Author: Dee Noel, Communications & PR Manager

In March, students from schools and colleges across the counties of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Cork and Kerry descended on BD Research Centre Ireland to participate in one of the biggest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competitions in the Munster province. The event brought together a shortlist of 16 schools who presented problem-solving projects on the day.

Top prizes of €10,000, which will be used to fund STEM related activities, and our sought-after BD STEM Stars trophy were presented to the schools by Dr. John Carey, Senior Design and Assurance Engineering and RCI Site Director, Seán Wall.

Winning entries included an ‘at home’ instrument that tests for thyroid levels in blood to save people from travelling to hospitals for regular tests, and a second portable device that acts as circulation massager targeting people with blood circulation issues. There was also a ‘CPR Pedal Chest Compression’ kit designed to help extend chest compressions for longer periods, in response to local search and rescue challenges.

The youngest ever entry to make the finals was from a 13-year-old student from Kinsale Community College who designed a ‘wound protection cage’ to advance wound healing; a solution she developed after an injury her mother received three years ago. There was also a ‘Best Presentation’ Award for a radiology tool harnessing neural networks to deliver early diagnosis from CT scans and MRIs.

The BD STEM Stars Award, supported by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB), is an initiative that was launched five years ago by BD RCI to promote and encourage participation in STEM subjects in secondary schools, and it’s now the biggest awards programme in Munster.

Site Lead for BD RCI, Seán Wall said, “Six years ago, we set out with a vision to recognise and encourage awareness of STEM in secondary schools and to encourage innovators of the future. Seeing so many schools get involved and develop projects to advance the world of health makes this journey so very worthwhile, and it’s great to see each year, this competition go from strength to strength. A special thanks to all associates who support this competition and continue to raise the profile of STEM and work that we do here in Limerick.”

BD RCI is a state-of-the-art facility that develops innovative technologies to improve biomedical discovery, clinical diagnosis of disease, and the delivery of care for patients and health care workers. It currently employs 370 experts in software development, software testing, systems engineering, mechanical and electronic engineering, project management, quality and biosciences including immunology. The diverse, collaborative team brings together people from 43 countries working in multidisciplinary teams to solve problems and advance the world of health.

Media coverage can be found here:

Tipperary schools shine at BD Stem Stars competition | Irish Independent

Limerick school is top of the class at BD STEM Stars competition (limerickpost.ie)

BD 2024 STEM Stars ‘Top Demo Award' goes to Desmond College (ilovelimerick.ie)

https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/offaly-live/1468033/tipperary-schools-commended-at-bd-stem-stars-competition.html

https://www.ilovelimerick.ie/bd-2024-stem-stars-award/