SciFest Ezine, Volume 12, Number 3, February 2021

SciFest Ezine Volume 12, Issue 3, February 2021

LAUNCH OF SCIFEST 2021 SciFest, Ireland’s largest and most inclusive second level STEM fair programme, is calling on students across the country to enter the 16th annual SciFest@College competition. The 2020 competition was run online and was widely acclaimed as a great success. The continuing COVID-19 restrictions mean that this year’s competition will again be online and students across the country are encouraged to enter. All projects will be accepted from the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The deadline for receipt of entry forms for SciFest@College 2021 is 23 March. Please check the SciFest website regularly for updates.

In this issue: SciFest@College 2021 SciFest@College 2021 Awards SciFest@College Resources SciFest@Home 10 Sample Projects you can do at Home SciFest and Regeneron ISEF 2021 SciFest Alumni Network Group on Linkedin SciFest@School 2021 - The CBAs and TY

2 2 2 3 4 5 6 6

SCIFEST@COLLEGE 2021 Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions SciFest@College 2021 will take place online. Students are asked to submit their entry forms to one of the 16 regional venues - the nine Institutes of Technology, TU Dublin (Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Grangegorman), Munster TU (Cork, Tralee), DCU and St Mary’s College, Derry - by 23 March. Visit the SciFest website to see how projects will be judged.

SCIFEST@COLLEGE 2021 AWARDS There is a wide range of prizes available at each regional venue, including the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award and the Intel Technology Award. This year SciFest is delighted to announce a new award for projects with potential for business impact, the Business Excellence Institute Award. This award will go the project with the greatest potential to impact organizations and/or industries.

SCIFEST@COLLEGE RESOURCES There are lots of resources available on the Scifest website, including sample projects, a 'TY Science by Inquiry' module and a junior 'Beginners Guide to Doing a SciFest Project'.

Please visit the SciFest website for more information.

Best Project Award Runner-up Best Project Award Boston

Scientific

Medical

Devices Award Intel Award (Best Technology Project) Institute of Physics Award Business

Excellence

Institute

Award (New) Environmental Award Newstalk

Best

Communicator

Award Chemistry Award RSC

School

Chemistry

Award

(Republic of Ireland Section) Discover Space Student Award (ESERO Ireland) Discover Space Teacher Award Maths in Science Award ISTA

(Irish

Science

Teachers'

Association) Student Award Junior Innovation Award Merit Award Page 2

SCIFEST@HOME Not only in Ireland but all over the world the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the temporary closures of schools, third-level colleges, research institutions and businesses. This means that some SciFest project ideas which are research lab or school lab based may not be possible, but this should not limit the potential of a SciFest project. There are so many ways to carry out safe, meaningful, scientific research at home.

THERE ARE MANY MEASUREMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE USING A PHONE!

WE ARE SURROUNDED BY NATURE

If students have a smartphone, they have a multi-faceted tool that can

If students have a garden or local park, live on a

be converted into, for example, a decibel meter to measure sound

farm or near a beach, a bog or a wood there are

intensity, a light meter to measure light intensity, a slow-motion

endless possibilities for a safe ecological field

camera to record movement, all with various free apps. Many students

study, or even an environmental impact study. Of

have a smart watch, which is often able to measure important

course these projects must be done in compliance

physiological data such as pulse, heart rate, sleep, etc.

with Covid-19 restrictions - see note below.

A free app called Arduino Science Journal alone contains:

For information on how to carry out a study of an

An accelerometer

ecosystem click on this LINK.

Barometer

FOLLOWING THEIR PASSION

Light intensity meter Tempera

ture

Compass

The best projects are often those which arise from

50

Magnetometer

40 30 20 10 0

Pitch meter

Item 1

Item 2

Item 3

Item 4

a particular passion or interest of the student.

Item 5

Perhaps research and investigations have been

Decibel meter

done in this area before, perhaps not.

COMPUTER-BASED PROJECTS With access to a computer students can carry out a range of data analysis and computer science projects. Reputable public datasets can be a good starting point for data analysis projects.

