Mount Saint Michael students create app to assist with Irish sign language learning

THREE students from Mount Saint Michael Secondary School in Claremorris have created an app designed to help parents, teachers, and young children learn Irish Sign Language (ISL). 

The app created by Alicia Ward, Aoibhinn Jennings and Mary Josephine Ward earned a runners-up award in the Junior Technology category at SciFest@Teen-Turn. 

Their app, developed as part of their Teen-Turn programme, aims to empower families and educators to better communicate with and support children who rely on ISL for learning and interaction.

The trio are all participants in Teen-Turn’s afterschool Project Squad, which aims to empower young women through STEM education. They undertook the programme under the mentorship of their teacher, Stephanie Hogan. 

Their app, developed as part of their Teen-Turn experience, aims to empower families and educators to better communicate with and support children who rely on ISL for learning and interaction.

The project was inspired by the lack of resources and training for ISL in educational settings. 

“We wanted to make a difference for children who use ISL by creating something practical and accessible,” said one of the team members. “It’s about bridging the gap and making learning inclusive for everyone.”

Alicia Ward, Aoibhinn Jennings and Mary Josephine Ward also participated in the recent BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition along with seven other projects from Mount Saint Michael. 

All students spoke positively about their experience of Teen Turn. 

“It was incredible to have access to mentors and resources that helped us turn our vision into a real, working app. I couldn’t believe that I could actually make an app, it was my first time ever coding and I absolutely loved it,” Alicia Ward commented.