Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, will address Leaving Certificate Computer Science students in Galway and Cork this week as they take part in a climate-focused hackathon powered by the PorterShed, bringing together students from across the west and south to work with real environmental data as part of their Leaving Cert State exam projects.
Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, will open the event from the PorterShed in Galway, and her address will be live-streamed to students attending the Hackathon in Cork.
The computer science hackathon, now in its 4th year, is designed by the PorterShed programmes team and is supported by Ross Conboy, Computer Science Teacher at the Bish Secondary School, Galway.
The event is funded by the Western Development Commission and Local Enterprise Offices in both Galway and Cork. Designed specifically to align with the Leaving Certificate curriculum, the hackathon gives students practical exposure to environmental datasets, sensors, and climate-focused challenges. Participants will work in teams to explore topics such as forest protection, risk prediction, and climate-smart solutions, while receiving mentoring from industry professionals and educators.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, highlighted the importance of the Hackathon.
“Projects like this hackathon are exactly what we need more of across the West of Ireland. They encourage creativity, experimentation and considered risk-taking, which are essential foundations of a strong and resilient startup ecosystem.
“As artificial intelligence reshapes how we work and build businesses, it is vital that young people are equipped not just to use new technologies but to lead with them. Connecting students with real data, real challenges and industry mentors helps build confidence, capability and long-term ambition. This is the kind of forward-looking, collaborative approach that will support innovation and sustainable economic development across the region in the years ahead,” he added.
The hackathon is free to attend, and students are welcome to register individually or as part of a school group. The registration form is available on the PorterShed.com website; all are welcome.
The programme will be delivered by PorterShed Programme Manager, Dushyant Singh who said that the event gives students the space to think critically, collaborate, and apply their learning in a way that directly supports their Leaving Cert coursework.
“Environmental data can feel abstract in the classroom, but when students work with real datasets and real problems, it clicks. This event is about confidence, capability, and showing students that their ideas matter.”
Throughout the day, students will participate in workshops, mentoring sessions, and team-based challenges, culminating in a pitch to a panel of judges. The event places equal emphasis on learning, collaboration, and practical outcomes, helping students strengthen project work while building with real data.
