16-05-2025
Three Kerry students honoured with awards for innovative climate-focused projects
Arush Satyavolu from Christian Brothers Secondary School Tralee took home the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award for his project titled 'Highway Wind Turbines'.
Arush's winning project examined how turbines can harness the power of passing cars.
The student will now progress to the SciFest National Final in November, for a chance to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Moira Butler and Aisling Dillon of Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk claimed the runner-up EirGrid prize for their project on engineering sustainable artificial coral reefs.
The Tralee students' projects were recognised for their demonstrations of technical excellence and tangible positive impact to energy and environmental sustainability.
The winning submissions were chosen from over 100 projects on show at the college campus event.
Over 200 students from 16 schools across Kerry and neighbouring counties came together with their second-level student peers and teachers to compete in the STEM fair, where they exhibited projects covering a broad range of topics from health and chemistry to renewable energy and sports science.
SciFest@College is a programme of STEM fairs for second-level students, taking place in 16 regional colleges across Ireland. It has been a platform for second-level students to showcase their creativity, innovation and research skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Congratulating the winning entrants on their successful project, Catherine Daly, sustainability programme manager at EirGrid, said SciFest has been at the heart of inspiring innovation from secondary level students for 20 years.
'We are incredibly proud to continue to support this endeavour. As we work to ensure 80pc of Ireland's electricity comes from renewable sources, as per Government targets, we recognise the importance of fostering a future generation of problem solvers and critical thinkers, to transition to a clean, renewable energy grid,' Ms Daly said.
'EirGrid is playing a central role in achieving Ireland's climate ambitions and the level of engagement from students at MTU Kerry today showed the interest surrounding the environment and renewable energy. Congratulations to Arush, Moira and Aisling on their awards.'
