February 2017 Volume 8 Number 3
SciFest Ezine 10th annual SciFest officially launches for 2017 On 1 February the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD officially launched the 10th annual SciFest from St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Killester, Dublin and called on second-level students from across Ireland to
Inside this issue
demonstrate their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills. Since its inception in 2008, over 40,000 students have participated in the competition, which represents a year on year increase of 23% in participation. Supported mainly by Science Foundation Ireland, Boston Scientific and Intel the aim of SciFest is to give students of all abilities the opportunity to develop research, problem solving, critical thinking and presentation skills.
Students from St Mary’s Holy Faith, Killester at the launch of SciFest 2017
www.scifest.ie
SciFest Celebrates 10 Years of Science for All
2
SciFest@College 2017
2
SciFest@College 2017 Awards
3
SciFest@College 2017 Resources
3
SciFest@School 2017 Roll of Honour
4
Meeting Deadlines
5
Project Timetable
5
Sponsors
6
Contacts
6
SciFest Celebrates 10 Years of Science for All The SciFest programme provides an opportunity for all students to achieve at a level commensurate with their ability and interest. Participation in SciFest builds self-confidence, improves communication and presentation skills and encourages the student to think in a critical and independent manner. Students select their own problem to solve, usually something they are passionate about.
Inaugural SciFest @ITT in 2006
SciFest participation involves real discovery for the majority of students and an
indescribable sense of personal achievement. Most importantly SciFest helps promote a positive attitude to STEM and encourages the necessary skills and confidence to take STEM at senior cycle level. Students who participate in SciFest are then more likely to leave school equipped with the necessary skills for solving real world problems such as food, water and energy shortages. Addressing such global concerns will create and drive the jobs and skills needs of the future.
‘SciFest has been a hugely enriching and positive experience for the entire school community at St. Mary’s. It provides an excellent opportunity to get the students actively involved in Science in a fun and engaging way as well as facilitating students and teachers to work collaboratively to develop valuable key skills. For an all-girls school focusing on the promotion of Science, the SciFest experience is a critical support. The joy of seeing students showcasing their work and communicating their ideas to others is immensely encouraging and motivational for everyone involved.’ Ms. Evelyn McLoughlin, Principal, St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, Dublin 5
SciFest @College 2017 SciFest@College STEM fairs are open to all second-level students and take place at 16 regional venues – the 14 Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry – each year between March and June. The fairs are free to enter and there are lots of awards to be won at each venue. SciFest@College 2017— Science fair dates and venues Institute of Technology/ Venue
Date 2017
Institute of Technology/ Venue
Date 2017
Cork
31 March
Blanchardstown
3 May
DIT Kevin St.
6 April
DCU
5 May
Athlone
26 April
Tralee
9 May
Dundalk
26 April
Tallaght
9 May
Carlow
27 April
Sligo
9 May
Limerick
27 April
Galway-Mayo
11 May
Waterford
3 May
Letterkenny
12 May
LIT Thurles
3 May
NorthWest (NI), St Mary's College
TBD
The closing date for entries to SciFest@College 2017 is Friday 10 March 2017. (Except in the case of SciFest@NorthWest in St Mary's College, Derry, where the entry date is Friday 12 May 2017.)
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Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills speaking at the Launch of SciFest 2017
____________ “It is a pleasure to launch SciFest
2017, here at St Mary’s Secondary School in Killester. SciFest is now in its 10th year and I wish to congratulate all the organisers, the Institutes of Technology and DCU, and indeed the participating Engraved Dublin Crystal trophies are presented at each of the 16 regional SciFest@College venues
schools and teachers on reaching
SciFest@College 2017 Awards
this important milestone. For the generation of children
The following awards will be available at each SciFest@College 2017 science fair. A number of local awards are presented each year by the Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry.
