Rome beckons for young innovators
TWO talented and highly innovative young students from a Kerry school have been invited on an all-expense paid trip to a prestigious technology and creativity convention in Rome after their school project impressed judges for the prestigious Maker Faire Rome 2016.
14-year-olds Jack Nagle and Eoghan McKenna, both of whom are heading into second year in Killorglin Community College, are the creators and designers of the ‘Dreamy Baby Prop’, an improvised infant’s cot that is designed to help prevent reflux in young children and babies.
With very few schools from Ireland getting invited into the competition in any given year, the boys and all the staff at the Killorglin School are one of the first from Kerry ever to be invited to the convention, which saw a selection of schools apply from all across Europe.
“They came up with a one-click device that will elevate the cot to the desired angle; they [the boys] looked into it medically as to what was the desired angle to keep the baby at,” said Donal O’Reilly; Deputy Principal at the community college speaking on Thursday.
“The device will lift the cot up, it’ll keep the baby safe and they also put an strap in system in the cot so that the baby won’t slip down during the night; this way they won’t end up upside or anything like that,” he continued.
“I only got the email late last night, so it’s still only sinking in now to be honest! The boys only found today and they’re absolutely delighted; they really have put in the hard work. This project started late last year and they submitted it to the BT Young Scientists and they appeared in SciFest in Tralee and their design captivated everyone at both events, but sadly they didn’t win any prizes at either of them so this is finally a great reward for their efforts,” he finished.