Rhema Olushola impressed judges and audiences alike with her innovative sustainability app, Eco Threads.
A STUDENT from Thomond Community College stole the spotlight at the recent Technovation Ireland Regional Pitch event.
Rhema Olushola impressed judges and audiences alike with her innovative sustainability app, Eco Threads.
The project was developed as part of the Teen-Turn 12 week afterschool Technovation programme which aims to disrupt fast fashion by promoting sustainable choices and creativity through upcycling.
Eco Threads encourages users to embrace mindful shopping, focusing on timeless, high-quality clothing and reducing waste through fashion repurposing.
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“The idea for Eco Threads was born from my love for alternative fashion,” Rhema explained. “It’s not just about standing out—it’s about expressing yourself and rejecting the wasteful culture of throwaway fashion. I wanted to create something that helps people make better choices for the planet and themselves.”
There was also success on the day for 2nd year student Chloe O’Loughlin from St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon, Co. Clare.
Chloe nabbed the Junior Category Award at the Technovation Ireland Regional Pitch Event (RPE) for her work on creating an app to help people with dementia.
This project was particularly personal to Chloe who had a dream to help people suffering with dementia in a simple and easy way. She said: ‘I have relatives with dementia. I see firsthand the effects that it has on them. I wanted to think of something that would help them.’
It was this initial thought that led her to create and develop her app called Brain Track.
The app features a to-do list, calendar, to keep track of different appointments and allows relatives and caregivers to keep an eye on them.
An additional feature of the app is a profile page where the user or their relatives can input profiles of the people around them including photos and key details about that person.
Her mentor Donna O’Sullivan, who is also a teacher at the school, applauded Chloe for her commitment and dedication to the project and app. “Chloe has shown tremendous dedication and commitment to attending our Teen-Turn sessions after school each week and made superb progress during that time. We are so proud of what she has achieved and grateful to Teen-Turn for their continued support in developing tech skills for our girls.”
65 projects from eight counties and more than 20 schools were submitted to Technovation from Ireland this year. Chloe will now represent Ireland in the semi-finals of the global competition.
