Derry student wins prestigious NI Sentinus Young Innovators 2024 Award

St. Joseph’s Boys School Year 12 student Mykyta Telychko was the proud recipient of the prestigious Sentinus Young Scientist Overall Winner 2024 award in Belfast winning through from fierce opposition against over 100 students from schools across Northern Ireland.

The prestigious event brought together over 100 students aged 12-18 from schools and colleges from all counties where they showcased their innovative STEM projects.

His younger sibling and Year 9 student Makar also picked up second place in the 12-14 age group Engineering Category with his innovative project ‘Interactive Ear on Arduino: Light Art Object That Reacts to Sound and Motion’.

Mykyta’s project was based on an ‘Interactive Dictionary For Learning Sign Languages Using Computer Vision and Open Databases’.

The two young students, originally from Ukraine, only started in September, 2024 at St. Joseph’s and proudly boast that their parents work in the school with dad Sergiy, the librarian and mum Hanna working part-time as a science technician.

Indeed, the family only came to Derry in May 2024 through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ project and were sponsored by local Creggan couple Joe and Dana Feeney. They also live in the Creggan Estate, close to the school.

The science pedigree is obvious with dad boasting a Masters in Science Degree and mum a Phd. in Computer Science.

School Vice Principal, Fiona Harrigan-Stewart said the school was very proud of the two young students’ achievements and the award was a ‘stepping-stone to further successes and accolades for not just Mykyta and Makar but other students in St. Joseph’s.

She said: "We at St. Joseph’s are very proud of the boys. For Mykyta to come away with the top prize is fantastic for him and indeed, the school family at St. Joseph’s.

"Well done to young brother Makar too in picking up a second place in the Engineering category in his age group. It’s must be noted that this family only started at the school in September, 2024 and have certainly put their stamp on the ethos and positivity of St. Joseph’s Boys School. We are delighted that both mum and dad work in the school too."

Endorsing those sentiments and also congratulating the two boys, Principal Ciara Deane added: "Well done Mykyta and Mark. This triumph will inspire other students to develop mathematical and scientific skills during their time at St. Joseph’s and the two boys have set a standard for others to follow. I’m sure our two staff members, mum and dad Hanna and Sergiy are as proud of their boys as we are."

Building on the recent success, Mrs. Deane also appealed to students to get involved in the school’s STEM Club under the guidance of Mr. Telychko.

"We fully intend on building on this for next year, so if you’re feeling inspired, we invite you to join our STEM Club which is held in the library every Monday to Friday from 3-5pm. Come along and sign up by visiting the school’s library and let’s innovate together."