SciFest Ezine
SciFest National Final Special Edition AARON HANNON – OVERALL WINNER OF SCIFEST 2017
VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
Student who designed a unique assisted In this issue:
shaving device wins SciFest 2017 Aaron Hannon, from St Muredach’s
Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy and
College, Ballina, Co. Mayo was
Communications at SFI and Sarah
named the overall winner of SciFest
Sexton, Communications Manager,
2017, for his project, ‘EnableArm – a Shaving Device for People with Limited Hand Dexterity, and will go on to represent Ireland at the Intel International
Science
and
Berlin Long Night of Science Award………………………………………………
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SciFest Celebrating 10 Years of Science for All…………………………………..
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Scientific, Galway presented Aaron
Innovations in 2017………………………….
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with a trophy and a cheque for €500.
SciFest@School..................................
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SciFest@College 2018……………………..
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Pre-SciFest Event @AIT……………………
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Contact Us……………………………………….
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Intel Ireland. Aaron also won the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award for his work. Richie O'Sullivan, Director of R&D, Boston
Pennsylvania next year.
Final after his success at the SciFest
November was attended by Richard Bruton T.D., Minister for Education and Skills. Aaron was presented with the SciFest 2017 SFI Intel ISEF Award by Dr
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Aaron secured his place at the National
Conference Centre in Dublin on 10
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SciFest 2017 National Final Award Winners…………………………………………..
Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh
The final, which was held in the Marino
Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, TD……………………………. Photographs from the SciFest 2017 National Final…………………………………..
Page
regional fair in IT Sligo.
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
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Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, TD The Minister for Education and Skills Richard
Bruton,
TD
visited
the
exhibition during the morning and spoke to a number of the students. Speaking about the exhibition he said, “We live in a rapidly changing world
and our education system must respond by equipping our young people with the skills and knowledge to thrive in such an environment. That is why I have placed such an emphasis
on
the
teaching
and
learning of STEM in my role as Minister, as part of my overall ambition to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe within a decade. Indeed, I will shortly launch a comprehensive STEM plan which will outline how my
Department proposes to ignite a
government level and I am very
passion for the STEM subjects in all
impressed by the standard of projects
students. The STEM subjects are
displayed here today and the amount
crucial for equipping our young
of work that students and of course,
people with creativity, adaptability,
teachers and parents have put in to
problem-solving and critical thinking–
each and every one. I congratulate
skills which are so important for their
all the students, their families and
future.
mentors but in particular to Aaron on
SciFest
is
an
excellent
initiative that supports and enhances what we are trying to do at a
Photographs from the SciFest 2017 National Final
his winning entry.”
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
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SciFest 2017 National Final Award Winners Award SFI Intel ISEF Award
Students Aaron Hannon
School
Teacher
Project Title
Venue
St Muredach's College, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Kevin Boyle
EnableArm: The Shaving Device for People with Limited Hand Dexterity
ITS
Berlin Long Night of Science Award
Thomas Curtin, Dylan Moloney
Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Donal Enright
Height Adjustable Crutch
LIT
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award
Aaron Hannon
St Muredach's College, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Kevin Boyle
EnableArm: The Shaving Device for People with Limited Hand Dexterity
ITS
Abbott Life Sciences Award
Shannon Mc Hugh, Ciara Keaveney
Glenamaddy Community School, Co. Galway
Deirdre Hardiman
Fire Ashes – An Undervalued Nutrient
GMIT
THEA Award
Omar Salem
Sutton Park School, Sutton, Dublin 13
Catherine Tattersall
Protecting Turbofans from Foreign Object Damage
DIT
ISTA Award
Adam Kelly
Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath
Margaret Mandal
Can Beet Beat Other Cattle Feeds?
AIT
SciFest 10th Anniversary Award
Jack Nagle
Community College Killorglin, Co Kerry
Donal O Reilly
Tractor Safe Lock
IT Tralee
Aaron Hannon with Richie O’Sullivan, Boston Scientific
Aaron Hannon with Sarah Sexton, Intel and Dr Ruth Freeman, SFI
Omar Salem with Marie Walsh, LIT
Thomas Curtin and Dylan Moloney with Dr Jennifer Cleary
Jack Nagle with Sheila Porter, SciFest
Adam Kelly with Mary Mullaghy, ISTA
Shannon Mc Hugh, Ciara Keaveney with Paul Hennessy, Abbott
A complete list of the SciFest 2017 finalists can be found at http://scifest.ie/scifest-2017-national-finalists Official photographs taken on the day can be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sp13
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
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were completely submerged in German
The embassy staff were very much
culture. A first for both of us as we have
interested in our project and we had
never travelled to Germany before.
