SciFest Ezine, Volume 7, Number 4, May 2016

Volume 7, Number 4, May 2016

SciFest Ezine “I have had an incredible experience at Intel ISEF 2016, It was really brilliant to hear talks from world famous scientists and to see the projects that other students from around the world had submitted. It was great to spend a week exchanging ideas and discussing science. I’d like to thank all my family and friends who supported me and SciFest, that gave me this opportunity.”

Louis Madden May 2016

SciFest Student Top of the Class in International Science Fair!

SciFest national champion, Louis Madden, a fifth year student from Largy College, Clones, Co. Monaghan, won two major awards at Intel ISEF 2016 which was held in Phoenix, Arizona, May 8-13. Louis secured his place at Intel ISEF when he won the top award at the SciFest 2015 national final last November with his project that looked at whether genetic testing and DNA research can be carried out simply, cheaply and efficiently.

Intel ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, involving some 1,700 students from over 75 countries competing for a prize fund totalling $4million. SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Intel and Boston Scientific.

SciFest first participated in Intel ISEF in 2012 and Louis’ awards bring to seven the total number of awards won by SciFest students at this prestigious event.

Inside this issue

Louis Madden’s Award Winning Project………………….

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INESPO - Lúc de Barra………………….............................

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SciFest Welcomes Research Students from USC……….

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SciFest@School Roll of Excellence……………………………

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SciFest@College-16 Regional Venues………………………

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DCU Hosts First Ever SciFest@College........................

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SciFest 2016 - Supporting Girls to Do STEM……………

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SciFest National Final 2016………………………………………

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Partners and Sponsors…………………………………………….

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Contact Details……………………………………………………….

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Louis’ Award Winning Project Louis found that important genetic research was often limited by the cost of the necessary equipment.

He spent just under €150 on cheap and recycled material to build several pieces of laboratory equipment including a vortex, centrifuge, PCR, transilluminator, gel box with power supply and gel camera. Using this equipment, he isolated and amplified chloroplast DNA. Comparing his results with those of other tests of the same material he demonstrated that genetic testing could be done in a simpler, cheaper and more effective manner.

Louis’ Intel ISEF awards include a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to participate in a threeweek programme of interdisciplinary scientific research for high school students and researchers in Trento, Italy, organised by the Bruno Kessler Foundation.

‘For Louis to represent Ireland at ISEF and to win two awards over other students from all over the world is an impressive achievement not only for him, his teacher and school but for Ireland too, and it demonstrates clearly that there is a very high standard of science being taught in Irish schools.’

Congratulations Louis.

Sheila Porter, CEO, SciFest, May 2016

SciFest FACTS

40,000+ students have participated in

Lúc de Barra to Represent Ireland at INESPO Lúc de Barra from Coláiste Raithín in Bray, Co. Wicklow won the SEAI INESPO Award at the SciFest national final in November 2015 . This qualified him to represent Ireland at INESPO (International Environment and Sustainability Project Olympiad) in the Netherlands, 29 May to 3 June.

SciFest since it was launched nationwide in 2008

More than 8,000

Lúc’s project is entitled ‘Pinus Sylvestris Needles: A Sustainable Feedstock’. While pine needles proved unsuitable for biodiesel, Lúc identified distinct potential in the development of a sustainable aviation

students have

fuel and high performance fuel additives.

He also investigated the ecological and

participated in

economic implications.

SciFest 2016

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Lúc has worked hard on his project and we wish him luck in Utrecht.

SciFest Welcomes Research Students From USC

Above: Visiting SciFest@CIT

Eighteen American researchers from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, visited Ireland for ten days in April to study SciFest and the effect of STEM fairs on the teaching and learning of STEM in second-level schools in Ireland. They also looked at the effect of globalisation on STEM education in Ireland.

The lead researcher, Dr Michael Escalante, had met SciFest CEO Sheila Porter when she gave a talk at Intel ISEF in Los Angeles and suggested that SciFest would make an excellent case study for his students. In the course of their study the researchers visited some 18 schools, met with a wide range of stakeholders in the STEM education space including Intel, Abbott, Pfizer, Microsoft, IDA, NCCA, DES and JCT and interviewed Ministers Damien English and Seán Sherlock. They also attended one of the regional SciFest science fairs,

Meeting the Lord Mayor of Cork

SciFest@CIT. The SciFest executive organised receptions with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh (see photograph above on the steps of the Mansion House) and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Chris O'Leary.

