SciFest Ezine
Volume 10, Number 2, November
2018
National Final Special Edition
ADAM JUDGED OVERALL WINNER OF SCIFEST 2018 Adam Kelly, a fifth-year student from Skerries Community College was named the overall winner of SciFest 2018, at the SciFest National Final for his open source solution to simulating quantum computing and will go on to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona next year.
The final, held in Marino Conference Centre in Dublin, was attended by Richard Bruton T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Adam was presented with the SciFest 2018 SFI Intel ISEF Award by Margie McCarthy, Interim Director, Innovation and Education Directorate, SFI. Adam secured his place at the National Final after his victory at the SciFest regional final at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
“The STEM subjects are crucial, and I hope that the experience of taking part in this year’s completion has instilled a passion and an interest in the STEM subjects that will stand to all participants for years to come.” Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Two Students to Represent SciFest in America New Travel Award for Junior Students SciFest 2018 National Final Award Winners Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award
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SciFest STEM Outreach Award SciFest STEM School Award
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Thank You
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SciFest 2018 National Final Judges Contact Us
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SciFest@ITC 2018
TWO STUDENTS TO REPRESENT SCIFEST IN AMERICA Large scale quantum computers are not yet widely available, this means the development of quantum computers and algorithms requires fast, accurate simulations. More than 10,000 students participated in local and regional SciFest 2018 STEM fairs across the country. Since its inception in 2008, over 60,000 students have taken part in the competition, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 23% in participation. Adam was one of 63 students who went on to exhibit 37 STEM projects at the national final. Adam developed an open source solution to quantum computing which was up to 15 times faster than conventional simulators. His solution can be used by anyone in their own experiments with ease. This software has direct applications in the verification of quantum devices, quantum algorithm design and investigations of quantum supremacy.
NEW TRAVEL AWARD FOR JUNIOR STUDENTS This year’s SciFest saw the introduction of the Broadcom MASTERS Award. This new award saw five junior cycle students, ranging in age from 12 to 14, compete at the National Final for the opportunity to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS international programme in Phoenix, Arizona, which includes attendance at the 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
“We take pride in
creating the biggest, most inclusive student science event possible.” Sheila Porter SciFest Founder and CEO
The inaugural award was won by Éabha Kenny, from Scoil Muire gan Smál, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town, Roscommon. Éabha will be one of 28 delegates representing 25 countries.
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SciFest@DCU 2018
SCIFEST 2018 NATIONAL FINAL AWARD WINNERS Award
Students
School
Project
Teacher
Venue
SciFest 2018 Intel ISEF Award
Adam Kelly
Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin
An Open Source Solution to Simulating Quantum Computers Using Hardware Acceleration
Louise Sullivan
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Broadcom MASTERS Award
Éabha Kenny
Scoil Muire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town
The Investigation of how Microwave Padraig Radiation Affects Living Organisms Harlow
Institute of Technology Sligo
Long Night of Science Award
Odhran Brady
Salesian College, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
Quantifying Whiplash: An IoT Jorge Sensoring Approach to Help Reduce Andres Insurance Claims Costs
Institute of Technology Tallaght
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Nicole Marinos Award
Visual Communication Device to Christ King Girls' Promote Patient Participation and Secondary School, South Wellness During Magnetic Douglas Road, Cork Resonance Imaging
Denise Quilter
Cork Institute of Technology
Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Ireland’s Burning Problem: A Study of the Ecological Impact of Irish Gorse Fires
Mairead Cusack
Athlone Institute of Technology
Abbott Ireland Award
Emma Kelly Brian Conlon
THEA Award
Tony O’Halloran, Coláiste An Spioraid Aidan Mamo Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cooney Cork
Applications of Queuing Theory to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Ireland
Tim Kerins
Cork Institute of Technology
ISTA Award
Conn Meanscoil Gharman, Caomhánach, Brownswood, Con Ó Meachair Enniscorthy
Investigating the Biological Benefits of EM Probiotics in Agriculture
Elaine Nic Réamoinn
Waterford Institute of Technology
SciFest Scientist of the Future Award
Leo Camacho
St Eunan's College, Making Social Media a Better Place Letterkenny, Co Donegal Using Artificial Intelligence
Jane Gill
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Coláiste Bhréanainn, Cill Deer Watch Airne, Co. Chiarraí
Marian Institute of Technology O'Gorman Tralee
Darragh SciFest STEM Outreach Fleming, Ethan Award O Neill, Colm Looney Odhran
Aidan and Tony
Nicole
Con and Conn
Emma and Brian
Leo
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SciFest@LIT Moylish 2018 SciFest@DCU 2018
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICES GRAND AWARD Following the completion of the regional SciFest@College 2018 STEM fairs the winners of the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award at these fairs were asked to forward their project report books to SciFest CLG. A panel of judges representing SciFest and Boston Scientific assessed the projects, based on the report books, and selected six projects to go forward to compete for the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award at the National Final. The Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award was won by Nicole Marinos from Christ King Girls' Secondary School, South Douglas Road, Cork. The award was presented by Peter McKenna from Boston Scientific.
