Greystones Kids Shine Periodically At BT Young Scientist

The proud Ward family…

atest press release from Greystones Community College, issued on Saturday, January 11th 2025…

A project which developed an innovative app for the self management of stuttering has won a student from Greystones Community College a top prize in the individual category at this years BT young scientist and technology exhibition at the awards ceremony held in the RDS.

Oisin Ward, a 13-year-old student at Greystones Community College has won the prize in the junior technology section for Neurolingo, an innovative app for the self management of stuttering. Oisin designed and developed the new mobile app that delivers a novel intervention for stuttering in a variety of situations.

The open source app allows the user to collect data with regards to their stuttering triggers. From his own experience, Oisin customised the app to collect data on sleep quality own stuttering severity. From his research, he discovered that a hidden metronome worked for him in reducing his stutter and provided him with new strategies to improve his speech and confidence. Oisin now hopes that the Nuerolingo app can do the same for others by using the app along with bone-conduction headphones.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD presented some of the awards at the RDS and commented “This exhibition is very much a celebration of the talents of young people across our schools – not just the 500 exhibitors here but also the over 2,000 projects that entered this year. In celebrating this energy and excitement in the sciences, I want to thank their teachers too who have perhaps given the students the spark that has lit the fire of exploration and investigation in their minds. It has been a privilege to meet students here in the RDS and to see the innovation, creativity and attention to detail in their projects,” she commented.

It is the 4th year in a row that Greystones Community College have had finalists in the prestigious competition and this year the 4 projects feature across three different sections of the competition Chemical, Physical, Mathematical Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences and Technology showcasing the breath and depth of student knowledge and ability.

Greystones Community College BT Young Scientist Finalists 2025:
1. Oisin Ward – NueroLingo – ‘A mobile app for the self management of stuttering’.
2. Harrison Lynch Reynolds, Elliott Wright and Daniel Murray – ‘An investigation into how different materials absorb impact’.
3. Adam Kopec and Richie Johnson – ‘An investigation into the impact of Nitrogen Dioxide and common Volatile Organic compounds on ozone production; A comparative analysis under artificial and natural UV llight’.
4. Teodora Bot, Nina Dorbanska and Emer Rowe – ‘Déjà vu: Does it happen to you’

Commenting on the success of Greystones Community College students, Principal Ruairi Farrell said “It is a fantastic achievement for any student to make the National Final of the BT Young Scientist Competition and Greystones Community College are very proud to have 9 students representing the school on the National Stage showcasing four exceptional projects across all age categories Junior, Intermediate and Senior.

“When only 550 projects from 225 schools make the finals out of thousands of entries nationally, there is great pride for a school when a student is announced as a finalist. For a 13 year old from Greystones to pick up such a big award is phenomenal and testament to his hard work and the dedication and support from his teacher Rebecca Wray.”

Having mentored and worked with the large number of finalists over the past number of months, science teacher Rebecca Wray was delighted to attend the finals with a strong contingent of Greystones Community College students.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work with such talented and dedicated students. Their hard work, creativity, and passion for Science have truly been inspiring, a testament to what collaboration can achieve.

“Attending the finals with such a strong representation from Greystones Community College fills our school community with immense pride” concluded Ms. Wray.