Scifest

Introduction

SciFest’s main object is: To promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education through the provision of a forum for students at local/regional/national level to present and display their scientific investigations.

The SciFest programme consists of a series of one-day STEM fairs for second-level students. The aim of the programme is to encourage an interest in, and love of, the STEM subjects. The programme is designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. Established in 2006 the programme is now implemented at four distinct levels.

Level 1. Local – SciFest@School>

SciFest@School is where second-level schools host their own in-house SciFest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) fair. Support for the event is provided by SciFest in the form of a SciFest STEM Fair Toolkit, resources and BKMs on the SciFest website. Support for judging, certificates and a number of prizes for participating students and promotional materials are also provided. This strand was introduced in 2011 and there has been strong demand from schools to participate. From just 5 schools in 2011 the number of schools engaged with the programme in 2019/2020 increased to 108. This level also includes a SciFest fair in the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) and in the Digital Hub for Teen-Turn students.

Level 2. Regional – SciFest@College>

The Institutes of Technology, TU Dublin, MTU, DCU and St Mary's College, Derry host one-day SciFest STEM fairs which are open to all second-level students. A SciFest fair consists of a competition and exhibition of projects, a prize-giving ceremony, and may also include a selection of science talks, science demonstrations in the college laboratories and advice on careers in STEM and courses available in the college. SciFest@College affords students the opportunity to visit a third-level college, view the facilities and get information on the various STEM courses available. The fact that the event is regionally based and has open and free entry means that SciFest is both accessible and inclusive. The project also has a cross-border aspect as St Mary's College in Derry also hosts a SciFest fair.

Level 3. SciFest National Final

Winning projects from each SciFest@College STEM fair are invited to participate in a national SciFest STEM fair. The projects are evaluated by an expert panel of judges from academia, enterprise and government. Each of the exhibitors is presented with an Excellence in STEM award in recognition of their success at the regional fairs and the overall winners represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which is held annually in May in the USA. A selection of the winners of the regional Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award also participate in the National Final.

Level 4. SciFest International

SciFest participated in the Intel (now sponsored by Regeneron) International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for the first time in May 2012. ISEF is a one-week science fair, held annually in the USA since 1950, at which some 1800 students from over 420 affiliated science fairs in approximately 75 countries, regions and territories compete for a range of prizes. The projects are judged by a 1000-strong panel of highly-qualified judges. In the nine years in which SciFest has participated in ISEF our students have won a total of 13 major awards.

The Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) International programme is an experiential award for top delegates from middle science fairs around the world. Participating in the Broadcom MASTERS entitles SciFest to select one junior student to be a Broadcom MASTERS International delegate. This delegate travels with SciFest’s official party attending the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA. The Broadcom MASTERS International programmeincludes delegates representing approximately 25 countries andconsists of a series of educational activities, including a visit to the ISEF competition.

Winners from the National Final also attend the Long Night of Science in Berlin and represent Ireland in the Hong Kong’s Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl (GYSTB). In the two years in which SciFest has participated in GYSTB our students have won a total of 6 major awards including a top Gold Medal Award.

SciFest@School Information for Teachers

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Note. Information on this page relates to SciFest@School STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fairs only, that is, in-house STEM fairs hosted by the schools themselves. For information on SciFest@College fairs, which are regional fairs for second-level students hosted by third level colleges, please follow this //scifest.ie/Page/SciFest@College-Information-for-Teachers/3624/Index.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255); background-color: transparent;">link.

SciFest@School and COVID-19

We are continuing to provide the usual supports as outlined below in the current school year with the exception, for the moment, of visits to the school by external judges; we hope to resume school visits as soon as possible.The attached document details how we are working with schools hosting SciFest@School fairs while recognising the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19. Please click SciFest@School 2020_2021.pdf" href="https://scifest.ie/Content/2021/9/pb50-SciFestSchool_2021_2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255); background-color: transparent;">here to download the document. If you have any questions please contact us or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What is SciFest@School?>

SciFest@School is where a second-level school hosts their own in-house SciFest STEM fair. When schools closed in March last year 108 SciFest@School STEM fairs were registered for the school year 2019/2020. A list of the fairs may be viewed //scifest.ie/Page/SciFest@School-Fairs-201920/9148/Index.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255); background-color: transparent;">here. Resource materials to support the organisation of a SciFest@School fair are available in the //scifest.ie/Page/Scifest@School-Resources/3685/Index.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255); background-color: transparent;">resources section of this website. In addition to the resource materials support from SciFest is also available in the form of advice on the organisation of a SciFest@School STEM fair, a teacher's pack, certificates for participating students, a number of prizes for winning projects, 'freebies' and support on the day of the event - contact us for details.

When Should I Hold My SciFest@School?>

SciFest@School STEM fairs can be held at any time during the school year. However, you should hold your fair before 11 March if you wish to use your SciFest@School fair to select projects to go forward to SciFest@College 2022. While participating in a SciFest@School fair is good preparation for participating in a SciFest@College fair it is not a requirement; students may enter a SciFest@College fair directly without having participated in a SciFest@School fair.

SciFest@School and the CBAs

Students who have developed a SciFest project should have little difficulty in completing an Extended Experimental Investigation - CBA 1. The skills acquired in preparing a project for a SciFest@School fair are also those assessed in the CBA. Conversely, an Extended Experimental Investigation prepared for a CBA could, with additional work, be subsequently further expanded and developed into a project suitable for exhibiting at a SciFest@School fair.

SciFest@School and TY

Researching, developing and presenting a SciFest project can constitute an ideal module for a Transition Year programme - see Science by Inquiry Transition Year Module here.

SciFest@School and Gaisce - The President's Award

SciFest is a Gaisce Challenge Partner. Students participating in a SciFest STEM fair can use their participation as the Personal Skill element of their Gaisce Award. Those involved in organising SciFest events can use their activities to meet the Community Involvement element of their Gaisce Award. Please click here for further details.

SciFest@School Registration Form

Please SciFest@School Registration Form_2020_2021.xlsx" href="https://scifest.ie/Content/2021/8/zl94-1._SciFestSchool_Registration_Form_2021_2022.xlsx" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255); background-color: transparent;">click here to download a copy of the SciFest@School registration form. Tá leagan Gaeilge den foirm seo ar fáil anseo. For details of how we use your data please view our privacy notice.

SciFest@School Guidelines

Please click here to download a copy of the SciFest@School Guidelines. It is important that teachers familiarise themselves with the guidelines when organising a SciFest@School event. Tá leagan Gaeilge den doiciméad seo ar fáil anseo.

SciFest STEM School Award

This is a new award that recognises schools for their support for STEM through hosting five or more SciFest@School STEM fairs. For more information on this award please click here.

SciFest@School Experience

Schools that are hosting SciFest@School fairs in 2021/2022 are //scifest.ie/Page/SciFest@School-Fairs-202122/259684/Index.html" style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">listed here.

If you need further information or have any questions do not hesitate to contact or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..