‘Dr Michael Escalante, Lead Researcher with the research group from the University of Southern California, said, “We are in Ireland to study the effect of participating in science fairs, specifically SciFest, and globalisation, on STEM education. It has been really interesting to learn more about SciFest and the work that it does. It was also a privilege to meet with Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh and to discuss these issues with her. Policy makers and public leaders have an important role in promoting science, and Lord Mayor Ní Dhálaigh demonstrated her great interest in this area.”

Visiting Schools: Kishoge CC Lucan CC St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise

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SciFest@School

SciFest@School Goes From Strength to Strength

Roll of Excellence A record number of 57 SciFest@School in-house science fairs took place in the current school year 

St David's Holy Faith Secondary, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

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Loreto College, 53 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2

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Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin

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St Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

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Lanesboro Community College, Co. Longford

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Templemichael College, Co. Longford

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Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard, Co. Longford

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C.B.S. Roscommon, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon

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Loreto College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

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Mount Anville Secondary School Dublin 14

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St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

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Loreto Secondary School, St Michaels, Navan, Co Meath

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Creagh College, Gorey, Co. Wexford

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St Paul's Community College, Waterford, Co. Waterford

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Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

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Carrigaline Community School, Carrigaline, Co. Cork

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St. Mary's C.B.S., Portlaoise, Co. Laois

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Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

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Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork

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Killarney Community College, Killarney, Co. Kerry

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Coláiste Chraobh Abhann, Creowen, Co. Wicklow

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Killina Presentation S.S., Tullamore, Co. Offaly

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Wesley College, Ballinteer, Dublin 16

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Sandford Park School, Ranelagh, Dublin 6

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Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, Balbriggan, Co Dublin

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Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow

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Kishogue Community College, Clonburris, Lucan, Co Dublin

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St Brendan's College, Killarney, Co. Kerry

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Santa Sabina Dominican College, Sutton, Dublin 13

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The King's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20

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Rathdown School, Glenageary, Co. Dublin

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Scoil Pól, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick

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Nenagh College, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

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St Leo's College, Dublin Road, Carlow

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Tullamore College, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

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Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin 6

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St Wolstan's C.S., Clane Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare

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St Marys S.S., Brookwood Meadow, Killester, Dublin 5

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Castleknock College, Dublin 15

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St Farnan's Post-primary School, Prosperous, Co. Kildare

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Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

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The Donahies Community School, Dublin 13 Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Wicklow Town

Carrigaline Community School, Carrigaline, Co. Cork Fingal Community College, Swords, Co. Dublin

Santa Sabina, Sutton D 13

St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise

The SciFest@School strand of the SciFest programme was introduced in 2011.

The idea was to make sure that each and every student would be encouraged to ‘try’ science and experience the excitement of a science fair. Five schools hosted in-house SciFest@School science fairs in 2011. Word spread quickly and this year a total of 57 schools have hosted SciFest@School science fairs. Participation in the programme not only promotes a love of science in the school but can also to be a great way to involve parents, retired teachers, local industry and

past pupils in the exciting changes that are taking place in the teaching and learning of science.

A SciFest@School can be cross-curricular and reach out to other departments. In a SciFest@School in Lanesboro Community College in November the first year home economics students put together and served an excellent lunch of sandwiches, various salad dishes and home-made cakes to the judges. In Coláiste Chraobh Abhann TY art students designed a banner which stretched almost the full length of the exhibition hall. A SciFest@School provides an opportunity for TY students to practise their events management skills and act as mentors for younger students. In CBS Roscommon each year the TY students put on a super interactive science show for their first and second year students and for the pupils from the local primary schools.

For further information check out the SciFest website: SciFest@School

SciFest@College Takes Place at 16 Regional Venues

SciFest@School Roll of Excellence continued 

Jesus and Mary College, Goatstown, Dublin 14

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Ardscoil Mhuire, Mackney, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

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Stratford College, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6

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Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe, Co. Limerick

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The Donahies Community School, Dublin 13

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Our Lady's School, Terenure, Dublin 6W

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Castlepollard Community College, Co. Westmeath

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The High School, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6

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Temple Carrig S.S., Blacklion, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

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Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20

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St Mary's College, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

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Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

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Fingal Community College, Swords, Co. Dublin

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St Joseph's College, Thurles, Co Tipperary

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Holy Child Secondary School, Killiney, Co. Dublin

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Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin 5

By the end of June sixteen regional SciFest@College science fairs will have taken place in the current school year. Local SciFest@School science fairs take place anytime throughout the year but the regional ones generally take place from April to June. Fourteen of these are hosted by the Institutes of Technology, one by DCU and one by St Mary’s College in Derry. All of the fairs are now complete except St Mary ’s College in Derry which is on 22 June.