currently in school and about to enter it, creative thinking and
Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award
Trophy + One4All tokens
Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award
Trophy + One4All tokens
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award
Trophy +One4All tokens
Intel Award (Best Physical Science or Technology Project)
Trophy + One4All tokens
SciFest 10th Anniversary Award
Trophy+ One4All tokens
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Sustainable Energy Award
Trophy + One4All tokens
Newstalk Best Communicator Award
Trophy + One4All tokens
BioPharmaChem Ireland Chemistry Award
Trophy + One4All tokens
RSC School Chemistry Award (Education Division) Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) Discover Space Teacher Award
(School Award) (Student Award) (Teacher Award)
Maths in Science Award Irish Science Teachers' Association (ISTA) Award
Laboratory equipment Trophy Trophy + One4All tokens
(Student Award)
Trophy + One4All tokens
SciFest@College 2017 Resources There are lots of resources on the website to support students . These can be found in the SciFest STEM Fairs Toolkit and include:
problem-solving
skills will
be
absolutely key to how they develop and achieve their potential. In particular, their ability to think critically and develop solutions will be vital for their prospects in life. SciFest plays an important role in instilling in our students that a STEM education can open many doors and by encouraging young people to develop a love of these subjects and to engage their passions outside the traditional
A PowerPoint presentation to explain what is meant by a medical device (by Boston Scientific) A PowerPoint presentation on sustainable energy projects (by SEAI) A TY Science by Inquiry module and a Beginners Guide to Doing a SciFest Project Choosing an idea for a project and getting started Report book and presentation Project Ideas, Impressing the Judges and Tips for Exhibiting at SciFest
And lots more Teachers should encourage their students to visit the website and check out these resources.
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School
Date
1.
St David’s Holy Faith Secondary, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
30/09/2016
2.
St Aidan's Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co. Cavan
06/10/2016
3.
Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin
25/10/2016
4.
Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin 14
16/11/2016
5.
Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow
16/11/2016
6.
Maria Immaculata Community College (1) Dunmanway, Co. Cork
16/11/2016
7.
CBS Roscommon, Abbeytown, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
17/11/2016
8.
Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown, Co. Meath
17/11/2016
9.
Creagh College, Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford
18/11/2016
10.
Loreto Secondary School, St. Michael's, Navan, Co. Meath
18/11/2016
11.
St Paul's Community College, Browne's Road, Waterford City
18/11/2016
12.
Lanesboro Community College, Lanesboro, Co. Longford
21/11/2016
13.
Carrigaline Community School, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co Cork
01/12/2016
14.
Stratford College (Scratch Fair), Rathgar, Dublin 6
13/12/2016
15.
Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
14/12/2016
16.
St Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
TBC
17.
Loreto College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
19/01/2017
18.
Stratford College (Science Fair), Zion Rathgar, Dublin 6
19/01/2017
19.
Our Lady's School, Terenure, Dublin 6W
24/01/2017
20.
Castlepollard Community College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
25/01/2107
21.
Lusk Community College, Lusk, Co. Dublin
26/01/2017
22.
Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
31/01/2017
23.
Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, Dublin 15
01/02/2017
24.
St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry, Co. Offaly
02/02/2017
25.
St. Mary's C.B.S., Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
02/02/2017
26.
Coláiste Chraobh Abhann, Creown, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
03/02/2017
27.
St. Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
03/02/2017
28.
St Joseph's College, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co Tipperary
15/02/2017
29.
St. Raphaela's Secondary School, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
15/02/2017
30.
Maria Immaculata Community College (2) Dunmanway, Co. Cork
15/02/2017
31. 32. 33.
Kishoge Community College, Lucan, Co. Dublin 16/02/2017 North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School, Bray, Co. Wicklow 17/02/2017 Wesley College, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16 28/02/2017
34.
Marist College, Retreat Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
01/03/2017
35.
St Leo’s College, Dublin Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow
01/03/2017
36.
Presentation College, Terenure, Dublin 6W
01/03/2017
37.
Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15
02/03/2017
38.
