Top award for St Joseph’s College students
Accolade follows success in SciFest regional final
Two students from St Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh have claimed the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award following their success at the SciFest@College 2025 regional competition at TUS, Thurles.
Students from schools across Tipperary and neighbouring counties came together with their second-level student peers and teachers to compete in the STEM fair exhibiting projects covering a broad range of topics and disciplines from mental health and mathematics to renewable energy and technology. Fourth Year students, Jack McCormack and Connor McGrath impressed judges with their project focused on re-engineering vertical axis wind turbines for increased viability in urban use, which included the development of a foldable prototype vertical axis wind turbine.
Their winning submission was chosen from over 60 projects on show at the college campus event.
SciFest@College is a programme of STEM fairs for second-level students, taking place in 16 regional colleges across Ireland. For two decades SciFest has been a platform for second-level students to showcase their creativity, innovation and research skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
As a partner in SciFest, EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland electricity system, delivers the Cleaner Climate Award as recognition of the critical role young people play in shaping a sustainable future.
The prize is awarded to the student or team whose project demonstrates both technical excellence and a tangible positive impact to energy and environmental sustainability.
Congratulating the winning entrants on their successful project, Catherine Daly, Sustainability Programme Manager at EirGrid, said: “For 20 years SciFest has been at the heart of inspiring innovation from secondary level students, and we are incredibly proud to continue to support this endeavour. As we work to ensure 80 percent 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.
“EirGrid is playing a central role in achieving Ireland’s climate ambitions and the level of engagement from students at TUS Thurles today showed the interest surrounding the environment and renewable energy. Congratulations to Jack and Connor on their award.”
Jack and Connor 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.