Post-primary school students across the country are being asked to spark their imaginations into life as the deadline for entries into SciFest 2012 gets closer. SciFest is a nationwide series of science fairs, held in the 14 Institutes of Technology and the University of Ulster, where students exhibit their science projects.
SciFest encourages students to develop a love of science through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning, through fun and engaging science talks and demonstrations at the SciFest fairs.
Students are being encouraged to enter their projects in one of the nationwide events by the deadline of 2nd March 2012. The SciFest fairs begin at DIT on the 29th March and the series runs until SciFest North-West at the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, on June 15th. Entry forms can be found at www.scifest.ie.
Jointly funded by Intel and Discover Science and Engineering, SciFest provides the ideal launch pad for Ireland’s budding scientists. It is supported by a number of other partners, including BT, SEAI, Pharmachemical Ireland, Abbott Ireland and the Institutes of Technology.
The overall winners from each SciFest event will be invited to exhibit their projects at SciFest@Intel, a national event where one project will be chosen to represent Ireland at the International Science and Engineering Fair taking place in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2013.
Eoghan Flynn and Ruairi O’Neill from Blackwater Community School in Lismore, Co Waterford, were the national winners of SciFest@Intel 2011 for their project which converts plastic into a usable fuel source.
Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager, said “SciFest is all about students coming up with new ideas, carrying out investigations and most importantly enjoying science. Year on year we have seen SciFest grow in popularity and in the quality of the projects. Great credit is due to the Institutes of Technology who successfully host the events each year and to the students who participate. SciFest is now an established part of the school calendar and I urge students to log onto www.scifest.ie and get involved and help us make SciFest 2012 bigger and better than ever before!”
Stephanie O’Neill, Discover Science and Engineering, added “Having seen the quality and depth of entries at the SciFest events in 2011 it is very encouraging to see post-primary students taking on the challenges that science presents head-on and adding their own flair to them. DSE promotes original and critical thinking in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths and our association with SciFest is a key component in ensuring the future success of Irish students in this area.”
Intel’s Education and Research Manager, Dr Pádraig O’Murchú said “Everybody working in Intel in Ireland recognises the important role SciFest plays in enhancing the message of education as a priority. We are delighted to be partnering with SciFest on this initiative which enables Intel Ireland to directly influence the scientists of tomorrow.”
SciFest is a nationwide competition, open to all post-primary schools and provides a forum for students at local and regional level to present and display their scientific investigations in a third-level college. The project creates a valuable link between the second and third-level education sectors and between education and industry.
SciFest 2012 promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s series, which saw 2,900 students enter over 1,200 projects. Prizes in the various categories include the Intel Best Project Award, the PharmaChemical Ireland Award, the SEAI Energy Award and the Discover Sensors Award.
Go to www.scifest.ie for entry forms and be a part of SciFest 2012