Nenagh College, Nenagh Road, Co. Tipperary
02/03/2017
39.
St. Patrick's Secondary School Castleisland, Co Kerry
02/03/2017
40.
St. Brendan's College, Killarney, Co. Kerry
03/03/2017
41.
St Mary's Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, Dublin 5
03/03/2017
42.
St Wolstan's Community School, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
03/03/2017
43.
Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co Cork
03/03/2017
44.
Loreto Secondary School (TY Fair), St. Michael's, Navan, Co. Meath
07/03/2017
45.
Scoil Pól, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick
08/03/2017
46.
Scoil Chríost Rí, Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
08/03/2017
47.
King’s Hospital, Brooklawn, Dublin 20
09/03/2017
48.
Santa Sabina Dominican College, Sutton, Dublin 13
10/03/2017
49.
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Shean Lower, Blarney, Co. Cork
10/03/2017
50.
Oaklands Community College, Edenderry, Co Offaly
16/03/2017
51.
Jesus and Mary College, Our Lady's Grove, Goatstown, Dublin 14
20/03/2017
52.
The Donahies Community School, Streamville Road, Dublin 13
29/03/2017
53.
Tullow Community School, The Mullawn, Tullow, Co. Carlow
31/03/2017
54.
Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois
04/04/2017
55.
Maria Immaculata Community College (3) Dunmanway, Co. Cork
10/05/2017
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SciFest@School 2017 Roll of Honour The current school year has been a busy one for SciFest. 52 schools have already either hosted or registered their dates for their SciFest@School. A number of other schools have also registered but have not yet submitted their dates. Organizing a SciFest@School science fair may seem like a daunting task but it is definitely a rewarding one. On the day of the fair you will be amazed when you listen to your students talking to the judges and explaining the results of their investigations at just how much they have learned.
St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
St Raphaela’s Secondary school, Stillorgan Co. Dublin
Meeting Deadlines Doing a SciFest project gives students an opportunity to practise their time management skills. Planning ahead, being able to meet deadlines, and work in a team are important skills for the student to develop in order to lead a balanced life of work and play. Students need guidance from the teacher and regular check-ups are necessary to ensure that the students are meeting their deadlines and not leaving everything to the last minute. It is a good idea to spend one class period making out a project timetable.
Project Timetable Project Title: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Entry forms due on
10 March Date of Science Fair
Science Fair Venue
Category: Please X the relevant boxes below the headings Individual Project
Group Project Junior
Student 1
Class
Intermediate Senior
Student 2
Class
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Student 3
Technology
Class
Name/s and Class: Deadlines—Tick the box on the right when each task is accomplished. Task 1.
Notes
Date Due
Accomplished
Idea
2.
Research Record
3.
List of Equipment & Materials
4.
Hypothesis
5.
Entry Forms
7.
Investigation
8.
Results and Conclusions
9.
Bibliography and Acknowledgements
10.
Editing by Parent, Teacher, Peer…….
11.
Project Report Book
12.
Visual Display
13.
Exhibition
10 March
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SciFest SciFest 2017
Contact Us e: info@scifest.ie
10 Years of Science for All
m: 086 379 6143 w: www.scifest.ie
Free entry Inclusive
Please check the website regularly for updates
Accessible Open to all second-level students
Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2017 is: Friday 10 March 2017 (except in the case of SciFest@NorthWest (NI) St Mary's College, Derry, where the entry date is Friday 12 May 2017)
Local, Regional, National, International Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2017 is 10 March Register for a SciFest@School anytime throughout the school year
Don't forget Students can use their participation in SciFest as the skill challenge of their Gaisce Award or, if helping you to organise the event, as their community involvement challenge. Note also that you can avail of a free Smart Futures careers talk for your students. See http://scifest.ie/free-stem-talks-for-schools-0.
Memory Lane
2008
2010 2011 2012
SciFest
is supported by The Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry
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