Mayo students flying high as Technovation global finalists
TWO talented young students from Hollymount have been named among the five teams worldwide selected as finalists in the Technovation Junior Division Global Finals.
Chosen from more than 3,600 app submissions created by girls from over 100 countries, they will represent Europe at the global finals, taking their place among the world's leading young technology innovators.
Edel Walsh (13) and Orlaith Colleran (13), who both attend Mount St. Michael Secondary School in Claremorris, will travel to India this October to compete at the Technovation Global Finals, one of the world's largest technology entrepreneurship competitions for girls, for scholarship monies.
The students developed their project during Teen-Turn’s Afterschool Technovation sessions under the guidance of lead mentor and teacher Stephanie Hogan and Teen-Turn regional manager Iseult Mangan.
Their award-winning project, DiAssist, is a mobile app they designed and programmed using React Native to help teenagers aged 13-19 manage diabetes through a holistic approach that supports both physical health and mental wellbeing.
The idea was inspired by the team's research into the challenges faced by young people living with diabetes. They found that many existing diabetes management apps are aimed primarily at adults, rely heavily on complex medical terminology, and offer little support for the mental health challenges that often accompany the condition. Their research also highlighted that more than 90% of adolescents living with Type 2 diabetes experience mental health difficulties, yet very few digital tools address these needs.
Determined to change this, Edel and Orlaith created DiAssist - an app specifically built with teenagers in mind. Implementing a simple, user-friendly interface with the power of AI functionality, the app enables young people to better understand and manage their condition.
One of the app's standout features is Food Analysis, which allows users to take a photo of their meal. Incorporating AI image analysis, the app provides nutritional information to help users make informed decisions about how different foods may affect their blood glucose levels.
Another key feature combines users’ records of how they are feeling each day and with blood glucose trends, helping users identify possible links between their emotional wellbeing and diabetes management.
Speaking about reaching the global finals, Edel and Orlaith said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be named Technovation global finalists. When we first entered the competition, we never imagined we'd have the opportunity to represent Ireland and Europe on the global stage. It's an incredible honour, and we're so excited to travel to India in October to pitch DiAssist alongside some of the most inspiring young innovators from around the world.
“This journey has taught us so much about technology, teamwork and problem-solving. Most importantly, it's shown us that young people really can create solutions that have the potential to improve lives. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey, especially our mentors, Teen-Turn and our families.”
Lead mentor Stephanie Hogan praised their achievement: "Edel and Orlaith have shown exceptional creativity, dedication and determination throughout this journey. They identified a genuine problem affecting young people and developed an innovative solution with empathy and purpose.
“Reaching the Technovation global finals is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the countless hours they have invested in researching, designing and refining DiAssist. We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished and look forward to cheering them on as they represent Ireland and Europe in India."
As they prepare to compete in India this October, Edel and Orlaith hope their journey will encourage more girls from their school to believe in their ideas and use technology to solve real-world problems, proving that innovations developed in rural Ireland can make a difference on the global stage.