Local students excel in ‘Ideas Made Real’ TY programme

Local students were among those who presented innovative tech projects at ‘Ideas Made Real’, a TY programme hosted by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), at a showcase event in the Mullingar Park Hotel last week.

The event is sponsored by Decotek Automotive and has additional support from partners Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT) and the Engineering Technology Teachers Association (ETTA).

More than 150 students from schools including Coláiste Mhuire, St Finian’s College, Loreto College, Summerhill College Sligo, Tallaght Community School, and Griffeen Community College, Lucan participated.

They presented projects developed using advanced manufacturing technologies that ranged from custom 3D-printed parts to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities to devices integrated into sports equipment for safety, highlighted their potential to address local community challenges.

The ‘Ideas Made Real’ programme, launched in September 2023, integrates STEM principles with practical projects like the 3D Printing Challenge to empower students creatively and practically.

Barry Kennedy, CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research, said: “Dreaming up a great idea is the easy part. The real challenge, and what we celebrated today, lies in bringing those ideas to life.

These young innovators have not only produced prototypes but also demonstrated the ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically in a team setting, signalling the future of manufacturing.”

Lauren McDermott-Smith, programme lead, added: “Our commitment is in empowering the makers of tomorrow; we are actively crafting the next wave of creators. This event was a platform for these talented students to showcase real-world solutions that tackle genuine community issues, demonstrating innovation with purpose.”

Winners

The event culminated in an awards ceremony that celebrated the innovative spirit and hard work of all participants:

First place: CSL Autos from Loreto College – Ciara Ballesty; Shenice Groome; Linda Raeside

Second: The Candy by Griffeen Community College – Jamie Roe; Alexander Bilei; Cian O Neil; James Farrell

Third: Hand Caddy by Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar – Pádraig Casey; Rory O’Brien; Cian Egan; Sean Hanlon

Creativity Award: The Pic Protectors by St Finian’s – Eimear Peters; Jenna Mangan; Lauren Kavanagh; Martyna Kowolik.

Innovation Award: Aurisafe by Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar – Seán Murphy; Shane Martin; James Baird; Jamie Wallace

Enthusiasm Award: The Waters by Tallaght Community School – Hadassah Ime Kadira; Holleigh Delaney; Sarah Jane Johnston; Elisha Whelan.

Judges for the event included John Enright, IMR, Samantha Bakir from Prodieco, Peter Davitt from FIT, James Brady from Abbott, Mallika Singh from KPMG, and Paul Bergin from Decotek Automotive.

About Ideas Made Real

‘Ideas Made Real’ is an initiative by Irish Manufacturing Research aimed at empowering the makers of tomorrow by introducing them to the tools and technologies that are shaping the future of manufacturing. With a focus on turning concepts into reality, the programme offers resources, opportunities, and platforms designed to support and nurture the brilliant minds of tomorrow.

Their motto, ‘empowering the makers of tomorrow’, captures the essence of the brand and the commitment to progress and innovation.

The programme connects students with industry, enhancing their understanding of advanced manufacturing and opening new pathways for future careers in STEM.

About IMR

The vision of Irish Manufacturing Research is to enable manufacturing of all sectors and sizes to be leaders in the world of advanced manufacturing so that they can compete and thrive in the global economy.

As a leading manufacturing research and technology organisation (RTO) with labs and industrial pilot lines in Dublin and Mullingar, IMR works with leading global and indigenous brands to de-risk and de-mystify new and emerging technologies and concepts, like the circular economy, to deliver high impact collaborative research and innovation demonstrators.

The ambition of IMR is to accelerate the implementation of key elements of Ireland’s industrial strategy and enable Irish based manufacturers to be early adopters and winners in the twin transition (fourth industrial revolution and net-zero carbon circular economy transition).

IMR enables industry to capitalise on these opportunities and tackle the threats head-on, through a broad-based service offering to ensure industry has access to the latest technologies and knowledge in a timely fashion.

IMR’s R&D programme offers collaboration across the four thematic pillars: Digitisation, Robotics and Automation, Design for Manufacturing and Sustainable Manufacturing, to deliver solutions that enable industry to increase productivity, improve efficiency, upskill, and build resilience, win new business, and launch new products and service offerings.