One way to find out is to type keywords into this LINK to see journals and articles that have been written on the topic they are interested in. Some journals, or at least their abstracts, are free to view and could inspire the student to extend and build

Examples include: Eurostat the statistical office of the European Union Google Public Data

upon the existing research.

THE SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE

EPA Climate Calculators EPA Environmental Protection Agency

Click on this LINK

Central Statistics Office

stories of inspiration on completing research

The Department of Education

outside of a traditional laboratory environment.

for resources, advice, and

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations – a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Worldwide Telescope

THE SCIFEST WEBSITE There's lots of help on how to go about doing a project on the SciFest website, including a number

Click on this LINK for some examples of computer science projects for

of sample projects, many of which can be carried

beginners.

out at home.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

As the student's health and safety, as well as that of all those involved in the SciFest@College programme, is our main priority it is essential that students adhere strictly to the advice provided by the HSE when participating in the SciFest@College 2021 online competition. The nature and extent of the current crisis changes almost daily and the guidance provided by the HSE changes accordingly. It is therefore essential that you and your students check the HSE website regularly.

SAFETY IN THE HOME

Participation in SciFest@College 2021 does not require a student to carry out practical work in their home that is normally carried out in a school laboratory setting, nor should they undertake such activities. Any practical activities that they do undertake must be safe and must be carried out under the appropriate supervision of a responsible adult.

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SCIFEST@HOME 10 SAMPLE PROJECTS THAT CAN BE DONE AT HOME

1.

An investigation into the density of lichens in urban areas as a bioindicator of air quality

1.

The presence of lichens on trees and rocks means the air quality in an area is quite good.

Are there lichens in your locality? Could you compare different sites in lichen density? Is there already research done in your area on this? If so, how long ago was the research done and could you compare your findings?

2.

Do birds see in colour? An investigation to see whether birds have preference for certain coloured bird feeders

1.

Songbirds that visit our gardens have a surprisingly good perception of colour.

Do certain species have a favourite colour?

3.

A quantitative survey using moth traps to determine the effect of weather on moths We have a staggering 1350 species of moths in Ireland. New studies show that moths are arguably as important pollinators as bees. You can easily see moths by simply hanging an old white bed sheet outside overnight with a lamp or torch shining on the sheet. Many moths will be attracted and stay on the sheet.

How many moths can you count from one night?

Over a week, how many moths appear each night? Does the weather affect their appearance? Can you identify any species? Can you think of other factors that could influence moth populations?

4.

The effect of solar light intensity on the sound level of the dawn chorus Every spring, songbirds such as blackbirds start to sing in the early morning and late evening to proclaim their territories and look for a mate. The increase in daylight hours and increase in sunlight intensity cause their bodies to produce hormones which ‘tell them’ to start singing.

You can download light intensity meters and sound (decibel meters) on your phone.

Is there a direct relationship between brighter mornings and louder birdsong? Our urban areas have never been brighter at night; do streetlights affect birdsong? Which birds sing earliest in the year?

5.

The effect of temperatures on storage and maintenance of hurleys Hurleys are typically made of ash, which is a natural and porous substance that can be susceptible to changes in its surrounding environment.

What are the optimum conditions for storing hurleys? Would temperature affect a hurley?

6.

An analysis of the maximum load of biodegradable bin bags Biodegradable bin liners are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to plastic bin liners.

Each brand suggests the volume of their bin liner, but which can hold the greatest mass without breaking?

7.

The effect of the ‘Calm app’ or alternatives on heart rate prior to sleep

7.

Sleep stories or even calming music are seen as a way to relax people before they drift off to sleep.

If you have a smart watch, there are numerous apps that can measure pulse, heart rate and see if sleep solutions work.

8.

Are second-level students’ subject choices influenced by gender?

9.

Does the length of a hurley affect how far the sliotar will travel?

It is often suggested that boys gravitate to certain subjects whilst girls gravitate to others.

The breakdown of subject uptake somewhat confirms this, but are there other factors involved?

Poc Fada or ‘long puck’ is held every year and tests some of the most skilled hurlers in the country.

A hurley size for a player is usually determined by measuring the distance from the player's wrist to the ground.

