SciFest Ezine, Volume 8, Number 3, February 2017

February 2017 Volume 8 Number 3

SciFest Ezine 10th annual SciFest officially launches for 2017 On 1 February the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD officially launched the 10th annual SciFest from St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Killester, Dublin and called on second-level students from across Ireland to

Inside this issue

demonstrate their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills.

Since its inception in 2008, over 40,000 students have participated in the competition, which represents a year on year increase of 23% in participation.

Supported mainly by Science Foundation Ireland, Boston Scientific and Intel the aim of SciFest is to give students of all abilities the opportunity to develop research, problem solving, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Students from St Mary’s Holy Faith, Killester at the launch of SciFest 2017

www.scifest.ie

SciFest Celebrates 10 Years of Science for All

2

SciFest@College 2017

2

SciFest@College 2017 Awards

3

SciFest@College 2017 Resources

3

SciFest@School 2017 Roll of Honour

4

Meeting Deadlines

5

Project Timetable

5

Sponsors

6

Contacts

6

SciFest Celebrates 10 Years of Science for All The SciFest programme provides an opportunity for all students to achieve at a level commensurate with their ability and interest. Participation in SciFest builds self-confidence, improves communication and presentation skills and encourages the student to think in a critical and independent manner.

Students select their own problem to solve, usually something they are passionate about.

Inaugural SciFest @ITT in 2006

SciFest participation involves real discovery for the majority of students and an

indescribable sense of personal achievement. Most importantly SciFest helps promote a positive attitude to STEM and encourages the necessary skills and confidence to take STEM at senior cycle level.

Students who participate in SciFest are then more likely to leave school equipped with the necessary skills for solving real world problems such as food, water and energy shortages. Addressing such global concerns will create and drive the jobs and skills needs of the future.

‘SciFest has been a hugely enriching and positive experience for the entire school community at St. Mary’s. It provides an excellent opportunity to get the students actively involved in Science in a fun and engaging way as well as facilitating students and teachers to work collaboratively to develop valuable key skills. For an all-girls school focusing on the promotion of Science, the SciFest experience is a critical support. The joy of seeing students showcasing their work and communicating their ideas to others is immensely encouraging and motivational for everyone involved.’

Ms. Evelyn McLoughlin, Principal, St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, Dublin 5

SciFest @College 2017 SciFest@College STEM fairs are open to all second-level students and take place at 16 regional venues – the 14 Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry – each year between March and June. The fairs are free to enter and there are lots of awards to be won at each venue.

SciFest@College 2017— Science fair dates and venues Institute of Technology/ Venue

Date 2017

Institute of Technology/ Venue

Date 2017

Cork

31 March

Blanchardstown

3 May

DIT Kevin St.

6 April

DCU

5 May

Athlone

26 April

Tralee

9 May

Dundalk

26 April

Tallaght

9 May

Carlow

27 April

Sligo

9 May

Limerick

27 April

Galway-Mayo

11 May

Waterford

3 May

Letterkenny

12 May

LIT Thurles

3 May

NorthWest (NI), St Mary's College

TBD

The closing date for entries to SciFest@College 2017 is Friday 10 March 2017.

(Except in the case of SciFest@NorthWest in St Mary's College, Derry, where the entry date is Friday 12 May 2017.)

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Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills speaking at the Launch of SciFest 2017

____________ “It is a pleasure to launch SciFest

2017, here at St Mary’s Secondary School in Killester. SciFest is now in its 10th year and I wish to congratulate all the organisers, the Institutes of Technology and DCU, and indeed the participating Engraved Dublin Crystal trophies are presented at each of the 16 regional SciFest@College venues

schools and teachers on reaching

SciFest@College 2017 Awards

this important milestone.

