SciFest 2024 STEM Champion, Maura Moore-McCune, to Represent Ireland at Regeneron ISEF in Ohio
Palmerstown, Dublin – December 2024
The King’s Hospital School is proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of fifth-year student Maura Moore-McCune, who has been crowned SciFest STEM Champion 2024. Maura’s innovative project, VIPMOD: Vision Impaired Person’s Moving Object Detector, will represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio, in February 2025.
Maura’s groundbreaking app addresses a critical global issue—enhancing safety for visually impaired individuals. Through advanced AI, VIPMOD detects fast-moving objects, such as vehicles, and provides audio and tactile warnings, offering a vital tool for navigation and safety.
Her journey to this global stage has been one of determination and resilience. Inspired by a personal experience of narrowly avoiding an accident with an electric car, Maura conceptualized VIPMOD in second year. Since then, her project has earned prestigious awards, including an Irish Patent Certificate, RSA Ireland Leading Lights Award, and Gold Medal at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
A Visionary for Change
Reflecting on her achievement, Maura said, “VIPMOD has life-saving potential. I hope to inspire others to innovate and create solutions for real-world challenges.”
Her participation in the Patch Student Entrepreneur Workshop, supported by Stripe, further honed her entrepreneurial skills, preparing her to bring VIPMOD to a global market valued at $14.4 billion by 2033.
Community and School Support
Acting Headmaster, Cormac UaBruadair, commended Maura’s remarkable achievements:
“Maura is a shining example of innovation, resilience, and community support. Her success reflects the values we uphold at The King’s Hospital School.”
The school’s science faculty, led by Ciaran O’Connor and Maura Quinn, have been instrumental in fostering her development, alongside key partnerships with Vision Ireland, OCO Global, and HGF Limited.
The Road Ahead
As Maura prepares for ISEF, her focus remains on turning VIPMOD into a commercially viable product. She is seeking collaborators to expand its reach, aiming to positively impact the lives of over 2 billion visually impaired individuals worldwide.
The King’s Hospital School wishes Maura every success as she takes her innovation to the global stage in Ohio.
