*Koen Verbruggen, Director of Geological Survey Ireland, presents the Geological Survey Ireland Award to Béibhinn O’Loughlin from Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna. Photograph: Fennell Photography
TWO Clare students have received awards for their science projects revolving around geological and water analyses.
At The Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026 Awards last week, Mary Immaculate Secondary School student Béibhinn O’Loughlin won the Geological Survey Ireland Award for her project “An Initial Analysis of 320 Million-Year-Old Micro Coprolites from Doolin” and Oisín Jackson from the same school won the National Water Forum Award for his project “TURCAST: Forecasting Turlough Depths Through Machine Learning and Data Analysis.”
The Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is designed to raise schools’ engagement in STEM subjects. The exhibition invites students aged 12-19 years from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology projects.
A variety of students from all over Clare took part, including Shannon Comprehensive School students Chloe O’Loughlin, Biella Pulido and Caoimhe Ashton, St John Bosco Community College students Ruby O’ Donoghue, Rachel Hanrahan and Isabelle Garry, Ennistymon Community School students Mya ONeill, Sarah O’Brien and Hope Fleming, St Joseph’s Secondary School students Connor Fitzpatrick, Dylan Slattery and Bearach Rees, and Mary Immaculate Secondary School students Joseph Ward Minogue and Alex Ryan.
Founded by Dr Tony Scott and Rev Dr Tom Burke in 1965, the exhibition is a staple in the academic, scientific and technological calendar, and attracts on average over 40,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest events of its kind.
Stripe succeeded BT Ireland as the title sponsor of the exhibition in May 2025. The appointment came exactly two decades after Stripe cofounders Patrick and John Collison competed at the 2005 YSTE, where Patrick was crowned the overall winner, and John took home a category award.
Photos by Fennell Photography
