SciFest Ezine, Volume 12, Number 4, May 2021

SCIFEST EZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4, MAY 2021

SCIFEST STUDENT ACHIEVES GLOBAL SUCCESS AT INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR!

CONOR CASEY FROM CO. KERRY WINS A GRAND AWARD AT THE REGENERON INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR (ISEF) 21 May 2021 – SciFest finalist, Conor Casey from Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co. Kerry represented Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held virtually last week where he claimed a 2nd Place Award in his category, Earth and Environmental Sciences. His success means he brings home a prize of $2,000.

Conor secured his place at the international competition when he won the Runner-up Award at the SciFest 2020 National Final last November.

Conor claimed the 2nd Place Award at Regeneron ISEF for his project, “Using AI to Improve Weather Prediction”. Using artificial intelligence Conor developed a model which can produce a forecast of a similar level of accuracy to current models, while doing so with greater efficiency. This would make it cheaper to generate weather forecasts by reducing the amount of resources required.

IN THIS ISSUE: SciFest@Regeneron ISEF 2021 Broadcom MASTERS International

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SciFest@School During COVID SciFest@College 2021 SciFest@College 2021 Awards Rolling Back the Years

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The Global youth Science and Technology Bowl 2021 Contact Details Thank You Sponsors

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SCIFEST@REGENERON ISEF 2021

Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest international precollege science competition, involving over 1,800 students from 64 countries, regions and territories competing for a prize fund totalling $5million. The competition is usually held in the United States but for the second year running the event took place virtually due to COVID-19.

Speaking about attending ISEF, Conor said: “The whole ISEF experience has been absolutely amazing. It was great that the competition got to go

Also representing Ireland at Regeneron ISEF 2021 were SciFest finalists Caoimhín O’Leary from Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford and Dara Newsome, Conor Bradshaw and David Hughes from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

ahead virtually, it gave me the opportunity to interact with people from around the world who have done some incredible work across a huge variety of areas. I really enjoyed presenting my project and hearing from world famous scientists who have really encouraged me to develop my love of STEM. I am immensely grateful to everyone at SciFest for this opportunity, as well as all my family and my teacher Ms Abbott, without whom none of this would have been possible.”

Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO said: “We are all very proud of Conor, he is a great example of the high calibre of entries that SciFest produces. His project demonstrates that great science is really about curiosity, exploration and having an inquisitive spirit.

For Conor to represent Ireland at ISEF and to win in his category 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 shows that there is a very high standard of science being taught in Irish schools. It is important that we nourish this talent and to further encourage the take up of STEM subjects in school.”

Broadcom MASTERS International SciFest finalist, Eoghan Farren from Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, represented Ireland at the Broadcom MASTERS International which runs in parallel with Regeneron ISEF. The Broadcom MASTERS International is organised by The Society for Science and is a companion programme to the domestic Broadcom MASTERS Competition which takes place in the USA each year. The international programme provides a unique opportunity for 27 students from 25 countries to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and interact with each other in a global exchange.There are 423 affiliated science fairs from more than 80 countries, regions and territories affiliated to ISEF including SciFest. We are very honoured to be invited for the third year running to select a junior student to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS International 2021.

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SCIFEST@SCHOOL DURING COVID By the time this academic year comes to a close, over

judged by a SciFest judge. A number of schools availed

20 schools will have hosted their own SciFest@School

of this facility.

fair, in many cases remotely and online, undeterred by COVID

SciFest

This level of engagement is in particular a testament to

continued to provide the usual supports in the form of

restrictions

and

school

closures.

science teachers the length and breadth of Ireland

teacher packs, student certificates, freebies, One4all

who, through incredibly challenging circumstances,

gift tokens and award rosettes. It was not possible for

have been able to enthuse, inspire and encourage their

SciFest representatives and external judges to visit the

students to create a project for SciFest. The students,

schools but teachers overcame this problem by

teachers

inviting other staff members to act as judges. Teachers

resilience through the last year and proven that once

were invited by SciFest to select up to 5 projects to be

barriers

judged online via Zoom by a SciFest judge or to submit

innovation will soon follow and the once seemingly

up to 5 project report books via WeTransfe to be

impossible becomes possible.

and are

SciFest removed,

itself, and

have ideas

demonstrated encouraged,

'A really great opportunity for my students. School management was very happy with it and we will definitely be doing it again.'

