SCIFEST EZINE February 2019
Volume 10, Number 3
“SciFest is a fantastic competition. As a Government we are committed to promoting young people’s involvement in this area. An event like SciFest gets young people engaged in STEM subjects and in research and innovation. It drives interest and gives them a great opportunity to explore ideas and develop their skills outside their studies. The support and inspiration that teachers and parents offer is also really important. I also want to thank the third level institutes for hosting events and I would like to congratulate everyone else who gets involved, as well as the team from SciFest that makes it all happen.” Joe McHugh TD, Minister for Education and Skills SciFest 2019 Launch
Launch of SciFest 2019 Students with an interest in STEM are called on to enter the largest and most inclusive second-level STEM fair in Ireland The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, called on sec-
In This Issue
Pg
SciFest is free to enter
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Boston Scientific
3
ond-level students across the island of Ireland to put their skills in sci-
SciFest 2019 - new awards
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ence, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to the test as he as-
Why are so many schools participating in SciFest?
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Specsavers
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Intel Ireland
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Resources
5
Gaisce
5
Science Foundation Ireland
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SciFest@Teen-Turn
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60,000 students have participated in the competition, which represents
SciFest STEM School Award
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an average year on year increase of 23% in participation. SciFest is
Tony and Aidan’s award-winning project
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Discover Space Awards
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SciFest@College 2019 Dates
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Contact details and sponsors
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sisted SciFest’s call for entries for its 12th annual SciFest@College competition. The launch took place in the TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus on 6 February. SciFest is the largest and most inclusive second-level STEM fair initiative on the island of Ireland. Since launching in 2008 over
funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Boston Scientific, Intel Ireland and Specsavers.
Speaking at the launch of SciFest 2019 at the Technological University in Dublin, Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO said: “SciFest has
now been running for 11 years and 2019 will mark our 12th year of the competition. I couldn’t be happier at what the competition has become and just how many secondlevel students are now showcasing their interest in STEM. Last year over 10,000 students participated across the country and I look forward to seeing how much the competition grows this year.”
SciFest is free to enter and open to all second-level students SciFest aims to give students of all abilities and back-
national Programme, part of which includes attendance at
grounds the opportunity to develop research, problem
the Intel ISEF 2019. The inaugural award was won by
solving, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Éabha Kenny, from Scoil Muire gan Smál, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town, Roscommon. Éabha will be
In SciFest, second-level students showcase STEM projects
one of 28 delegates representing 25 countries in May.
at a series of one-day STEM fairs held locally in schools and regionally at 16 venues in the Institutes of Technolo-
A third travel award was presented at the 2018 National
gy, TU Dublin (3 venues), DCU and St. Mary’s College,
Final, the Berlin Long Night of Science Award. Odhran
Derry. The winners from each regional STEM fair will go
Brady from the Salesian College, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
on to compete at a national final in November 2019. The
will be travelling to Berlin in June to attend the Berlin
winner(s) of the SciFest National Final 2019 will be pre-
Long Night of Science. The trip, which is supported by the
sented with a trophy and will represent Ireland at the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, includes a visit
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2020 in
to the Reichstag building, lunch in the Irish Embassy and
Anaheim, California.
a meeting with German students who were prizewinners and participants in Germany’s youth science prize Jugend
Last year’s overall national final winner was Adam Kelly, a
Forscht.
fifth-year student from Skerries Community College, for his open source solution to simulating quantum compu-
SciFest is free to enter. It is an enjoyable way to meet
ting. Adam will represent Ireland at ISEF 2019 in Phoenix,
other like-minded students, visit a third-level college and
Arizona later this year.
learn about the wide range of STEM careers available.
Adam was one of 63 students who went on to exhibit 37
Students wishing to present a project at SciFest@College
STEM projects at the national final. A new award, the
2019
Broadcom MASTERS Award, was introduced in 2018. This
(www.scifest.ie) and enter online.
should
log
on
to
the
SciFest
website
award saw five junior cycle students, ranging in age from 12 to 14, compete at the 2018 national final for the op-
Completed entries must be submitted by Friday 8
portunity to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS Inter-
March 2019. 2
SciFest 2019 NEW AWARDS Second-level students participating in SciFest@College STEM fairs have the opportunity to compete for a wide range of awards and prizes at each of the 16 regional Richard O’Sullivan, Boston Scientific ,at the launch of SciFest 2019
Speaking at the launch of SciFest 2019 Richard O’Sullivan (R&D Director) from Boston Scientific said:
“SciFest is a celebration of all things science, technology and engineering. This competition allows the students to put their knowledge in these areas to the test and we are so happy to support a programme that encourages students to push boundaries in the classroom. We look forward to seeing what research is produced this year. Best of luck to all entrants.”
