SciFest Ezine, SciFest 2023 National Final Special Edition, Volume 15, Number 2, December 2023

Volume 15

Number 2

December 2023

SCIFEST EZINE SciFest 2023 National Final Special Edition

SciFest STEM Champion 2023 Jack Shannon, a sixth year student from Clongowes Wood College was named SciFest STEM Champion 2023 at this year’s SciFest National Final, for his project ‘Ireland’s Carbon Sinks – Remote Sensing for Monitoring Peatland Restoration’. Jack will go on to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 in Los Angeles, California in May.

application of remote sensing techniques to monitor peatland restoration in Ireland. With a keen focus on two significant peatland sites, Clara bog and Keelbanada bog, Jack utilised multispectral, LiDAR, SAR and inSAR analyses to assess the progress and degradation of these vital ecosystems.

Jack captivated the judges with his project which involved the

SciFest Partners

Congratulations to Jack and to his teacher and mentor Yvonne Nolan.

In This Issue: SciFest 2023 National Final

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SciFest 2023 National Final Award Winners

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Breaking News

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SciFest@School 2023/2024 SciFest@College 2024 Women in STEM Award New DEIS School Liaison Officer SciFest 2023 Comments From Students and Teachers

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Jazz Pharmaceuticals Grant

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Contact Details

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Happy Christmas

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SciFest 2023 National Final The SciFest National Final took place on Friday 24 November in the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin and showcased the exceptional accomplishments in STEM of second-level students from across Ireland.

importance of the community of partners and sponsors that support SciFest, in particular SciFest’s partners: Intel, Boston Scientific and EirGrid.

We were thrilled to be able to share this special occasion with so many of you. For anyone who couldn't make the day, the National Final programme, along with the Awards Ceremony, student projects, STEM talks and much more continues to be available on a specially dedicated National Final website:

www.scifestfinal2023.ie Judges Omar Salem and O’Sullivan, SciFest Alumni

Oisín

The event was launched online the previous evening by Philip Smyth, Broadcaster and Science Communicator. Following that, there was a presentation on ‘How to Study Movement’ by Dr John S Butler from TU Dublin.

On Friday, there was an incredible atmosphere in the hall as students from every corner of Ireland set up their projects and shared their innovative ideas with judges, teachers, their peers and our guests.

The excitement built through the award ceremony as each participant received an Excellence in STEM Award. Fifteen special awards were presented, including the coveted SciFest STEM Champion 2023 Award.

Paula-Eve and Jack Culhane with their project ‘CPR Pedal Chest Compression Device Mark II’

As the end of the year is drawing near we would like to take this opportunity to thank the students, teachers, parents, judges, our partners and sponsors, the Regional Coordinators and all who helped make SciFest 2023 such a resounding success.

“It is with immense pride and anticipation that I extend my warmest greetings to all the finalists, organisers, and especially the young innovators of SciFest's National Final. As the Minister for Education, witnessing the growing interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among our youth is not just encouraging; it is a beacon of hope for the bright future of our country and the world.

This year, I know there has been a large number of entries into SciFest, each a testament to the curiosity, dedication, and ingenuity that thrives within our schools. To every student who has dared to question, to explore, and to innovate, you are the trailblazers in a world where the frontiers of knowledge expand with every technological advancement and scientific discovery.”

Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education

Richard Bruton, TD speaking at the Award Ceremony emphasised the

National Final Judges’ Meeting

The SciFest 2023 National Final Exhibition Hall, Marino Conference Centre, Dublin 2

SciFest 2023 National Final Award Winners

SciFest STEM Champion 2023

SciFest STEM Champion 2023 Award

Berlin Long Night of Science Award

Student: Jack Shannon School: Clongowes Wood College SJ Project: Ireland’s Carbon Sinks – Remote Sensing for Monitoring Peatland

Runner-Up Student: Yasmine Odugbesan School: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Students: Meabh O Sullivan, Sarah Harte School: Sacred Heart Secondary School, Convent of Mercy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork Project: Cycle4Charge

Restoration Teacher: Yvonne Nolan

Project: A Lycopene Based Sunscreen to Prevent Skin Damage Caused by UV Radiation Teacher:Eimear Nolan

Teacher: Claire Holland

Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award Students: Emma Greaney, Madison Brouder School: Desmond College, Station Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Project: Rehabilitation Nation Teacher: Donal Enright

EirGrid Cleaner Climate Grand Award Students: Rebecca Cullen, Freyja Cleary, Clementine van Steenberge School: Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey, Co. Dublin Project: Making Waves Teacher: David Cullen

Intel Technology Award Student: Kamaya Gogna School: St Joseph's Secondary School, Rush, Co. Dublin Project: Using Machine Learning to Identify Radiolucencies on Panoramic Dental Radiographs (OPGs) Teacher: Kevin Delahunty

SciFest STEM Outreach Video Award Students: Leah Newman, Craig Lawlor School: St Oliver's Community College, Rathmullan, Drogheda, Co. Louth Project: Can Arthritis Sufferers Benefit from Leverage?

