Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) proudly hosted the annual Ideas Made Real Transition Year Programme Showcase and Awards Ceremony at the Mullingar Park Hotel. This year’s event welcomed over 360 Transition Year students from 14 schools across the Midlands and beyond, celebrating their creativity and achievements in solving real-world challenges through advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Ideas Made Real is an initiative of Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry realities. It empowers Transition Year students through innovation challenges that integrate STEM learning with real-life applications. Learn more at https://imr.ie/what-we-do/ideasmadereal. Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a leading Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) in Ireland, driving innovation and advanced manufacturing across multiple sectors. With industrial pilot lines and labs in Mullingar, IMR works with companies of all sizes to explore, test, and adopt emerging technologies. IMR supports industry in becoming early adopters of the Fourth Industrial Revolution while advancing sustainable practices through digitisation, robotics, design for manufacturing, and circular economy solutions. Their mission is to empower all sectors and sizes of manufacturing to thrive and lead through the integration of innovation, collaboration, and world-class R&D.
At this years’ Idea Made Real Showcase, students from schools including Castlepollard Community College, CBS Mullingar, Loreto College, Mullingar Community College, St Finian’s College, St Mel’s College and a number of other schools from across Ireland, presented hands-on projects they developed throughout the programme, with a highlight on the 3D Printing Challenge.
These projects addressed real-world issues such as accessibility, sustainability, health, and safety—ranging from custom-printed solutions for people with disabilities to safety enhancements for sports equipment.
Nurturing the next generation of Innovators
“Ideas Made Real represents the next generation of innovators. At IMR, we believe in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry, and this programme does exactly that. Seeing all the students tackle real challenges with creativity and purpose—it’s not just impressive, it’s hopeful for the future of Irish manufacturing,” said Barry Kennedy, CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research.
“Irish Manufacturing Research are delighted to continue to grow the Ideas Made Real TY Programme nationally,” said Liz Carroll, Learning and Development Director at IMR. “This year we have grown from 6 participating schools to 14. What makes this programme so attractive is it makes STEM accessible to and engaging for all students in a fun and inclusive manner, allowing all talents and capabilities to shine. As in the real world, it is not only technical skills that are required. The teams need idea generators, problem solvers, marketeers, communicators … there is a role for everyone. It helps show that the world of manufacturing is a credible career option for many.”
Luana Raggi, Programme Coordinator of Ideas Made Real, shared “What makes this programme special is how it empowers students to move from concept to reality. They are learning not only to design and build, but also to collaborate, present, and solve problems that matter to their communities. This event is a celebration of their commitment and talent.”
The Ideas Made Real programme, developed by IMR, equips Transition Year students with a structured, hands-on learning journey that blends design thinking, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. Through a five-module framework, students engage in empathy mapping, problem definition, ideation, 3D design using tools like Tinkercad and Cura, prototyping, and iterative testing. The programme culminates in a 3D Printing Challenge where students present their real-world solutions through compelling posters and presentations.
Supported by teacher guides and technical coaching, the programme builds both technical skills and creative confidence while promoting teamwork and practical problem-solving aligned to community challenges. The programme is fully in line with the updated national STEM curriculum, ensuring that students develop essential competencies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on, inquiry-based, and interdisciplinary learning.
Midlands leading the way in STEM Education
The Ideas Made Real programme is one of a range of STEM initiatives taking place in schools across the Midlands, with the region leading the way nationally through a range of programmes in robotics, engineering, advanced manufacturing, coding, podcasting and more.
The Midlands region has won numerous awards for the STEM initiatives taking place across the region, reaching thousands of children at Primary and Secondary levels each year. The region was named Overall Digital Town Award Winner for 2024 in recognition of the work of the regional Broadband Officers and STEM Engagement Officers in bringing STEM initiatives into our schools.
Programmes such VEX Robotics, First Lego League, Ericsson INFUSE, Microsoft DreamSpace, STEM Passport for Inclusion, DreamBig and Ideas Made Real are making a difference in hundreds of schools across the region, bringing future skills into classrooms across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
