Celebrating 10 Years as a National Science Fair Programme
The SciFest national science fair programme is Ireland’ s largest precollege science, technology, engineering and maths( STEM) competition. The aim of the programme is 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. Entry is free and open to all second-level students, thus promoting diversity and making participation highly inclusive and accessible.
In 2016 more than 8,000 second-level students presented projects at local SciFest @ School and regional SciFest @ College science fairs. A number of award winners from the 16 regional fairs went on to compete at a national final which was held in Dublin in November. Winners from this fair will represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair( ISEF) in Los Angeles in May and the International Environment & Sustainability Project Olympiad( INESPO) in Amsterdam in June.
SciFest is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2017. At each of the regional SciFest @ College science fairs a specially commissioned trophy will be presented to mark this fantastic achievement. SciFest is greatly honoured to have President Michael D Higgins as the project’ s sole Patron and are delighted to announce that SciFest has now become an official Gaisce- The President’ s Award Challenge Partner. In 2017 students can use their participation in SciFest to count towards any level of Gaisce providing it meets the relevant time requirements and a record sheet is maintained and signed off.
SciFest at all levels offers all students an opportunity to exchange ideas, broaden their knowledge, meet mentors, make new friends and seriously consider a career in STEM. The 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.
SciFest could not take place without the support of our partners, Science Foundation Ireland, Intel, Boston Scientific, the Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’ s College, Derry. We would like to thank them, and all our sponsors, for their continued support. The closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest @ College 2017 is 10 March.
Find out more about SciFest at www. scifest. ie e: info @ scifest. ie m: 086 379 6143 56