Launch of the 2017 Drogheda Young Innovator competition
Transition year students in the nine secondary schools in Drogheda, Dunleer and Laytown will have a chance to put their innovation skills to the test and win the 2017 Drogheda Young Innovator competition. Now in its 3rd year, the 2017 competition was launched on Thursday January 19th, in the new conference facilities at The Mill; Drogheda’s Enterprise Hub. Organised by a voluntary group of teachers and local business people, the competition challenges Drogheda’s 2nd level students to think about an innovating career in science and technology, social enterprise, or business. The competition is supported by local innovative companies such as State Street, Coca- Cola International Services, East Coast Bakehouse and Fitz Scientific. Applicants will attend an Innovation workshop on March 2nd at Coca- Cola’s Southgate office which will look at divergent and convergent methods of thinking in identifying and defining innovative ideas. The final will take place at East Coast Bakehouse’s Innovation Centre in Drogheda. There are 3 main categories – Science & Technology, Enterprise & Business, and Social Enterprise. There will be cash prizes for group and individuals in each category, and one overall winner. Applications for the Young Scientist and the Student Enterprise competition will be eligible to apply. Drogheda Grammar School scooped the top award in 2016 with its team of three - Simon Radike, Cian Mc Grady and Charlie Kinsella. They started Flashdiscs, a company developing and selling leaving certificate revision material on audio CDs. ‘Recognising and rewarding our young innovators is a big deal. We want to encourage and reward Drogheda’s best young innovators. We want Drogheda to be proud of its science, business and social innovators,’ said Breanndan Casey of The Mill at launch. ‘I fully expect some of these students to be establishing businesses in The Mill in the next decade, and building on our rich heritage of innovation. It’s great to have the support of both local and multinationals companies for this competition. Winners will be announced in May 2017. Further details are on www.droghedayounginnovators.com