Tipperary student wins TUS Thurles SciFest with unique project

Access issues for wheelchair users were investigated by the winner of the TUS Thurles Scifest 2025 competition.

Luke Blackwell from Thurles CBS won the regional heat of the contest with his project titled A Statistical Analysis of Wheelchair Accessibility in Ireland and an Investigation into the Impact on Wheelchair Users’.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Application for McDonald's in major Tipperary town approved

Luke said: “Accessibility is a major problem for wheelchair users in Ireland who encounter many obstacles trying to access services everywhere.

“Many problems are related to town planning, including lack of ramps/wheelchair parking, narrow paths, steps and uneven surfaces.

“Many towns have old buildings that historically weren’t accessible and remain the same today.

“My objective was to find the most accessible town - and the reasons for this.

“I produced a detailed assessment of the accessibility issues of 13 towns to influence future town planning and to raise public awareness. In addition to this, I am now working on establishing relationships between the data and creating mathematical descriptions.”

Martin McCormack, organiser of TUS Thurles Scifest, paid tribute to Luke and his teacher, Danielle Slattery, for her guidance, and said: “The standard of the projects was excellent and it was wonderful to see the work of young students and their science teachers being shown to such good effect.”

READ MORE: LIVE: Gardaí seek two drivers who may have passed lawnmower before fatal Tipperary crash

Winners from each regional STEM fair go on to compete at a national final in November.

Winners from the national final compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in America and attend the Long Night of Science in Berlin.

SciFest is funded primarily by the Department of Education, Research Ireland, Intel Ireland, Boston Scientific, EirGrid and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO, said: “SciFest is more than just a STEM fair: it is a launchpad for young innovators, equipping second-level students with the confidence, skills, and curiosity to tackle real-world challenges. By engaging in hands-on research, collaborating with mentors, and connecting with like-minded peers, participants gain invaluable experience that extends far beyond the competition.

“With over 15,000 students taking part each year and participation continuing to grow, SciFest is shaping the future of STEM education and innovation. This incredible momentum is driven by the unwavering dedication of teachers, mentors, parents, third-level coordinators, and our valued partners and sponsors.

“Their commitment ensures that every student, regardless of background, gender, ability or circumstance has the opportunity to explore, discover, and innovate. We are deeply grateful for their support in inspiring the next generation of changemakers."