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.
In order for us to support your SciFest@School event it's important that you complete a registration form.
Don't yet have all the details to complete the form but would like to register your interest in running a SciFest@School fair? Please click here to download a SciFest@School registration form.
Simply contact us or email us directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your planned date. Having your date in our calendar helps us to organise a judge to attend on the day.
The following schools will be hosting in-house SciFest@School STEM fairs during the school year 2022/23. This list will be updated throughout the year.
| School | Date | |
| 1. | St. Raphaela's Secondary School, St. Raphaela’s Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin | 09/11/22 |
| 2. | Gorey Educate Together Secondary School, Gorey, Co. Wexford | 11/11/22 |
| 3. | Vocational School, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim | 11/11/22 |
| 4. | Adamstown Community College, Station Rd, Adamstown, Co. Dublin | 17/11/22 |
SciFest@School is where a second-level school hosts their own in-house SciFest STEM fair. A list of the fairs registered for the current school year 2022/2023 may be viewed. 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 awards for winning projects, 'freebies' and support on the day of the event.
SciFest will provide up to 5 awards. For details about these awards please click SciFest@School Award When a SciFest representative attends the fair they will bring these awards with them.
When there is no SciFest representative at the fair a school can submit details of the awards made and these will be posted to the school. To download a copy of the awards claim form please click here.
SciFest@School STEM fairs can be held at any time during the school year. However, you should hold your fair before 10 March if you wish to use your SciFest@School fair to select projects to go forward to SciFest@College 2023. 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.
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. For 'A Beginner's Guide to Doing a Science Project' please click here.
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 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.
Please Click for SciFest@School Registration Form. For details of how we use your data please view our privacy notice.
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.
This award recognises schools for their support for STEM through hosting five (Silver Award) or ten (Gold Award) SciFest@School STEM fairs. For more information on this award please click here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
The ESCI (Education Support Centres Ireland website lists all available courses and events from Education Support Centres nationwide.