great discussion over lunch. Visiting the embassy was a great experience to have
One of the meetings the Berlin Embassy
included in our trip and we were
and SciFest had organized for us was a
honoured to be their guests.
meeting with a Science Professor. When we arrived in the Technik Universität
The following night was the main one as
Berlin, we were directed towards the
we attended the Long Night of Science
Department of Nanoscience to meet
itself. The Technik Universtate of Berlin
Berlin Long Night of Science Award by Heather Murphy and Naoise Tobin, Sutton Park School, Dublin
HEATHER, NAOISE, CATHERINE TATTERSALL (TEACHER) AND NIGEL CLARK, FIRST SECRETARY, (HEAD OF EU AFFAIRS AND GERMAN FOREIGN & SECURITY POLICY) EMBASSY OF IRELAND, BERLIN
with Professor Axel Hoffman. The staff in
opened its doors to the public and put on
the university were very helpful and we
shows, demonstrations, displays and
shortly found his office in the large
games to entertain and educate all ages.
campus. The professor was interested in
Although we thought that we would be
our project and had fluent English. He
slightly lost with the German language,
was very interested in our thoughts
we were pleasantly surprised to see
surrounding the future of science
many stands in English and most
amongst young people, and told us his
students and professors spoke fluent
own story of how he got to where he is
English. It was a brilliant night as we
today. He praised our initiative to take it
gained insight into the running of this
upon ourselves to enter a project in
magnificent university filled with
SciFest. We then proceeded to tour the
knowledge. From chemical explosions in
various laboratories he was responsible
labs, to the physics in engineering and
for. With millions of euros of equipment
live dissections we were eager to stay
in each of the two labs, we were shocked
and learn more but unfortunately our
at the openness and helpfulness of the
Berlin trip couldn’t last forever.
students working in them. We were To say we were honoured to be awarded
shown the different parts to the laser
On flying back to Dublin, some four days
with a trip of a lifetime in the SciFest
microscopes and given detailed
later we had gained so much experience,
2016 National final would be an
explanations of the experiments they
knowledge and inspiration, not just from
understatement. As the summer holidays
were conducting. With both of us having
our trip to Berlin but from the day we
came closer, we were preparing for our
an interest in science and engineering,
started out in SciFest DCU. The skills we
trip to Berlin, to visit their National Long
this was a truly fascinating experience
learned along the way have come into
Night of Science in one of the largest
being surrounded by people who loved
practice day after day and our trip to
technology universities in Europe.
what they did.
Berlin was a huge success and treat. And for all of that we can’t thank our school
We travelled to Berlin in the early hours
As a part of our trip, we were invited to
Science department, everyone from
to start off our packed weekend of tours
the Irish Embassy and treated like VIPs. It
SciFest and the Berlin Embassy enough
and visits. From visits to local restaurants
was a great experience to see all of the
for the incredible opportunities we have
and parks to the museum island with 5
behind the scenes work of the embassy
been lucky enough to experience.
UNESCO world heritage sites and the
and also the sheer amount of Irish
This award is supported by the Department of
government Reichstag Buildings, we
students and citizens living in Germany.
Foreign Affairs and Trade
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
SciFest Celebrating 10 Years of Science for All The SciFest science fair programme was launched nationwide by the then Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, TD in the Science Gallery in Trinity College, Dublin on 11 April 2008. FAST FACTS
The number of students participating in SciFest has increased from 1600 in 2008 to 10,000 in 2017
The number of schools participating has increased from 100 in 2008 to 298 in 2017
SciFest students have won 8 major awards in the 6 years in which they have been competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
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‘Science Foundation Ireland is very proud to support SciFest. Our aim is to promote an awareness of STEM across the country and to also encourage people to engage with STEM in their everyday lives. We know that engaging young people at an early age is crucial. SciFest is an important grassroots event that promotes STEM among students, not just for one day, but throughout the year, at local and regional science fairs. Students in turn have the opportunity to make their interests a reality by developing projects that push the boundaries of science in new and exciting ways.’ Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy & Communications, Science Foundation Ireland
‘SciFest creates opportunities for students to work cooperatively with others on areas of local, national and/or global scientific and engineering interest. Through participation at SciFest events students develop skills sets that will inspire and shape the next generation of creative problem solvers and entrepreneurs. Such skills sets will be required to address future global concerns of food, water and energy security, create wealth to sustain growth and provide better health services and better infrastructure.’ Sarah Sexton, Communications Manager, Intel Ireland
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, Gerry Nolan, Intel, Sheila Porter, Founder and Peter Brabazon, Discover Science and Engineering at the launch of the SciFest Programme in 2008
The number of teachers participating in SciFest has increased from 150 in 2008 to 625 in 2017
The number of SciFest STEM fairs has increased from 9 in 2008 to 88 in 2017
The number SciFest students of teachers have participating won 3 majorhas increased awards from in the 1503 in years 2008into which 625 in they 2017 have been competing in the International Environment and Sustainability Project Olympiad (INESPO
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
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regional level may use this work towards the community service element of their award, again provided they meet the relevant criteria.