SciFest@College fairs.
NEW AWARDS — SciFest@College 2019 • Specsavers Making a Difference Award •
Institute of Physics Award
OTHER AWARDS TO DATE • • • • • • • •
• • • •
SFI Best Project Award Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award Intel Award (Best Technology Project) Environmental Award Newstalk Best Communicator Award Chemistry Award RSC School Chemistry Award (Royal Society of Chemistry Republic of Ireland Section) [School Award] Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) Discover Space Teacher Award Maths in Science Award Irish Science Teachers' Association Award
Special prizes, category prizes, and/or highly commended prizes are also available at most venues and some also present trophies sponsored by the relevant college or local organisations. Nicole Marinos, Christ King Girls' Secondary School, South Douglas Road, Cork, winner of the Boston Scientific 2018 Grand Award at the SciFest 2018 National Final.
Note: An award may not be presented if, in the opinion of the judges, no project meeting the criteria for the particular award is of sufficient standard to merit the award.
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WHY ARE SO MANY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN SCIFEST?
SciFest
is
delighted
to
welcome
Specsavers on board as a project partner Speaking at the Launch of SciFest 2019 Andrea Barrow, Emerging Talent Manager from Specsavers said,:
“Specsavers is delighted to be partnering with SciFest in their mission to encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths for all second-level students across the country. SciFest is an incredible programme that encourages students’ passion for science. This year we’re excited to announce our new category, The Specsavers Making a Difference Award, which encourages students to think about a project that will made a difference to someone’s day to day life. We wish all the entrants the best of luck and look forward to seeing their projects.”
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Seamus Breslin, Specsavers, at the launch of SciFest 2019
INTEL CONTINUES TO SUPPORT SCIFEST AS A PROJECT PARTNER Intel Ireland sponsored the Best Project Award at the first ever SciFest which was held in IT Tallaght in 2006 and have continued to support the programme to the present day. Hugh Hardiman, Director of Public Affair at Intel Ireland attended the SciFest 2019 launch. Speaking at the launch he said: “Intel Ireland is
delighted to once again support Scifest 2019, as we believe that the programme provides an important platform for young people right across Ireland to engage in scientific learning in an exciting and practical way. Participation at SciFest events encourages students to develop skills such as communication, creativity, problem solving and teamwork, that will be invaluable to them in our rapidly changing society, both now and in the future.”
Resources There are lots of downloadable support materials on the SciFest website. Resources include: ☺ A ‘Science by Inquiry’ module suitable for Junior Category projects ☺ ‘A Science by Inquiry’ module suitable for Transition Year ☺ Project Ideas ☺ Start small—10 steps to a successful SciFest@School STEM fair ☺ Choosing an idea and getting started ☺ Impressing the judges ☺ Tips for exhibiting at SciFest ☺ Report book and presentation ☺ Sample rubrics ☺ SciFest@College—Teacher and Student Guidelines ☺ Student activities—crosswords, etc. ☺ PowerPoint presentations ☺ Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award presentation ☺ Videos ☺ SciFest@College 2019 entry forms and guidelines ☺ SciFest@School registration form
The website is also linked to the SciFest YouTube channel, SciFest Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yudu and Flickr. It is important to check the SciFest website regularly for updates.
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Hugh Hardiman, Intel Ireland, at the launch of SciFest 2019
SciFest@Teen-Turn
Science Foundation Ireland have been supporting the SciFest programme since it was launched nationwide in 2008. Margie McCarthy, Interim Director, Innovation and Education Directorate, Science Foundation Ireland, commented on the SciFest programme at the launch of SciFest 2019:
The year ended with another addition to the SciFest programme, SciFest@Teen-Turn. This took place in the Digital Exchange, Dublin 8. Twenty-one students representing nine DEIS schools from Limerick, Cork and Dublin presented eleven projects. The projects were varied and covered a wide range of topics. The judges found it difficult to select the winners.
