovative EIT manufacturing programmes, engaging pupils across Ireland, and in Europe. An imaginative, creative approach to problem-solving is a key skill, which is highly sought after by industry and will be a critical factor in enhancing Europe’s manufacturing competitiveness in the decades ahead.
“As the manufacturing sector evolves, we hope to inspire young people to prepare now for the jobs of the future, and also to provide key support to teachers, who are crucial influencers of students.”
Along with Loreto College Mullingar, Dublin-based Cabra Community College, Campbell College in Belfast, and Sperrin Integrated College, based in Derry were also named as winners in the competition.