BTYSE: Coláiste Mhuire students look at financing the future

The degree of financial literacy among Irish teens was the subject on which Coláiste Mhuire students Dylan Kennedy, Hubert Kozlowski and Charles Dupuis chose to focus. Their conclusion was that the lack of education in that field represents "a glaring gap" in the educational system and that empowering teens through a financial literacy app and other tech tools would bring benefits for the young people, and for Ireland as a whole.

The project started with Dylan and Charlie, who have a shared interest in finance and investing: "But we needed a programmer – and that was Hubert!" says Charlie. The three gelled well, and the result is that for the competition, the boys developed a financial literacy course and a website.

"By addressing the education gap in financial literacy, we are shaping a generation of financially empowered individuals ready to navigate the complexities of the financial world," they say.

The course teaches about stocks and shares: "We like to promote stocks that have a big influence in Ireland or that have ties to this country," says Charlie.

Their project greatly impressed Minister Peter Burke, who is a finance professional, and he expressed his admiration of their work when he stopped by their stand.

It also impressed judges at the entry came second in the senior group section of the Social and Behavioural Sciences category.