Congratulations to Afric Deasy from Kinsale Community School, Ireland, who won the Oracle Academy award at the inaugural Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Afric’s project was “Sherlock: An improved, universal AI model for the automatic evaluation of bias in news media,” with support from her teacher, Shaun Holly.
Oracle Academy was delighted to support Stripe YSTE 2026, celebrating over 60 years of inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovator at the RDS, Dublin, 8–10 January, as thousands of young minds showcased ideas shaping the future of STEM.
Over 1,000 students presented 550 projects to solve real world problems at one of the world’s leading student science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) events.
The event’s overall winner was Aoibheann Daly, who claimed the top prize for her brain cancer diagnosis tool.
Young innovators showcase projects
The event had over 3,000 applications from schools across Ireland from both individuals and teams. The top 550 projects were on display in the following categories: Technology, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Biological & Ecological Sciences, Chemical Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Health and Wellbeing.
Nearly a quarter of these projects (24%) involved using or examining AI across five different categories, covering everything from the future of education and work, to predicting crop health and the properties of dark matter.
Environment and climate-related projects made up 22% of those on display, covering climate action, biodiversity, and renewable energy. These include investigations of climate action, solar panels, more environmentally-friendly types of plastic, biofuels made from algae or spoiled milk, and new ways to reuse energy from data centres, busy roads, or simply opening the door.
Health also remained a key focus for students, with projects exploring disease detection and modelling, new treatments for cancer and diabetes, health tech, and mental well-being.
A judging panel of experts from science, technology, and business selected over 200 prize winners, including the overall winner, who will represent Ireland in the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS).
As a special award sponsor, Oracle had the honour presenting the Oracle Academy award on stage, recognising outstanding achievement and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
We are inspired by this outstanding event and the innovation of the young entrants. Congratulations to all those who entered and had projects on exhibition. View more details on the winners here. For more information on the event, see Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) 2026.
As the philanthropic global education arm of Oracle, Oracle Academy is pleased to be a part of this amazing event and continues to offer free technology education teaching and learning resources to academic institutions and their educators to help advance student technology learning across the globe.
Not yet a member of Oracle Academy? Join now. Learn more at academy.oracle.com.