Innovations in 2017 SciFest joined Gaisce – The President’s Award – as a Challenge Partner
This means that students may use their work on their SciFest project as the skills element of their Gaisce Award provided they meet the relevant criteria. Students who help to organise a SciFest event at local or
SciFest@TCPID
TCPID is the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities which is an activity of the School of Education in TCD. The students were mentored by staff from Abbott Ireland who also sponsored the SciFest@TCPID event in the Science Gallery last May.
Teacher Training
In collaboration with Dr Joe MacDonagh, Chartered Psychologist and Chartered Scientist a two-hour workshop was hosted in IT Tallaght in September for teachers supporting students doing Behavioural and Social Science projects.
Attendees were introduced to current research best practice in psychology and social science. It is hoped to repeat the workshop in 2018.
SciFest@School 11 schools have hosted SciFest@School science
For SciFest@School registration forms and more information see: http://scifest.ie/scifestschool
fairs to date this term, with a further four confirmed for December and one to be confirmed.
SciFest@School, Wilson’s Hospital, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath
SciFest@School, Creagh College, Gorey, Co. Wexford
SciFest@School, CBS Roscommon
SciFest@School, Skerries Community College, Co. Dublin
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
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SciFest@College 2018 Venue
Date
DIT Kevin St.
13 April 2018
Cork
20 April 2018
Athlone
25 April 2018
Carlow
25 April 2018
DCU
1 May 2018
Dundalk
2 May 2018
Galway-Mayo
3 May 2017
Blanchardstown
9 May 2018
Tralee
9 May 2018
Sligo
9 May 2018
Limerick
TBD
Waterford
TBD
LIT Thurles
TBD
Tallaght
TBD
Letterkenny
TBD
SciFest@ NorthWest(NI), St Mary's College
TBD
AIT Hosts Pre-SciFest Event On Thursday 23 November AIT hosted a pre-SciFest event in the Nursing building of the East Campus. The event included a winner’s reception where SciFest@AIT 2017 winners exhibited their projects to a number of students from local secondlevel schools. The opening address was given by Sheila Porter Founder and CEO of SciFest. This was followed by a winners’ forum, chaired by Dr Don Faller, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health. Students were also treated to a number of talks and demos which included: ‘Bees, Diversity and the Human Immune System’ by Gerry O’Reilly, Offaly Bee Keepers’ association, ‘The Physics and Chemistry of Pottery’ by Carole Quinlan, potter and art teacher, LWETB and ‘First Aid from the Hedgerow’ by Paula Sharkey, landscape architect, herbalist and horticultural tutor, LWETB. It was an excellent event. Congratulations to the organisers, particularly Chris McCormack and Dr Brian Murphy.
Closing Date for Entries to SciFest@College 2018 ‘We believe SciFest is an excellent opportunity for students to research, explore
Friday 9 March 2018 (Except in the case of SciFest@NorthWest in St Mary's College, Derry, where the entry date is Friday 11 May 2018)
Please check the website www.scifest.ie regularly for updates
and develop their own ideas. It is through endeavours like this that students can nurture a passion for the STEM subjects and the positive impact they have on the world around us. Our commitment at Boston Scientific is to advance healthcare while giving back to the communities in which our employees live and work. We believe STEM education is a top priority for our business, for our patients and for our communities. We are delighted therefore to see such talented students taking part in events such as SciFest.’ Richie O’Sullivan Director Research & Development Boston Scientific Galway
SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017
SciFest
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is supported by
Ezine The Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry
CONTACT US: e: info@scifest.ie m: 086 379 6143 w: www.scifest.ie