Dylan Moloney & Thomas Curtin, two 5th year students in Desmond College with their invention “Height Adjustable Crutch” won The Berlin Long Night of Science Award Trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip for the winning student(s) and their teacher to attend the Long Night of Science in Berlin in June 2018.
Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The student’s project is an innovative crutch that can be adjusted using a gas powered cylinder to enable the user get into and out of a seating position more easily, thus reducing the potential of further injury.
The two Desmond College, students from Newcastle West invented this product when Dylan injuring his leg in a soccer match. They enhanced their product by including additional features such as a cup holder, the device comes with a useful instruction manual translated into five other European languages.
The students also received an award from Boston Scientist for their invention, they had previously won both the Boston Scientific and Abbot awards at the regional Sciefest finals held in LIT last May, organised by LIT, Scifest and Marie Walsh.
At the finals held in Dublin, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton said:
“We live in a rapidly changing world and our education system must respond by equipping our young people with the skills and knowledge to thrive in such an environment.
That is why I have placed such an emphasis on the teaching and learning of STEM in my role as Minister, as part of my overall ambition to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe within a decade.
Indeed, I will shortly launch a comprehensive STEM plan which will outline how my Department proposes to ignite a passion for the STEM subjects in all students.
The STEM subjects are crucial for equipping our young people with creativity, adaptability, problem-solving and critical thinking– skills which are so important for their future.
SciFest is an excellent initiative that supports and enhances what we are trying to do at a government level and I am very impressed by the standard of projects displayed here today and the amount of work that students and of course, teachers and parents have put in to each and every one.”
Thomas Curtin and Dylan Moloney at the SciFest National Finals
Dyan Moloney Sheila Porter (CEO SciFest), Thomas Curtin, Richard Bruton (Minister for Education and Science) and George Porter (SciFest)
Thomas Curtin and Dylan Moloney with Dr Jennifer Cleary presenting the Night of Science Award
Thomas Curtin and Dylan Moloney receiving their Award from Richie O Sullivan