TUS Athlone EirGrid winners, Nathan Downes, Daniel Lynam and Éanna Maxwell, Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath pictured with John Harding, TUS Athlone and Seamus Hyland, Intel Ireland who presented the awards.

Moate students scoop EirGrid Climate award at SciFest regional finals

Three Westmeath students took home the prestigious EirGrid 'Climate and Delivering a Cleaner Energy Future' award following their impressive scientific insights presented at the SciFest@College STEM fair in Athlone.

Moate Community School students, Nathan Downes, Daniel Lynam and Éanna Maxwell impressed judges at the regional SciFest STEM Fair held at TUS Athlone, thanks to their project – ‘Can Native Waterweeds Solve Irish Farmer’s Feed and Environmental Problems?’

SciFest@College is a programme of STEM fairs for second-level students, taking place in 16 regional colleges across Ireland. It allows pupils to showcase their academic prowess by presenting scientific projects, while also introducing them to third-level institutions and the many opportunities STEM subjects can unlock.

EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, partnered with SciFest to develop the EirGrid Climate and Delivering a Cleaner Energy Future award which celebrates second level students who research and design projects to address challenges posed by climate, energy, or environmental matters.

Speaking about EirGrid’s involvement in the nationwide programme, Doireann Barry, Head of Strategy and Sustainability with EirGrid said: “At EirGrid, leading on sustainability and decarbonisation is central to our strategy and to see these students explore and develop their own ideas for a more sustainable future is so inspiring. I would like to congratulate Nathan, Daniel and Éanna on their impressive project.”

As a result of scooping the prestigious award, Nathan, Daniel and Éanna will go on to compete in the SciFest National Final which takes place later this year.