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Mercy Mounthawk students Conor Bradshaw, Dara Newsome and David Hughes with the two awards they won at Scifest 2020 last weekend. Photo by Dermot Crean
THREE Mercy Mounthawk students were celebrating this week after winning two prestigious awards at Scifest 2020, which was held over the past weekend.
Dara Newsome, David Hughes and Conor Bradshaw’s ‘Specs’ project — an adapted spectacle system for Dementia patients — won both the Intel Technology Award and the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award.
They were also competing for the Scifest STEM Outreach Award 2020, which was decided by public vote, but were pipped for that by a Cork entry.
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“It’s a smart glasses system for people with Alzheimers and Dementia who have trouble recognising family and friends,” explained Dara Newsome. “It uses facial recognition software to help them recognise people on a display piece in front of their eyes to hopefully reduce any fears they may have.”
With restrictions in place for much of this year, the students had to work on the project remotely, with many meetings between the boys being held online. They also reached out medical experts to gain a greater understanding of Dementia to help enhance the project.
Their teacher, Eimear Nolan was very proud of their achievements. “They’ve put so much work into this, even during Lockdown, so I’m delighted for them.”
The students now plan to enter the project into the BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition this coming January.
