All the best young scientific minds in Ireland are invited to enter SciFest 2016 and put their knowledge to the test. As well as pushing the boundaries of science, the national final winner(s) of SciFest 2016 will represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Now in its ninth year as a national project, SciFest is an all-inclusive, all-island science competition where second-level students showcase science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects at a series of one day science fairs held locally in schools and regionally in the 14 Institutes of Technology, DCU and St. Mary’s College, Derry. SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Intel and Boston Scientific. The winners from each regional science fair go on to compete at a national final in November 2016.

Speaking at the launch of the 2016 competition at the Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin Sheila Porter, SciFest CEO said: “2015 was a hugely successful year for SciFest, with a record number of students taking part. In total 7,200 students exhibited their projects in local and/or regional science fairs across the country. This year we intend to build on that success and have another record year. SciFest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry-based approaches to learning, while developing their creative and problem-solving skills and learning to work in a team.”

The SciFest 2015 national final winner was 5th year student Louis Madden, from Largy College, Clones, Co. Monaghan, for his project that looked at whether genetic testing and DNA research can be carried out simply, cheaply and efficiently. He will represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. Students wishing to follow in Louis’ footsteps can log on to the SciFest website (www.scifest.ie) and enter online or download a paper entry form. Completed entries must be submitted by Friday 11th March.

The aim of SciFest is to create a science fair experience that is inclusive, accessible and inspires excellence. It gives students of all abilities the opportunity to develop research skills and associated skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, presentation skills and teamwork. SciFest provides students with an opportunity to study the STEM subjects in an interesting, innovative and hands-on way.

Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister for Education and Skills said: “I am delighted to be here at the launch of SciFest 2016. As Ireland’s largest science competition for second level students, SciFest plays a vital role in encouraging and developing an interest in STEM among Irish students. Skills in science, technology, maths and engineering will be crucial in the future if Ireland wants to remain competitive and at the cutting edge of scientific development. I am sure that participants in SciFest 2016 will go on to make impressive contributions to STEM, both in Ireland and abroad.”

SciFest 2016 will be the second year of the prestigious Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award, which is presented at each of the 16 regional science fairs


To find out more, visit the scifest website.
Source: Press Release

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