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Where Creativity Meets Opportunity
The SciFest national science fair programme is Ireland’s
largest pre-college science, technology, engineering and
maths (STEM) competition. SciFest was set up to
encourage a love of STEM through active, collaborative,
inquiry-based learning and to give every young person,
whatever their background or circumstances, the
opportunity to achieve their potential in, and have an
enjoyable experience of, STEM. In 2016 more than 8000
second-level students from almost 265 schools presented
over 3500 projects. Since its launch nationwide in 2008 a
total of some 40,000 students have participated.
The SciFest programme consists of a series of one-day
science fairs which take place at local level in schools
(SciFest@School), regional level (SciFest@College hosted by
the 14 Institutes of Technology, Dublin City University and St
Mary's College, Derry) and national level (national final
competition for winners from each of the regional events).
Being locally and regionally based, open to all and free to
enter SciFest promotes diversity and is both highly inclusive
and accessible. The SciFest experience encourages the
development of skills such as intellectual curiosity, critical
thinking and problem solving, skills which are essential for a
successful and fulfilling life as a citizen of a knowledge
society. In collaboration with Science Foundation Ireland’s
Smart Futures programme talks and advice on careers in
STEM are available to all SciFest events.
SciFest is affiliated to two international science fairs: The
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)
in the USA and the International Environment & Sustainability Project Olympiad. (INESPO) in the
Netherlands. In the five years that SciFest has participated in Intel ISEF students representing
SciFest have won a total of seven major awards. SciFest affiliated to INESPO in 2015 and in that
year the students representing SciFest won a gold medal first place award. This year the SciFest
representative achieved a silver medal second place award.
SciFest partners with Science Foundation Ireland, Intel and Boston Scientific – along with a number
of other corporate, academic, government and science-focused organisations – who provide
support and sponsor awards.
SciFest@School fairs run throughout the academic year at times which suit the individual schools.
The SciFest@College fairs take place between March and June each year and the SciFest National
Final takes place each November in the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin.
Find out more about SciFest at www.scifest.ie
e: [email protected]
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m: 086 379 6143