For the generation of children

The following awards will be available at each SciFest@College 2017 science fair. A number of local awards are presented each year by the Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry.

currently in school and about to enter it, creative thinking and

Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award

Trophy + One4All tokens

Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award

Trophy + One4All tokens

Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award

Trophy +One4All tokens

Intel Award (Best Physical Science or Technology Project)

Trophy + One4All tokens

SciFest 10th Anniversary Award

Trophy+ One4All tokens

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Sustainable Energy Award

Trophy + One4All tokens

Newstalk Best Communicator Award

Trophy + One4All tokens

BioPharmaChem Ireland Chemistry Award

Trophy + One4All tokens

RSC School Chemistry Award (Education Division) Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) Discover Space Teacher Award

(School Award) (Student Award) (Teacher Award)

Maths in Science Award Irish Science Teachers' Association (ISTA) Award

Laboratory equipment Trophy Trophy + One4All tokens

(Student Award)

Trophy + One4All tokens

SciFest@College 2017 Resources There are lots of resources on the website to support students . These can be found in the SciFest STEM Fairs Toolkit and include:

      

problem-solving

skills will

be

absolutely key to how they develop and achieve their potential. In particular, their ability to think critically and develop solutions will be vital for their prospects in life.

SciFest plays an important role in instilling in our students that a STEM education can open many doors and by encouraging young people to develop a love of these subjects and to engage their passions outside the traditional

A PowerPoint presentation to explain what is meant by a medical device (by Boston Scientific) A PowerPoint presentation on sustainable energy projects (by SEAI) A TY Science by Inquiry module and a Beginners Guide to Doing a SciFest Project Choosing an idea for a project and getting started Report book and presentation Project Ideas, Impressing the Judges and Tips for Exhibiting at SciFest

And lots more Teachers should encourage their students to visit the website and check out these resources.

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School

Date

1.

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

30/09/2016

2.

St Aidan's Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co. Cavan

06/10/2016

3.

Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin

25/10/2016

4.

Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin 14

16/11/2016

5.

Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow

16/11/2016

6.

Maria Immaculata Community College (1) Dunmanway, Co. Cork

16/11/2016

7.

CBS Roscommon, Abbeytown, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

17/11/2016

8.

Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown, Co. Meath

17/11/2016

9.

Creagh College, Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford

18/11/2016

10.

Loreto Secondary School, St. Michael's, Navan, Co. Meath

18/11/2016

11.

St Paul's Community College, Browne's Road, Waterford City

18/11/2016

12.

Lanesboro Community College, Lanesboro, Co. Longford

21/11/2016

13.

Carrigaline Community School, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co Cork

01/12/2016

14.

Stratford College (Scratch Fair), Rathgar, Dublin 6

13/12/2016

15.

Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

14/12/2016

16.

St Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

TBC

17.

Loreto College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

19/01/2017

18.

Stratford College (Science Fair), Zion Rathgar, Dublin 6

19/01/2017

19.

Our Lady's School, Terenure, Dublin 6W

24/01/2017

20.

Castlepollard Community College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

25/01/2107

21.

Lusk Community College, Lusk, Co. Dublin

26/01/2017

22.

Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

31/01/2017

23.

Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, Dublin 15

01/02/2017

24.

St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry, Co. Offaly

02/02/2017

25.

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

02/02/2017

26.

Coláiste Chraobh Abhann, Creown, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow

03/02/2017

27.

St. Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

03/02/2017

28.

St Joseph's College, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co Tipperary

15/02/2017

29.

St. Raphaela's Secondary School, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin

15/02/2017

30.

Maria Immaculata Community College (2) Dunmanway, Co. Cork

15/02/2017

31.

32.

33.

Kishoge Community College, Lucan, Co. Dublin 16/02/2017 North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School, Bray, Co. Wicklow 17/02/2017 Wesley College, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16 28/02/2017

34.

Marist College, Retreat Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

01/03/2017

35.

St Leo’s College, Dublin Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

01/03/2017

36.

Presentation College, Terenure, Dublin 6W

01/03/2017

37.

Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15

02/03/2017

38.

Nenagh College, Nenagh Road, Co. Tipperary

02/03/2017

39.