10.

Would a longer hurley make the sliotar go farther?

An analysis of optimal glove design for Gaelic football Gloves offer additional grip in Gaelic football.

Are there any household items that you could use to adapt the gloves for better grip?

Page 4

Volume 12, Issue 3, January 2021

Caoimhín

Conor

Eoghan

Dara, David and Conor

Caoimhín O'Leary SCIFEST SFI STEM CHAMPION 2020

Speaking of his award Caoimhín said "Taking part and winning SciFest 2020 was the highlight of the year for me. Although the competition took place mainly online, it was a great chance to see what other students my own age were researching and the incredible work being done across the wide ranging areas of STEM. I couldn’t recommend applying to SciFest more. It was an amazing experience. The skills I learned through my participation will be useful as I progress in my education and future career. I am very grateful to everyone at SciFest, including Sheila and George Porter for this opportunity, as well as all my family, teachers, without whom none of this would have been possible. I am really looking forward to representing Ireland at Regeneron ISEF 2021.”

SCIFEST AND REGENERON ISEF 2021 Three award winning SciFest Nationa Final projects will represent Ireland and compete in this year's Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). A fourth project will attend the Broadcom MASTERS International Programme which runs alongside Regeneron ISEF. Award: SciFest SFI STEM Champion 2020 Student: Caoimhín O'Leary Project: An Image Analysis of Rehabilitating Patients' Exercises to Measure and Improve Recovery School: Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford Teacher: Niamh Shannon

Award: SciFest SFI Runner-Up Award 2020 Student: Conor Casey Project: AMSIMP: Using Machine Learning to Improve Numerical Weather Prediction School: Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co. Kerry Teacher: Sarah Abbott

Award: Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award 2020, Intel Technology Award 2020 Students: Dara Newsome, Conor Bradshaw, David Hughes Project: Specs - An Adapted Spectacle System for Dementia Patients School: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Teacher: Eimear Nolan

Award: Broadcom MASTERS International Award 2020 Student: Eoghan Ó Fearáin Project: Beef or Leaf (An Rian Coise Charbóin a Bhaineann le hAistí Bhia Éagsúla) School: Coláiste Ailigh, Cnoc na Móna, Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Dhún na nGall Teacher: Siobhán Laighneach

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Contact Details: Email: info@scifest.ie Mobile: 0863796143 Website: www.scifest.ie

SCIFEST ALUMNI NETWORK LINKEDIN GROUP The SciFest Alumni Network is open to anyone who has

SCIFEST@SCHOOL

SCIFEST@SCHOOL and the CBAs

presented a project at a local SciFest@School, or a regional

Students who have developed a SciFest project

SciFest@College, STEM fair. The aim of the SciFest Alumni

should have little difficulty in completing an

Network is to create a community of STEM ambassadors who

Extended Experimental Investigation - CBA 1..

recognise the importance of promoting inclusion, diversity, and

The skills acquired in preparing a project for a

equality in STEM education.

SciFest@School fair are also those assessed in

Joining the network will provide former SciFest participants with

the CBA. Conversely, an Extended Experimental

an opportunity to re-connect, to ‘give back’ and to play a pivotal

Investigation prepared for a CBA could, with

role in inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, innovators

additional

and entrepreneurs.

expanded and developed into a project suitable

Alumni are invited to support the SciFest programme by

for exhibiting at a SciFest@School fair - see A

volunteering to judge at a SciFest STEM fair, acting as a mentor,

Beginners Guide to Doing a SciFest Project

work,

be

subsequently

further

promoting SciFest whenever possible and sharing fresh ideas that they might have with regards to the programme.

To join please click on this LINK.

SCIFEST@SCHOOL AND TY

Researching, developing and presenting a SciFest project can constitute an ideal module for a Transition Year programme - see Science by Inquiry Transition Year Module.

SciFest is a Gaisce Challenge Partner. Students participating in a SciFest STEM fair can use their participation as the Personal Skill element of their Gaisce Award. Those involved in organising SciFest events can use their activities to meet the Community Involvement element of their Gaisce Award. Please click here for further details Page 6