Teacher: Andrew Donnelly

SciFest STEM Outreach Video Award Runner-up Student: Olivia Rocha da Rocha Brito School: Mercy College, Chapel Hill, Sligo Instigating Genetics in Glioblastoma Teacher: Lorraine Sherlock

SciFest Social Sciences Award Students: Mya Doocey, Mia Galligan School: St Joseph's Secondary School, Co. Meath Project: P.Eriod: Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Participation and Performance During Physical Education in Schools and Clubs Teacher: Fiona Leavy

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SciFest 2023 National Final Award Winners

SciFest Life Sciences Award Student: Ciara Cannon School: Abbey Vocational School, The Glebe, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal Project: Using Silicon Nanoparticles to Create a Self-Sustaining Antimicrobial Surface Teacher: Amanda Flood

Technological Higher Education Association Award

Irish Science Teachers’ Association Award Student: Nikishi Polgolla

Student: Gabriela Giuliese School: Blackrock ETSS, The Sandymount Buildings, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Project: The Effects of Hard Water on Hair Teacher: Katie Burrows

School: Our Lady's School, Templeogue, Ballyboden, Co. Dublin Project: An Investigation into the use of Herbal Plant Extracts that are Effective Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Skin Infections Teacher: Emma Griffin

SciFest Junior Scientist of the Future Award Student: Angelina O'Neill School: Presentation College, Headford, Co. Galway Project: Sustainability: Biomaterials and Bioplastics - A Focus Towards a Circular Economy Teacher: John Toner

SciFest Junior Technologist of the Future Award Students: Emma Greaney, Madison Brouder School: Desmond College, Station Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Project: Rehabilitation Nation Teacher: Donal Enright

SciFest STEM Champions 2022 Liam Waldron, Luke O’Sullivan, (Rachel Griffin - unable to attend) speaking to finalists at the SciFest National Final Awards Ceremony about their experience at Regeneron ISEF 2023

SciFest 2023 National Final Finalists 4

Breaking News from SciFest SciFest@School 2023/2024

SciFest@School continues to go from strength to strength, with 15 schools hosting a SciFest@School fair during Science Week alone. 85 schools have registered to host their own in-house SciFest@School STEM fairs for this year so far, 30 more than this time last year!

To register to host a SciFest@School fair please go to SciFest@School Registration.

To view a full updated list of SciFest@School fairs 2023/2024 go to SciFest@School Fairs 2023/2024.

SciFest@School, St Raphaela’s Secondary School, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin

SciFest@College 2024 The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms for SciFest@College 2024 is Friday 8 March 2024.

Entry is free and entry forms will be available online from the end of January. Dates of fairs and contact details for the coordinators in each venue are available here.

After submitting their entry form students should continue to work on their project until the date of the fair in their chosen venue.

SciFest Founder and CEO is Awarded a Women in STEM Award

SciFest@College, ATU Donegal

Congratulations to Sheila Porter, the Founder and CEO of SciFest, on being awarded the prestigious title of “Women in STEM Mentor of the Year 2023".

Sheila, who is a passionate advocate for fostering an inclusive and diverse STEM community, founded SciFest in 2006. Her aim was to encourage all young people to pursue their interests and careers in the STEM fields.

From one STEM fair in 2006 in IT Tallaght (now TU Dublin Tallaght) and 176 students, the SciFest programme has expanded to well over 100 fairs and almost 12,000 students participating annually. Since 2006 more than 100,000 students have participated in one or more levels of the programme. SciFest has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals, both young and old.

Speaking of the award Sheila said, “This award is not mine alone; it belongs to the incredible SciFest team, past and present, whose hard work and unwavering commitment have been the driving force behind the programme’s resounding success.”

Lorna Martyn, Fidelity Investments Ireland and Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO

SciFest Announces the Appointment of a New DEIS School Liaison Officer We're delighted to introduce our newest team member at SciFest - Clare Atkinson.

Clare brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of STEM education, and we couldn't be more excited to have her on board. Her enthusiastic passion for all things STEM aligns perfectly with our mission here at SciFest. In her role at SciFest, Clare will collaborate closely with the Medtronic Foundation to expand SciFest's reach to DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools across Ireland.

Since joining SciFest in October Clare has been busy hosting ‘Project Brainstorm Workshops’ for DEIS schools and visiting DEIS schools hosting SciFest@School fairs.

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Contact Details: Email: info@scifest.ie Mobile: 086 379 6143 Website: www.scifest.ie SciFest 2023 Comments From Students and Teachers

"This is my second year doing SciFest and I absolutely love it. For me it was a great experience where I learned a lot, not only about science, but about how to manage time, how to create a project and overall I learned how became an active participant in my learning."

Quote from Gabriela Giuliese

" Taking part in SciFest has been a highlight in my secondary school experience. I feel like I've learnt so much from making my project and from hearing about others too!

I've made friends with people I never would have otherwise and got to share my interests and my love of STEM with them. Without the help of my teachers, supporters and SciFest I wouldn't have been able to accomplish as much as I did. " Quote from Yasmine Odugbesan

"It's brilliant. It's very accessible for a lot of students who otherwise would not get a chance to represent their school at something.

And for me that's the most important thing is that they get a chance to, to contribute to school community, into the school spirit. And SciFest offers an awful lot of students who are STEM inclined an outlet"

"we've seen a marked improvement overthe last 10 years in the uptake in STEM, but also in the results. So we can see that the fact that a lot of them are focusing on it, there's direct correlation between that and not only the uptake in STEM, but also the results coming out. We're getting more H1, H2, H3s and less H6, H7 H8s. It's that type of way because more of them are more equipped to deal with a long-term project that needs multifaceted approaches"

Teacher Comment, SciFest Impact Evaluation, Graphic Science 2023

Teacher Comment, SciFest Impact Evaluation, Graphic Science 2023

SciFest Awarded Grant by Jazz Pharmaceuticals Early in November SciFest was delighted to be informed that it had been awarded a grant via Jazz’s Corporate Giving Grant. Jazz Pharmaceuticals enhances lives through global corporate giving, addressing unmet needs and supporting impactful initiatives. The focus of this support from Jazz Pharmaceuticals will concentrate on the SciFest@School level of the SciFest programme. We would like to thank Jazz Pharamaceuticals for their support.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

We are looking forward to working with you in 2024

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