Kilkenny students win national schools IT competition

A group of students from Kilkenny are leading the next generation of Irish tech talent!

Students Jamie, Sophie, Cian and Robyn from Coláiste Abhiann Rí, in Callan, have won the national  AWS GetIT competition.

The group created an app called 'Renew Bottles' that will connect to a reusable water bottle, enabling the user of the app to track hydration and how many plastic water bottles they’ve saved.

AWS GetIT is a fully funded education programme and competition designed to inspire 12-14-year-old students, especially girls, to consider a future in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). The programme gives them access to curriculum designed to help build foundational skills, learn about cloud tech, and design app ideas to solve real-life problems. Schools are paired with a dedicated AWS GetIT Ambassador who supports the school and educator and acts as a role model for students.

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After completing the programme curriculum, schools can submit a student app idea for consideration in a countrywide AWS GetIT competition. 

This year, three schools were brought to the AWS GetIT final which took place at the AWS offices in Dublin. The teams in the final presented their ideas to a judging panel of people working in the tech industry.

The finalists were invited to present their App ideas on the day and answer questions surrounding their design thinking cycle, teamwork, the issue they are tackling and the technology they will use.

Lorna Cody, Teacher at Colaiste Abhainn Rí said: “The AWS GetIT programme has been an extremely rewarding initiative in our school this year. It encourages students to consider a career in technology when they leave school. All 124 of our 1st-year students participated in the programme. They worked in groups of 3-5 students and brainstormed to develop an app to help resolve an issue in their community. The students developed their teamwork skills, and it was also an excellent way for the 1st year students to foster new friendships.  

“The students enjoyed the hands–on approach that this initiative offers, they developed their computer skills, and their confidence grew from presenting their app to their peers, teachers, and AWS judges. 

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“Our AWS Ambassador has been a huge support throughout the year, she offered our school workshops and the students grew in confidence from all the positive feedback she offered.  While all our first years enjoyed the programme, for our four 1st year students that reached the final in AWS Dublin, it will be an experience they will never forget.”  

Mike Beary, AWS Country Manager Ireland said:  “I am delighted to see excellent entries from students and their teachers across Ireland in the AWS GetIT competition once again this year. AWS GetIT is a worthy initiative that allows students to get face-time with Ambassadors, who are successful women and non-binary people working in AWS. Over the last number of years, students in Ireland have been empowered to develop new skills through this competition. I hope that these skills inspire new interests and encourage young people of Ireland, particularly girls, to consider STEM for their future careers”.

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Carmel Owens, CEO of Sidero and Get IT Judge said:  “The AWS GetIT competition is a wonderful opportunity for schools and young people to bring tech to the classroom.  Great credit is due to the teachers and students and their AWS ambassadors for the very high standard of the competition today and I am delighted with the opportunity to meet such a talented group of young people – the future is bright for the tech industry in Ireland!”