Online entry to SciFest@College was available to all venues for the first time this year after being piloted in two colleges last year. The rollout of the system was very smooth with only a few minor issues experienced; these will be addressed before next year. The option of paper entry was retained to cater for those who might not have access to the internet. Overall to date 90% of the entries were received online; entries to WIT were the exception where just 54% of entries were online. It is intended to retain paper entries for the time being.

Participation in SciFest helps students develop the skills sets essential for the next generation of creative problem solvers and entrepreneurs.

SciFest@College 2016 @ITB—Intel Award winners Akhil Pramod and Armand Bratulescu from Castleknock College, D 15

Each year the standard of projects exhibited gets better and better. The innovation and the creativity on display even at school level is a testament to the hard-work and dedication put in by the students and their teachers. SciFest proves that when students engage with STEM outside the classroom they bring their learning to a new level and produce amazing results.

For further information check out the SciFest website: SciFest@College

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DCU Hosts Their First Ever SciFest@College Almost 200 post-primary school students from 15 schools all over

Dublin took science to the next level with 91 projects at the inaugural SciFest@DCU in the Mahony Hall, Helix at Dublin City University on 6th May .

The Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award winners, Heather Murphy and Naoise Tobin were from Sutton Park School, Dublin 13. Their project on Sound Absorbing Paint, mentored by their teacher Catherine Tattersall, was inspired by a Junior Certificate Science Coursework B project on sound insulation.

“After doing a project on sound insulation for Coursework B of the Junior Certificate we noticed that a local popular cafe had problems with constructive sound interference which created uncomfortable sound levels for customers. We then wondered if we could develop a sound absorbing paint which could be applied to the shiny surfaces and reduce sound reflections and decibel levels.”

Heather Murphy and Naoise Tobin, May 2016

SciFest 2016 – Supporting Girls to do STEM Success today in the global marketplace depends on innovation, research and creativity. A career in STEM

promises some of the best business and job prospects on offer. Women however, are still significantly underrepresented in these areas.

Looking at the participation numbers and distribution of awards by gender in SciFest 2016 it becomes obvious that girls, when given the opportunity to participate in STEM, perform as well, or indeed better, than their male counterparts.

In SciFest girls are given an equal opportunity to participate in a local, stereotype-free non-threatening environment. Gradually a bank of positive female role models and potential mentors is being built up. These alumni will serve to inspire and motivate second-level students. Their support and mentorship and the continued success of girls at SciFest can make a major contribution to developing girls’ confidence and inter-

SciFest 2016 Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award winners, Kalin Foy and Ciara Coyle (@LIT), Katie Byrne (@ITB), Natasha Myers (@IT Tralee) and Katie Kinane and Ali Ryan (@LIT Thurles)

est in STEM. This in turn will help change attitudes and encourage more girls to pursue the STEM subjects into third level and as a possible career choice.

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SciFest National Final 2016

SciFest 2016

SciFest@GMIT 2016 Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award winners, Rory Gaffney, Seán Gallagher and Tiernan Walsh with Michael Walsh Boston Scientific (R&D), Galway

The Best Project Award winners from the SciFest@College 2016 regional science fairs will participate in a national final competition on 11 November 2016 in Dublin. This year the national final is being expanded to include the best of the runner-up projects from the regional fairs. The overall winner/s receive an all-expenses-paid trip along with their teacher to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA in May 2017.

The national final will also include included a competition for the winners of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Award and the Boston Scientific Award winners at the regional events. The winners of the SEAI award will represent Ireland at the International Environment and Sustainability Project Olympiad (INESPO) in the Netherlands in June 2017.

Each of the exhibitors at the national final is presented with an Excellence in STEM award in recognition of their success at the regional fairs.

‘I think the opportunity just to take part in this competition is amazing.

The chance to witness the presentations first hand and to go around and look at all the inspirational projects is brilliant. ” Student Quote SciFest Evaluation SciFest@GMIT 2016

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THANK YOU TO Contact Us e: sheila.porter@scifest.ie e: george.porter@scifest.ie m: 086 379 6143

 The students  The teachers  The judges

Please check the website regularly for updates

www.scifest.ie

 The partners

Have a lovely summer

 The sponsors  The regional coordinators  The judges  And all who supported SciFest 2016

SciFest 2016 is supported by

Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry