Moate CS crowned 'Best School' at Young Scientist
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Moate Community School was officially crowned the Best School in the Republic of Ireland at the 62nd Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) on Friday, January 9, in the RDS.
The prestigious title capped off an extraordinary run for Westmeath, which saw local students secure a staggering 15 awards, cementing the county’s reputation as a national powerhouse for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
While Moate Community School walked away with the "Best School" trophy, its students also filled the prize cabinet with category-specific honors.
Leah Winters, Shona Kinahan, and Ella Hamm were standout performers, winning The AbbVie Health & Wellbeing Award and 1st Place Intermediate Group for "Ferma-Aid," a sustainable emergency food aid project.
Other notable Moate winners included Nemhain Doolin, who took 1st Place Junior Individual for her chess rating evolution project.
Rachel Coghlan, who won the Kerry Sustainable Nutrition Award for her work on eco-friendly chewing gum.
Presenting the award, Catherine Keogh said: “Rachel truly exemplifies Kerry’s values and our vision for sustainable nutrition.
“This award recognises young scientists who are developing innovative, science-led solutions that are better for people, better for society, and better for the planet - reducing environmental impact, improving health outcomes, and ensuring responsible sourcing and production.”
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Ray McGrath, Chair of the Judging Panel from Stripe, presents the 2nd Junior Group Award to Conor Fox, Denis Murray and Tom O’Connell, from Moate Community School for the project “Freeze-Free Drinkers: Engineering Freeze-Resistant Livestock Drinking Systems.” Chris Bellew / Fennell PhotographyImage 2 of 3
Ray McGrath, Chair of the Judging Panel from Stripe, presents the 3rd Junior Group Award to Emily Galvin, Emma Kelly and Rachel Pillion, from Moate Community School for the project “Using Native Irish Plants to Reinvigorate Soils Following Prolonged Flooding at Lough Funshinagh’ Chris Bellew / Fennell PhotographyImage 3 of 3
Eileen O’Mara, Chief Revenue Officer at Stripe, presents the Best School Republic of Ireland to Mairead Cusack, on behalf of Moate Community School. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography'Freeze-Free Drinkers: Engineering Freeze-Resistant Livestock Drinking Systems' by students Denis Murray, Tom O’Connell, and Conor Fox took home 2nd place in the Junior Group (Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences) category, while students Rachel Pillion, Emma Kelly, and Emily Galvin received the 3rd prize in the Junior Group (Biological & Ecological) category for their project 'Using Native Irish Plants to Reinvigorate Soils Following Prolonged Flooded at Lough Funshinagh'.
A total of ten groups from Moate CS exhibited at this year's Young Scientist, the highest number ever from the Midlands school.
Science teacher Mairead Cusack said the school is so proud of not only the winners, but of all the groups who exhibited throughout the week.
"Winning Best School in the Republic of Ireland meant a lot to us as a school and as a science department, as it shows that the hard work put in by both students and teachers is really paying off. We’re absolutely delighted and very proud of the students," she said.
"It’s my eleventh year involved with the Young Scientist competition, and to see our students win awards across every category and age group was fantastic. Their communication skills improved hugely over the week, by the end, they could confidently explain complex projects in just a few minutes to judges, ambassadors and the public."
Ms Cusack added that aside from the STEM success, the students also made lasting connections and friendships.
"They really made the most of it and they all made good friends, and that's important. Some of the students who did Young Scientist last year came up and they met people who they knew from last year, which was good to see that they were making friends and they're keeping the connections."