Tralee Sisters Claim Prestigious BT Young Scientist Award
In a remarkable achievement, three sisters from Tralee, Co Kerry—Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise Murphy—have emerged as the winners of this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE). Their award-winning project, “Aid Care Treat,” is a revolutionary medical assistance app aimed at enhancing emergency healthcare response.
Sisters’ Journey to Success
The Murphy sisters showcased impressive talent and teamwork, with 17-year-old Ciara in fifth year, 15-year-old Saoirse in third year, and 12-year-old Laoise in first year at Presentation Secondary School in Tralee. Their dedication to developing the app involved collaborative efforts with the Department of Health, the HSE, the National Ambulance Service, and local gardaí, ensuring that they maximized the app’s potential impact.
At the awards ceremony held in Dublin’s RDS, they received their accolade from Minister for Education Norma Foley and BT Ireland Managing Director Shay Walsh. Minister Foley praised their initiative, calling it an “extraordinary achievement” and highlighting their creativity, hard work, and the unwavering support of their family and teachers.
Individual Winner Tackles Climate Change
The award for best individual project was presented to 18-year-old Tomás Markey, a sixth-year student from St Brogan’s College in Bandon, Co Cork. Tomás developed PM-DAC, a Passive & Modular Direct Air Capture system designed to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Leonard Hobbs, Chair of Technology Individual Judges, commended Tomás for his innovative approach to carbon dioxide sequestration.
Celebrating Innovation
The BTYSTE showcased an impressive 546 projects from 223 schools, emphasizing the importance of innovation within science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Despite concerns over potential attendance due to adverse weather conditions, the exhibition opened on Wednesday, bringing together bright young minds from across Ireland.
In a historic first, this year’s overall winners will receive an exciting opportunity to travel to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, and will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Riga, Latvia, this September.
Additionally, a primary science showcase featured projects from 53 primary schools, promoting STEM education among younger students. The BTYSTE exhibition remains open to the public until tomorrow, with tickets available for purchase online.
