Have you ever considered how difficult it is to put your wheely bin out for collection if you are in a wheelchair? Jack Gates and Mark Craven from St. Oliver’s Community College Drogheda did because one of their uncles lives alone and uses a wheelchair.
Between them they came up with a simple solution that they called “Wheeley Clip” which, as the name implies, clips the bin to a wheelchair to tow it out to the pavement.
Now the uncle can clip his bin to his wheelchair and transport it to and from the main road, making it possible for him to move heavier loads more comfortably and efficiently, making the previously impossible now possible.
The lad’s invention has won them a top prize at the LMETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project Awards taking away the Best Customisation and Design Improvement Award for their Wheeley Clip idea.
LMETB’s unique, yearlong FET Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project is now in its 4th year, and the only one of its type operating in schools due to its unique partnership between FET, industry and schools.
Its purpose is to give Transition Year students an insight into STEM as a career opportunity while also learning the critical soft skills of teamwork, innovative thinking, problem-solving, effective communication and presentation abilities.
The 15 participating schools in 2024/2025 academic year from Co Louth and Co Meath included: Bush Post Primary, O’Fiaich College, Coláiste Chú Chulainn, Scoil Uí Mhuirí and St. Oliver’s Community College in Co. Louth and ten in Co. Meath – Beaufort College Navan, Dunshaughlin Community College, Coláiste na Mí, Coláiste de Lacy, Enfield Community College, O’Carolan College, Coláiste Clavin, St. Oliver’s Post Primary, Coláiste Ríoga and Coláiste na hInse.
The judges at the Awards Ceremony in Drogheda Institute of Further Education were treated to a welcome display of creativity, dedication, passion and teamwork by the finalists at the presentation of projects.
Sadie Ward McDermott, Director of FET at LMETB said, “This event is the culmination of a year’s work by groups in school, a celebration of creativity, of innovation and of the talent of the young people in 15 schools under the auspices of LMETB. The ongoing success of the Advanced Manufacturing FET Pathways Schools Project is testament to the true partnership between FET, schools and Industry, whose engagement and active participation is central to the success of this initiative.”
The overall winner at the Awards Ceremony was ‘the Sliders’ group from Enfield Community College who took home the winner’s trophy with its ‘Sit2Stand’ project, which aids people with mobility issues to stand efficiently using furniture already in their home, avoiding excess costs.
Second place went to ‘the Coaster Crew’ from Dunshaughlin Community College for its ‘Anti Spill Coaster’, a new and improved design to help people with Parkinson’s.
‘The TG Tidy Group’ from St. Oliver Post-Primary in Oldcastle won third prize for its ‘TG Tidy’ a product designed to organise the many drawing tools needed for students studying Design and Communication Graphics.
Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools at LMETB, said “”This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when schools, industry and further education work together. It not only equips students with hands-on STEM experience but also empowers them with the critical skills they’ll need for the future — creativity, communication, collaboration and resilience. The standard of work this year has been exceptional and reflects the incredible potential of our students across Louth and Meath.”
LMETB AMTCE FET Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project has been a significantly impactful initiative, bringing together Industry partners, School management and teaching staff, working in collaboration with subject matter experts from the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence in Dundalk.
