Limerick students shine with BT Young Scientist project on women’s health and fitness

A FEMALE-focused science project led by a trio of all-girl school students in Limerick has qualified for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2025, which kicked off on Wednesday, January 8.

Anna Djro, 15, Zoe Norris-Cable, 16 and Hannah Markham, 15, are transition students in Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ.

Their project, entitled The Relationship Between Menstrual Health And Injury Rates In Female Athletes, has qualified for BTYSTE 2025.

The trio said they are excited to take part in the competition, which will see them compete against ten other schools in Limerick: “We’re overall very excited and I think we’re quite confident,” said Hannah.

“Our topic is unique and we really think that this could potentially help female athletes.”

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Her teammate Zoe said: “We aim to explore if certain phases of the menstrual cycle in female athletes increase their risk of injury.”

While Anna added: “We want to raise awareness, and a central goal of our project is to educate athletes, coaches and sports organisations about the importance of menstrual health in sports, helping to reduce stigma and improve understanding.”

Their science teacher, Karen Kinnerk, said: “From a teacher's perspective and a school perspective, we are very proud of the girls and delighted that they have gotten through.

“Their project is highlighting an area for women in sport that there isn’t a lot of information on, so as an all girl’s school, we are very passionate about the project.”

Talking logistics, Ms Kinnerk said: “The girls will be presenting their findings on a poster and gathering data from around 100 females who play sport, through surveys and questionnaires.”

The girls said collectively that they hope to create strategies for female athletes to better manage their menstrual health, which could help reduce injury rates and improve performance.