Chalk Talk: Student Enterprise Challenge Hackathon

Thirty-five TY students took part in a Student Enterprise Challenge Hackathon from 17th–20th November. The event was organised by GEN Ireland and Gary O’Meara in partnership with Enterprise teacher Gareth McMahon, and the first three days were held in the Navan Enterprise Centre.

Throughout the Hackathon, students worked closely with engineers, entrepreneurs, chartered accountants, and communications professionals. The programme finished with an awards ceremony in a dragon-style showcase at the Kells Tech Hub, where students presented in front of judges Gary O’Meara, Valerie Moran, Keith Finglas, and Rosita Moyles.

St. Pat’s would like to thank all those who supported and guided our budding entrepreneurs during their journey. Contributors included Gary O’Meara (CEO of Meath Enterprise and Managing Director of the Boyne Valley Innovation District), Valerie Moran (Bective Stud), Keith Finglas (Engineering Lecturer at UCD and author of an Intel paper on innovation in software development), David Downes (Director of UMAC Systems), John Cunningham (Managing Director of Epicom), and Conor Woods (Chartered Accountant, Kells).

Six of the participating students have now qualified for the finals of the Young Scientist in January, and the Hackathon has proven to be fantastic preparation for the competition.