“SciFest is a terrific initiative that enables over 10,000 school students to grow their knowledge and passion for STEM. Science Foundation Ireland are delighted to support this nationwide initiative since its inception through our SFI Discover Programme, which is working to make science accessible to all and highlights the importance of scientific inquiry. We are delighted to see SciFest grow year on year and hope that 2019 is another hugely successful year for them.”
Teen-Turn aims to influence course decision-making processes, inform participants on education and career options, and combat stereotypes by strategically changing how girls identify with technology career environments through work placements and after school activities. SciFest was delighted to collaborate with Teen-Turn. Through SciFest girls are given an equal opportunity to participate in a local, stereotype-free nonthreatening environment. Gradually a bank of positive female role models and potential mentors is being built up. These alumnae will serve to inspire and motivate second-level students. The support and mentorship of the alumnae and the continued success of girls at SciFest can make a major contribution to developing girls’ confidence and interest in STEM. This in turn will help change attitudes and encourage more girls to pursue the STEM subjects into third level and as a possible career choice.
Margie McCarthy presenting Adam Kelly, Skerries Community College, with the SFI Intel ISEF Award at the SciFest 2018 National Final
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Congratulations to the following schools which have qualified for the SciFest STEM School Award (December to date) Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork Newpark Comprehensive, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Kishoge Community College, Lucan, Co. Dublin Kishoge Community College
Tony and Aidan’s Award-Winning SciFest Project On Friday the 9th of November we were given the opportunity to represent ourselves, our school and our region at the SciFest National Final in Marino College, Dublin. This event represented a culmination of years of work. We were extremely excited to present our project, Applications of Queuing Theory to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. This project provides a mathematical model that can help optimise resource management and reduce waiting lists in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services system (CAHMS). It accomplishes this by simulating the results of potential policy changes which could affect the queue times. In order to build this model we first used queuing theory equations and then simulated with software to refine results. This system has many complexities grounded in the social sciences so using our combined fields of expertise we accounted for these in order to ensure that our model is as accurate as possible. We collected our data from reports that detailed the waiting lists for CAMHS and the breakdown of the time frame involved with waiting for access for those on the list. Our model suggests effective and practical solutions for example, it has shown that switching to a least utilization appointment system could reduce queue length by more than 80% without any additional costs. This approach is practical and highly suitable for use by policy makers in all fields to improve decision making and ultimately the care given to those who need it. Even when only very limited sets of information were used the results outputted closely assimilated the real data. The margin of error was within 1.4% even when it was only provided with one data set and the simulation is within another 0.1% of that. We succeeded in applying this model to 100% of the cases which we tested. On the day we won Technological Higher Education Association award. SciFest has provided us both with such an amazing chance to produce work which we believe can have real, positive and important effect on society. We go forward with our work now with the aim to approach policy makers with so that we can ensure it is implemented. We hope that we can make a positive impact on the lives of people in our society and we are extremely grateful to SciFest for putting us in this position. Tony O’Halloran and Aidan Mamo Cooney, Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cork SFI Best Project Award winners, SciFest@CIT 2018 and THEA Award winners, SciFest National Final 2018
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Discover Space Awards
Contact Us
At each of the 16 regional SciFest@College 2019 venues a
e: info@scifest.ie
Discover Space Award will be presented to the project which best uses Space as a theme in science, technology, engineering or maths. The award is sponsored by the European Space
m: 086 379 6143
Education Resource Office Ireland (ESERO Ireland).
w: www.scifest.ie Please check the website
Resources for the Discover Space Award
regularly for updates
Space education information and resources are available from www.esero.ie Sample project ideas with a space theme may be found on the SciFest website here Additional ideas may be found on the Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) website SciFest is currently collaborating with BCO to produce additional space project examples.
Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2019 is:
A list of some of the best astronomy and space sites may be found here
Friday 8 March 2019
PLEASE CHECK THE SCIFEST WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR UPDATES Dates and venues for SciFest@College 2019 TU Dublin Kevin St
5 Apr
TU Dublin – Tallaght
2 May
Cork IT
5 Apr
DCU
3 May
SciFest@NorthWest (NI)
8 Apr
Dundalk IT
7 May
Athlone IT
12 Apr
IT Sligo
8 May
Limerick IT Moylish
30 Apr
TU Dublin Blancharstown
8 May
Waterford IT
1 May
IT Tralee
8 May
Galway-Mayo IT
2 May
Letterkenny IT
16 May
Limerick IT Thurles
2 May
IT Carlow
23 May
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