St. Patrick's Secondary School Castleisland, Co Kerry

02/03/2017

40.

St. Brendan's College, Killarney, Co. Kerry

03/03/2017

41.

St Mary's Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, Dublin 5

03/03/2017

42.

St Wolstan's Community School, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

03/03/2017

43.

Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co Cork

03/03/2017

44.

Loreto Secondary School (TY Fair), St. Michael's, Navan, Co. Meath

07/03/2017

45.

Scoil Pól, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick

08/03/2017

46.

Scoil Chríost Rí, Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

08/03/2017

47.

King’s Hospital, Brooklawn, Dublin 20

09/03/2017

48.

Santa Sabina Dominican College, Sutton, Dublin 13

10/03/2017

49.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Shean Lower, Blarney, Co. Cork

10/03/2017

50.

Oaklands Community College, Edenderry, Co Offaly

16/03/2017

51.

Jesus and Mary College, Our Lady's Grove, Goatstown, Dublin 14

20/03/2017

52.

The Donahies Community School, Streamville Road, Dublin 13

29/03/2017

53.

Tullow Community School, The Mullawn, Tullow, Co. Carlow

31/03/2017

54.

Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois

04/04/2017

55.

Maria Immaculata Community College (3) Dunmanway, Co. Cork

10/05/2017

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SciFest@School 2017 Roll of Honour The current school year has been a busy one for SciFest. 52 schools have already either hosted or registered their dates for their SciFest@School. A number of other schools have also registered but have not yet submitted their dates.

Organizing a SciFest@School science fair may seem like a daunting task but it is definitely a rewarding one. On the day of the fair you will be amazed when you listen to your students talking to the judges and explaining the results of their investigations at just how much they have learned.

St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

St Raphaela’s Secondary school, Stillorgan Co. Dublin

Meeting Deadlines Doing a SciFest project gives students an opportunity to practise their time management skills. Planning ahead, being able to meet deadlines, and work in a team are important skills for the student to develop in order to lead a balanced life of work and play.

Students need guidance from the teacher and regular check-ups are necessary to ensure that the students are meeting their deadlines and not leaving everything to the last minute. It is a good idea to spend one class period making out a project timetable.

Project Timetable Project Title: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Entry forms due on

10 March Date of Science Fair

Science Fair Venue

Category: Please X the relevant boxes below the headings Individual Project

Group Project Junior

Student 1

Class

Intermediate Senior

Student 2

Class

Physical Sciences

Life Sciences

Student 3

Technology

Class

Name/s and Class: Deadlines—Tick the box on the right when each task is accomplished.

Task 1.

Notes

Date Due

Accomplished

Idea

2.

Research Record

3.

List of Equipment & Materials

4.

Hypothesis

5.

Entry Forms

7.

Investigation

8.

Results and Conclusions

9.

Bibliography and Acknowledgements

10.

Editing by Parent, Teacher, Peer…….

11.

Project Report Book

12.

Visual Display

13.

Exhibition

10 March

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SciFest SciFest 2017

Contact Us e: info@scifest.ie

10 Years of Science for All

m: 086 379 6143 w: www.scifest.ie

Free entry Inclusive

Please check the website regularly for updates

Accessible Open to all second-level students

Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2017 is: Friday 10 March 2017 (except in the case of SciFest@NorthWest (NI) St Mary's College, Derry, where the entry date is Friday 12 May 2017)

Local, Regional, National, International Closing date for receipt of entries to SciFest@College 2017 is 10 March Register for a SciFest@School anytime throughout the school year

Don't forget Students can use their participation in SciFest as the skill challenge of their Gaisce Award or, if helping you to organise the event, as their community involvement challenge.

Note also that you can avail of a free Smart Futures careers talk for your students.

See http://scifest.ie/free-stem-talks-for-schools-0.

Memory Lane

2008

2010 2011 2012

SciFest

is supported by The Institutes of Technology, DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry

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