“We know that as these motivated and passionate young people go on to pursue their education in STEM-related fields of study, they will build a brighter society and a brighter future for everyone.” Richard O’Sullivan, Director, Research & Development, Boston Scientific Galway
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC FINALISTS L TO R
Nicole Marinos, Eimear Kearins, Ursuline College, Sligo, Jessica Murphy and Diana Meriakri, Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Kayleigh Doherty, St Mary’s College, Derry, Laura Kennedy, Caitríona Ryan and Aoife Butler, St Joseph’s College, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Aoife Dunne and Alice Carew, Mountrath Community School, Co. Laois
SCIFEST STEM OUTREACH AWARD SciFest 2018 finalists were invited to submit a short video of their project to be posted online where it could be voted on by the public. The posted videos received a total of 16,000 votes. The video with the most votes was ‘Deer Watch’ by Darragh Fleming, Ethan O Neill, Colm Looney from Coláiste Bhréanainn, Cill Airne, Co. Chiarraí.
Darragh, Ethan and Colm being presented with a trophy and a cheque for €300 at the national final by Sheila Porter, CEO SciFest
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SciFest@WIT 2018 SciFest@DCU 2018
SCIFEST STEM SCHOOL AWARD The ‘SciFest STEM School Award’ was introduced last September to recognize the support and commitment of school principals, teachers and leadership teams in second-level schools who, in collaboration with SciFest, have implemented the SciFest@School STEM fair programme
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE QUALIFIED FOR A SCIFEST STEM SCHOOL AWARD
To qualify for the award a school must be registered with SciFest and have hosted five SciFest@School STEM fairs. External judges should be employed and the fairs must operate under the SciFest Guidelines. Students and teachers must be aware of these guidelines before they begin projects. Schools qualifying for the award receive a framed certificate and an official SciFest STEM School Award digital badge which can be posted on the school website. The SciFest@School strand of the programme was introduced in 2011 so a number of schools qualify for the Award in the 2018/19 academic year.
Blackrock College/
Mount Anville Secondary School/
St Andrews College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
C.B.S. Roscommon, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon Mount Anville Secondary School, Mount Anville Rd, D 14 Loreto Secondary School, St Michaels, Navan, Co. Meath Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon Loreto College, 53 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Loreto St Michael’s, Navan/
CBS Roscommon
“SciFest is an important programme as it nurtures and expands these students’ budding interest in STEM subjects. The programme is not just a one-day event, but is ongoing throughout the year, at local and regional STEM fairs. Students in turn can make their interests a reality by developing projects that Margie McCarthy presenting SFI Excellence in STEM Awards at the National Final to Caoimhe Byrne, Ílona McCarthy and Eabha Garvey, Coláiste Dún an Rí, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
push the boundaries of science in new and exciting ways.” Margie McCarthy Interim Director, Science for Society, SFI
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A BIG THANK YOU FROM ALL AT SCIFEST TO: • • • • • •
The 660 teachers and 10,000 students who participated in SciFest 2018 The parents/guardians who supported the 10,ooo students SciFest’s partners and sponsors The 16 regional coordinators and their support teams at the 16 regional venues The SciFest alumni who judge at various fairs and help out when necessary The 700+ judges who gave freely of their time and expertise to judge at school, regional and national STEM fairs
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AGAIN IN 2019 SCIFEST 2018 NATIONAL FINAL JUDGES
Contact Us
SFI INTEL ISEF PROJECT AWARD JUDGES
e: info@scifest.ie
Mr Gerard Hughes (Chair) Dr Pádraig Ó'Murchú
m: 086 379 6143
Dr Deirdre Kilbane Mr Jim Cooke Dr Joe Mac Donagh Ms Michelle O'Flaherty Dr Andrew Hines Mr Bernard Capraro Mr Christopher Carragher Dr Jennifer McKenna Mr Conor Foy Mr Paul Hennessey Dr Andrew Hynes Prof. Patricia Maguire Mr Declan Cahalane Ms Alexandrine Naud Ms Aine Boland Prof. Paul McCabe Dr Martina Schroeder Claudia Fracchiolla Mr Bill Lynch Ms Noelle Campbell Dr Brian Keegan
Project Manager, Sentinus Former Education Manager, Intel Ireland SFI Research Fellow, Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), WIT Teacher of Mathematics Lecturer, ITT and Research Ethics board at St James’s Hospital and Tallaght Hospital Quality/ Validation Consultant, Consultancy, Griffith College, Ireland School of Computer Science, UCD Silicon Technology Research Manager, Intel Ireland DCU. ISEF Award winner (Alumnus0 European Programme Manager, Intel Research and Development Ireland ISEF 2014, Physics UCD (Alumnus) Customer Experience Director, Abbott Diagnostics School of Computer Science, UCD UCD Institute for Discovery Assistant Chief Inspector, Deptartment of Education and Skills Oriflame Raw Material Junior Cycle Support Service School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Human Health Institute, Maynooth University Marie Curie Fellow, University College Dublin Maths and Science Educator Business Development Manager, TransferMate Global Payments School of Computing DIT
BROADCOM MASTERS AWARD JUDGES Ms Anne Lynch (Chair) Ms Noreen McMorrow Mr Niall Kelly
SciFest Inspector, Dept of Education and Skills Junior Cycle Support Service
w: www.scifest.ie Please check the website regularly for updates www.scifest.ie Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2019 is: Friday 8 March 2019
‘It is the bright, creative and curious minds of today’s students that will be responsible for the innovations of tomorrow. They hold the key to technologies and discoveries that we have yet to imagine.’
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICES AWARD JUDGES Ms Catherine Tattersall (Chair) Mr Kevin McClean Mr Peter McKenna
SciFest
Hugh Hardiman Director of Public Affairs, Intel Ireland
SciFest Senior Inspector, Department of Education and Skills R&D Engineer, Boston Scientific
is supported by The Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry
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