Volume 15, Number 3, February 2024
SCIFEST EZINE SciFest Launches 2024 Programme With a Call for Entrants to Regional Competition At SciFest we are delighted to announce the launch of SciFest 2024 with a call for entries into the regional SciFest@College fairs. SciFest, now in its 19th year, continues to be the go-to platform for budding young scientists and innovators across the nation. With over 12,000 students participating annually, SciFest is where every young person's potential takes centre stage. The launch took place in Oatlands College in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Attendees at the launch were treated to a display of STEM projects from Oatlands College and nearby St Raphaela’s Secondary School. Speaking at the launch Sheila Porter, Founder and CEO of SciFest said, “We are thrilled to announce the return of SciFest for its 19th consecutive year, marking nearly two decades of fostering innovation and passion for STEM among Irish students. Our aim is not just to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators but to equip them with the critical skills needed in research, problem-solving, and communication. We welcome entries from a wide array of scientific disciplines, encouraging students to explore their interests and curiosity in the sciences. We are not just celebrating science; we are preparing our students to be global leaders in innovation. We look forward to seeing the creative and impactful projects our students will bring to the 2024 competition.”
In This Issue: Launch of SciFest 2024
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SciFest@College 2024
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Information for teachers and students SciFest@College awards
Lorem ipsum dolor 4 sit amet, SciFest@School consectetur teachers’ packs adipiscing elit. Donec varius ac5 SciFest Resources ante quis SciFest STEM Schooltempor. Aenean eleifend sed Awards elit id fringilla.5 SciFest Contact Details Donec enim mauris. 6 SciFest@School 2023/2024
SciFest DEIS School Programme Report
www.scifest.ie
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LAUNCH OF SCIFEST 2024 NEWSLETTER
Students from Oatlands College and St Raphaela’s Secondary School at the launch of SciFest 2024
Students from Oatlands College presenting their project to Tracey Nolan, Strategic Planning Manager, Public Affairs, Intel at the launch of SciFest 2024
Speaking at the launch Dr Avril Gaynor, Oatlands September 2030 College. said: “We are immensely proud to be Edition #30 launching SciFest 2024 at Oatlands College this morning. The competition continues to play a crucial role in STEM education by offering a unique platform for students to showcase their talents, creativity, and passion for the subjects. By participating in SciFest, our students are not only preparing themselves for future careers in STEM but are also contributing to Ireland's reputation as a hub of innovation and research excellence on the international stage.”
Students from St Raphaela’s Secondary School presenting their project to Doireann Barry, Head of Strategy & Sustainability, EirGrid at the launch of SciFest 2024
Students from Oatlands College presenting their project to Kevin Byrne, Engineering Manager, Boston Scientific at the launch of SciFest 2024
APARTMENT, MADRID Guests at the launch included; Tracey Nolan, Intel Ireland, Kevin Byrne, Boston Scientific and Doireann Barry, EirGrid. Doireann Barry commented, “Leading on sustainability and decarbonisation is central to our strategy. I’m delighted to attend today’s launch of SciFest’s Programme for 2024 as EirGrid continues to develop our partnership with SciFest. We are proud to support the promotion of STEM subjects as the next generation is inspired to seek solutions to climate change and the energy transition.”
The regional SciFest@College STEM fairs take place in 16 regional venues in April/May. Winners from each fair will go on to compete at the National Final in November 2024. The winner(s) of the SciFest National Final 2024 will be presented with a trophy and the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio next year.
SciFest 2023 National Finalists In centre: Jack Shannon, SciFest STEM Champion 2023. Jack, from Clongowes Wood College, will travel to Los Angeles in May with his teacher Yvonne Nolan to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2024.
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SciFest@College 2024 Information for Teachers and Students SciFest@College is open to all second-level students born after 1 May 2005 and attending school or being home-schooled in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. Dates and contact details for the SciFest@College 2024 fairs are now available. Entry forms for SciFest@College 2024 are now available. Please read Information for Teachers and Students and the Guidelines for teachers and students before completing the entry form.
The closing date for receipt
SciFest@College is completely
of completed entry forms
free to enter and there is a
for SciFest@College 2024
range of awards available at
is
each of the
Friday 8 March 2024.
SciFest@College venues.
SciFest@College Awards
BEST PROJECT AWARD INTEL TECHNOLOGY SciFest2023@TU Dublin AWARD Grangegorman SciFest2023@DCU
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICES AWARD SciFest2023@TUS Limerick
EIRGRID CLEANER CLIMATE AWARD SciFest2023@TATU Sligo
Students participating in SciFest@College STEM fairs have the opportunity to compete for a wide range of awards and prizes. Please click here for a list of the major awards which are currently available at each of the regional SciFest@College 2024 venues.
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SCIFEST@SCHOOL 2023/2024 Over 125 schools have registered to host their own in-house SciFest@School STEM fairs for this academic year so far, with many more to follow. Click here to
watch
a
brief
video
of
our
recent
SciFest@School fair at Edmund Rice College in Dublin
15.
See
the
full
updated
list
of
SciFest@School fairs here.
SciFest@School, Enniscorty Community College, Co. Wexford
SciFest@School, Ardscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
SciFest@School, The King’s Hospital School, Co. Dublin
SCIFEST@SCHOOL TEACHERS’ PACKS We are delighted to announce that, thanks to support from the ESB Energy for Generations Fund, our two booklets, ‘A Guide to Doing a SciFest Project’ and ‘STEM by Inquiry - A Transition Year Module’, have both been updated and reprinted. A school that registers for a SciFest@School fair in 2023/2024 will receive copies of the two booklets in the form of a teacher’s pack. Both of these booklets can be downloaded from the SciFest website. Teachers who hosted their SciFest@School before Christmas will be receiving their teacher’s pack in the post in the next
SciFest@School Teacher’s Pack
couple of weeks.
to host a SciFest@School STEM Fair
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SCIFEST RESOURCES In addition to the two booklets mentioned on the previous page there are lots of invaluable resources available on the SciFest website. These include:
Fest@Scho Sci wards ol A
A Teacher’s Guide to Organising a SciFest@School Fair
Sc iF
rn Tu
A Teachers Guide and Resource Manual: Conducting 2023/202 Psychological Research for Science Fairs hool 4T Sc ee @ t ns e Guidelines for Judging at SciFest@School How to write your project Report Book How to design your project poster How to impress the SciFest judges Project Ideas for students
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award Project Ideas EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award Project Ideas SciFest Project Ideas
to Coláiste Pobail Setanta who were awarded a Silver SciFest STEM School Award in recognition of their support for STEM through hosting five SciFest@School STEM fairs. Clare Atkinson, Senior SciFest School Liaison Officer presented the award to School Principal, Liam Walsh and teacher, Laura Kelly at their recent SciFest@School fair. Congratulations to all involved. 261 students presented 81 projects on the day of the fair.
SciFest STEM School Awards To qualify for a SciFest STEM School Award a school must be registered with SciFest and have hosted five SciFest@School STEM fairs (Silver Award) and ten SciFest@School STEM fairs (Gold Award). 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 an award will receive a framed certificate and an official SciFest STEM School Award digital badge which can be posted on the school website..
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Sheila Porter, CEO and Founder The George Porter, CFO SciFest Hugo Rowsome, Project Manager Team Clare Atkinson, Senior School Liaison Officer Contact Details: Email: info@scifest.ie Mobile: 0863796143 Website: www.scifest.ie
SCIFEST DEIS SCHOOL PROGRAMME UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024
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