Donegal students have excelled at the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), with seven projects taking home nine awards. Click on the arrows to see a selection of photos provided by Fennell Photography (Photos 1 ot 10) and Coláiste Ailigh (Photos 11 to 14)
READ NEXT: Donegal County Council asked to intervene in Education Support Centre move
The exhibition which ran in the RDS in Dublin from Thursday, January 9 to Sunday, January 11, was a showcase of the innovation and creative thinking of students from across Ireland.
Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, said: “I would like to congratulate all the participants and finalists of this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, who have not only showcased some truly innovative project ideas, but have also done themselves, their teachers and schools, and families proud.
“In addition to demonstrating boundless energy and ingenuity across topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, mental health, sustainability, agriculture and many more, what has been most uplifting is seeing how STEM subjects can be used for the betterment of society and the world around us.”
Donegal Prizewinners
As well as the overall and category prizes, a number of leading organisations sponsor special awards for outstanding projects in a related field.
Two of these coveted special awards were won by Donegal students.
The CSO award went to Rónán Ó Dochartaigh of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair for his project An oibríonn dlí Benford le tacar Sonraí in Éirinn? In the Junior Individual Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences category
The SSE Airtricity Award was awarded to Klara Piechocka of St Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties. Her project in the Senior Individual Biological and Ecological category was Harnessing Donegal’s Coastal Wealth: The sustainable & renewable harvesting of Donegal seaweed using the advanced solar drying method for biodiesel production.
There were five projects from Donegal schools that were highly commended by the BTYSTE judges. Klara Piechecko’s special award-winning project was one of these.
Coláiste Ailigh students Faith-Leigh Bomah, Fianna Ní Ghaotháin, SíofraNí Chnaimhsí were highly commended for their Junior Group project in the Biological and Ecological category, Na hÉifeachtaí minicíochta fuaime ar fhás plandaí.
Fellow Coláiste Ailigh students Lorcan Farrell, Siún Ní Dhomhnaill , Ella Homer were highly commended in the Intermediate Group Biological and Ecological category for their project Algae bloom vs cobalt plume, éifeacht tiúchan cóbalt ar ráta fáis Mighty Spirulina.
St Columba’s College students Willow Doherty Falls, Hannah-Rose Sweeney, KatieToner were highly commended in the Intermediate Group Health and Wellbeing category for An analysis of makeup/skincare products that claim to contain SPF/UV protection.
Loreto Secondary School student Aislinn Devlin was highly commended in the Senior Individual Social and Behavioural Sciences Senior Individual category for her project Fluoride, Friend or Foe?
There were two students who received display awards. The first was CSO special category winner Rónán Ó Dochartaigh.
Abbey Vocational School student Isla Buchanan also won a display award for her Intermediate Individual Health and Wellbeing project Menopause? How much do you know?
Overall Winner
The overall BT Young Scientists and Technologists award went to Kerry sisters Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy from Presentation Secondary School Tralee for their project ACT (Aid Care Treat): App-timising emergency response. A technological aid, featuring a comprehensive repository of medical information – iterative development.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: “Way back in 1963, the founders Dr Tony Scott and Fr Tom Burke presented a vision and today in 2025, we congratulate the winners of the 61st Young Scientist competition – an outstanding legacy.
“I would also like to thank BT for their continued dedication to supporting and empowering students through this exhibition.
“The most outstanding aspect is the absolute engagement of students and their enthusiasm. It has been a privilege to meet them here in the RDS and to see the innovation, creativity and attention to detail in their projects.”
This post was originally published on here