Teacher Quote from SciFest@School Evaluation Questionnaire

A number of schools, despite the many challenges of COVID, hosted SciFest@School STEM fairs throughout the academic year. SciFest provided award rosettes and One4all tokens for winners and certificates and freebies for all who particip[ated.

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SCIFEST@COLLEGE 2021 Despite a tumultuous year for all schools, 700 projects registered to participate in SciFest@College 2021, a testament to students, teachers and the flexibility of the SciFest programme.

Whilst nothing can replace the warmth, fun and atmosphere of a real-world STEM fair, an online equivalent still offers an opportunity for students to innovate and be creative in STEM. Congratulations to the students and thank you to the teachers, parents and mentors who supported them. Each student will receive a well-deserved SciFest@College 2021 certificate of outstanding achievement. The results will be available towards the end of June. Award winners and their teachers will be notified by email and the results will be posted on the SciFest websire. Certificates, trophies and One4all tokens will be sent out to the schools early in September.

Rollimg back the years 2006

2007

SCIFEST@COLLEGE 2021 AWARDS We are delighted to announce that Dublin based and indigenous fintech company, Fenergo has joined SciFest’s growing sponsor community as a Gold Sponsor. Fenergo will be sponsoring the Fenergo Communication Award at the 16 regional SciFest@College STEM fairs. The Fenergo Communication Award will be presented to the students whose project has an organised and clear report book, demonstrates enthusiasm and confidence in their video presentation and can clearly convey how their project impacts the end user.

2008

2009 The aim of SciFest is to encourage more second-level students to get involved in STEM and to open their eyes to the opportunities offered by studying STEM subjects in senior cycle and on into third-level. Linking businesss to schools can support this by bringing real-world context and inspiration into the classroom in a way that has genuine impact. We are therefore very excited that the Business Excellence Institute is sponsoring a new award at each of the 16 SciFest@College venues for projects with potential for business impact. This award will go the project with the greatest potential to impact organizations and/or industries.

2010

In addition we are delighted to welcome Accenture on board as a Gold Sponsor. They are now sponsoring the Maths in Science Award.

A full list of the SciFest@College 2021 awards can be viewed on the SciFest website by clicking on the following link.

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THE GLOBAL YOUTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BOWL (GYSTB) 2021 The Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl (GYSTB) 2021 is an international student science competition in biology, chemistry, physics and engineering in Hong Kong. It is organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. The competition is a showcase of global youth scientific achievement and innovation, which aims to promote science and technology, provide a platform for global youth to develop their creativity and scientific mindsets, and facilitate the exchange of scientific ideas, interests and abilities among young scientists all over the world. Science talents all over the world will compete for the grand prizes with their research reports and prototypes.

Last year SciFest participated in GYSTB for the first time. The competition was held online due COVID-19. Three SciFest students, Alice Shaughnessy, Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Galway, Timothy McGrath, Killorglin Community College, Co. Kerry and Ruth Madden, Largy College, Clones, Co. Monaghan qualified through SciFest to compete in the competition. Judging took place online and the Irish students did exceptionally well. Ruth claimed a top Gold Award for her project ‘The Microplastic Filter - A Small Solution to a Global Problem’, Timothy, a first-place award and Alice a third-place award.

Rollimg back the years 2011

2012

2013 This year SciFest has been invited to submit five projects. The following projects have been accepted as finalists at GYSTB 2021.

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Erinn Leavy and Sophie McCardle, St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk Co. Louth Teacher: John White Project: ''An Analysis of Physiological and Running Metrics in 3km Cross Country Running in Comparison to Track and Treadmill' Giulia Baratta, St Andrews College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Teacher: Hilary Rimbi Project: "Toxicological investigation of pesticides, using paramecium as a model organism"

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Conor Casey, Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co. Kerry Teacher: Sarah Abbott Project: "Using AI to Improve Weather Prediction"

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Caoimhín O'Leary, Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore Co. Warterford Teacher: Niamh Shannon Project: "Image analysis of rehabilitating patients’ exercises to measure and improve recovery"

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Dara Newsome, Conor Bradshaw and David Hughes, Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Teacher: Eimear Nolan Project: "Specs - A Wearable Smart Device for Dementia Patients"

2014

2015

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

Rollimg back the years 2017

2018 As the school year draws to a close we would like to thank all those who have supported SciFest throughout the year:

Our partners Intel and Boston Scientific, our sponsors, the regional coordinators, the teachers, the students, the judges, and all who have given generously of their time during the year to help at SciFest events.

2019

HAVE A LOVELY SUMMER AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN 2021/2022

2020

2021

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