LMETB’s yearlong FET Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project is celebrating five years in 2026 and is the only one of its type operating in schools due to its unique partnership between FET and industry.
The project is a collaboration between the FET and Schools Directorates in LMETB. Its purpose is to give Transition Year (TY) students a practical insight into STEM as a career opportunity while also learning the critical transversal skills of teamwork, innovative thinking, problem-solving, effective communication and presentation abilities.
On Thursday 14th May 2026, 17 finalist teams in the TY 2025/26 academic year from participating schools in counties Louth and Meath showcased their projects. They were Colaiste Clavin, Beaufort College, Enfield Community College, Dunshaughlin Community College, St. Oliver Post-Primary, O’Carolan College, Coláiste na hInse and Coláiste Ríoga from Co.Meath and Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Bush Post-Primary School, St. Oliver’s Community College and Ó Fiaich College from Co.Louth.
Held in the Drogheda Institute of Further Education, the judges were treated to a welcome display of creativity, dedication, passion and teamwork by the finalist teams, chosen from multiple projects undertaken by the schools throughout the year.
The judges, all subject matter experts in industry, education and training, assessed the presentations based on the project brief, which entailed the formulation of teams, assignment of group tasks, development of design and 3D print solutions that tackle real-life challenges.
Back Row L-R: Oisin McDermott, (AMTCE, LMETB) Joe McGrath (Judge), Aoife Flynn, Meta (Judge), Martin Cassidy (Project Advisory Group), Ciaran Duffy, PCI Pharma Services (Judge).
Front Row L-R: Anthony Harris, PCI Pharma Services (Judge), Dr.Fiona Lalor, UCD (Judge), Con Ferry, SOLAS (Judge)
The programme themes, which guided project design, covered mental health and disabilities, environment and sustainability, technology, health and sport. During the academic year, the students attended interactive workshops in the LMETB’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk covering design thinking and 3D concept design and printing, virtual reality welding, and robotics.
Sadie Ward McDermott, Director of FET at LMETB said, ““This project continues to demonstrate what can happen when education, industry and innovation come together with a shared purpose. Over the course of the year, these students developed not only technical skills in areas such as design thinking, 3D printing and advanced manufacturing technologies, but also the confidence, creativity and teamwork skills that will support them throughout their future careers.
The quality of ideas and presentations showcased today was exceptional and reflects the commitment of the students, teachers and industry partners involved. We are incredibly proud to celebrate five years of a programme that is unique in Ireland and that continues to inspire young people to explore opportunities in STEM and Further Education and Training,” she continued.
The overall winner was the Brush Craft team [SW1] from Ó Fiaich College in Dundalk, with its ‘Drip Clip’, who were mentored and supported throughout the year by their teacher Martin Coyne. The ‘Drip Clip’ is a multi-functional aid that makes painting more efficient and keeps paint fresher for longer. According to the judges, ‘It was an unanimous decision for a beautiful presentation that identified a universal problem and came up with a workable solution.’
Second place went to the ‘Lamb Saver’ team from Bush Post-Primary School in Riverstown, with their project of the same name, supported by teachers Paul Harkin and Stephen Clarke. The ‘Lamb Saver’ device is attached to existing iodine bottles to administer a controlled amount of iodine to lambs. The judges said ‘ This project offered a very practical and sustainable solution to a very common farming problem. The team was experienced with the issue and brought a lot of personal experience to the project.’
Third place was scooped by the STARRE team from St. Oliver Post-Primary School in Oldcastle, supported by teacher Nicky Kenny, for its ‘Guitar Assist’ project, a lightweight, durable and easy to attach 3D printed accessory attachment that stores picks, capos, slides and other small items necessary while playing, practising or performing. The judges said ‘The students from this team were enthusiastic and dedicated musicians who had identified a very practical problem and solution, and who presented their project perfectly.
There was also six category winners listed below.
Best Inspiration, Problem Solving and Development Award – The Popz team from Bush Post Primary in Dundalk, supported by teachers Paul Harkin and Stephen Clarke, for the ‘Pop It’, a multi-functional opening device designed to assist people with limited motor skill or strength. The judges said ‘This team identified, through discussions with family members, a particular problem opening cans and bottles. Having identified the problem, they considered and reconsidered their output carefully and demonstrated their project development strategies clearly to the judges.’
Best Use of Software Award – The Frost Flex team from Beaufort College in Navan, supported by teacher Sean Power, for ‘Ice Pack Holder’, a simple way to hold an icepack for longer periods of time to aid recovery. The judges said, ‘This team identified their problem and having come up with a solution, they revisited the problem with careful consideration of the software available, to use more flexible materials and a more usable solution.’
Best Understanding of 3D Printing – The Locker Shelf team from Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown for its invention of the same name, supported by teacher Ruairi Cooney, which was designed to fit to the inside of a school locker door, helping to keep lockers tidy, organised and make the most use of locker space. The judges said ‘The problem of a lack of shelving or storage in their school lockers is universal. This team developed a storage unit with various components and paid careful attention to detail.’
Best Understanding of 3D Printing – The Locker Shelf team from Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown for its invention of the same name, supported by teacher Ruairi Cooney, which was designed to fit to the inside of a school locker door, helping to keep lockers tidy, organised and make the most use of locker space. The judges said ‘The problem of a lack of shelving or storage in their school lockers is universal. This team developed a storage unit with various components and paid careful attention to detail.’
Best Customisation and Design Improvement Award – The S.P.O.T. team from St Oliver Post-Primary in Oldcastle supported by teacher Nicky Kenny, for ‘Table Bracket’, a 3D printed table connector designed to help teachers quickly and securely join classroom tables together. The judges said, ‘This unique, clever and simple solution to keep school desks together could make a considerable contribution towards teamwork and working together.’
Best Presentation Award – The Brace for Impact team from O’Carolan College in Nobber, supported by teacher Joseph O’Sullivan, for ‘Armie’, a discreet and simple elbow brace that allows for adjustable movement. The judges said ‘This team came together to present a solution for a problem encountered by one of the members when he broke his elbow. They each delivered a portion of the presentation and described what their individual contribution had been. It was interesting and engaging.’
Best Teamwork Award – the Beaz Bz team from Beaufort College in Navan, supported by teacher Sean Power, for its ‘Easy Lock’, designed to help students overcome the growing problem of being unable to open a conventional dial locker padlock, making it easier and faster for students to open and close lockers. The judges said that ‘This was one of the larger teams in the competition, and the team members demonstrated respect for each other and a recognition of each other’s strengths throughout the project.’
Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools at LMETB, said “The LMETB AMTCE FET Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project has become a powerful example of collaborative learning in action. Through the strong partnership between our schools, industry experts and the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence, students are being given meaningful opportunities to engage with real-world challenges in a creative and practical way.
The enthusiasm, innovation and professionalism demonstrated by the students throughout the programme and at today’s awards ceremony has been outstanding. LMETB is very grateful for the continued support of SOLAS and DFHERIS in helping to deliver this innovative initiative, which is making a lasting impact across schools in Louth and Meath.”
For further information on LMETB AMTCE FET Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project, please email ampathways@lmetb.ie .
