PICTURES: Alzheimer’s device secures big STEM win

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MUNGRET Community College has claimed the Overall BD STEM Stars award for 2025 at the BD Research Centre Ireland (BD RCI) site, a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the University of Limerick campus. They develop innovative technologies to improve biomedical discovery.

The 2025 BD STEM Stars competition was dominated by Limerick schools, which won four of the six awards.

In addition to Mungret Community College claiming the top award, Wagma Jan and Lana Qaddoura, Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, won the Best Video Announcement for ‘Keepin’ it Quick’.

Best Demonstration was won by Patrick Hogan, Liam Power and Matthew Furlong from Coláiste Nano Nagle for ‘SmartSpecs’; while Best Product Award went to Nell McMahon from Desmond College, Newcastle West for her project, ‘A Technological Approach for Bell’s Palsy Patients’.

Mungret Community College received the official award plus a prize of €10,000 for STEM facilities in their school. Their project, ‘Independent Me’, is a home-healthcare device to support people in the early stages of Alzheimer's to remember key daily tasks.

One of the features of the device is the use of a family member’s voice as a recording for reminders as research suggests that a typical, non-personal alarm did not engage at the same level.

Minister of State for Older People at the Department of Health and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell said: “This competition is an exemplar of advocating for STEM in Ireland and BD RCI are helping to create STEM careers of the future.”

BD RCI Site Lead Sean Wall said that the growth of the BD STEM Stars competition reflects the growth of interest in STEM subjects.

The competition, which is supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, was launched six years ago by BD to promote and encourage participation in STEM subjects for second level students.