Fiona Borkin from Letterkenny, a 3rd Year Mechanical Student at LYIT has come 2nd in the National Speak Out for Engineering Awards. Fiona was recognised for developing a “Multi-Sensory Device for Children with Autism,” which she built along with fellow Mechanical Engineering student Oisin Rodgers.

Dave Kavanagh, Lecturer at LYIT, encouraged them to enter the Speak Out for Engineering Awards, a third level national competition which recognises innovative and viable engineering solutions to problems. “When our Multi Sensory Device was shortlisted to the final six, I was really surprised and stunned to have come second in the final stage,” explains Fiona.

The device is a portable, multi-sensory unit, which can be used to enhance and build the communications skills in children across the autistic spectrum. Sensory stimulation of all the senses has been found to greatly improve communications skills amongst children who have severe and profound learning difficulties also.

The unit is roughly A4 box in size and has aspects to stimulate and engage children e.g. pinball game, aromatherapy sensor, PECS picture exchange, shape sorter, multiple sides with different tactile surfaces and a maze with a ball bearing. A very simple and innovative idea, not one people would normally associate with mechanical engineering.

“Essentially the idea is to replicate a sensory room as far as possible,” explains Fiona. My friend’s nephew has autism so I was aware of the positive impact of sensory rooms and of the constraints in gaining access to these. Another friend who’s a schoolteacher and also works with children with severe & profound needs says it’s cost prohibitive to have multi-sensory rooms. So the thought was to the take the elements of the room to the child rather than the other way around.”

“Both Oisin and I were thinking along the lines of Multi- Sensory for our 3rd year project and this seemed like a worthwhile idea. We designed the device to meet the needs of my friend’s child” says Fiona Borkin, “we certainly weren’t thinking about entering it into any awards.”

“Sadly Oisin had a family bereavement so he couldn’t present the project with me but his input was just as important,” she says.

Does she think this Award will encourage more women to study Mechanical Engineering? “There’s no reason why women can’t study Mechanical Engineering. It’s really down to the passion of the individual. I’ve always been fascinated about how things work and had a curiosity about solving problems. In our class of 24 there are 4 women and we all get on really well.”

“I think the Award shows that mechanical engineering isn’t really just about nuts and bolts. Lateral thinking and innovation are just as relevant in this area.”

Fiona is definitely a determined lady, with 2 children under 7 she has persevered over 6 years to get her Degree. “I’ll get there I’m just taking a bit longer. When you want something bad enough you work for it.”

She’s applying that steadfastness to the Multi-Sensory Device. “I hope it can be mass-produced one day so that it can be used for children with autism all over Ireland. We’ve developed a prototype and we want to test it and the next stage will be to encourage someone to produce it. Obviously the Award is a great way to raise awareness of the project and help us make this happen.”

Fiona wants to finish her Honours Degree next year and is very positive about the future, “I would be happy working in lots of fields, I’ve really enjoyed the course and the college. I feel confident I’ll have the skills to learn and develop further. I know I’ll get a job which is right for me.”