Published on: Tuesday, 28 March 2017

”Portion sizes: knowledge and education” “Have Anti Biotics become less effective” and “Does sport affect the intelligence of a young teen?” are just some project ideas being presented at SciFest 2017, which will take place at CIT Bishopstown Campus on Friday, 31st March 2017.
 
Scifest is an all-inclusive, all island science initiative which fosters active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning among second-level students. Scifest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Intel and Boston Scientific.  This year’s event in CIT showcases 145 projects from 330 second-level school students, ranging from 1st Year to 5th Year and from 32 schools across Cork City and County, The event will be opened by Cllr. Des Cahill, Lord Mayor of Cork.
 
Dr Hugh McGlynn, Head of School of Science & Informatics at CIT said: “As always, the projects entered by the students in Scifest are impressive, engaging and thought-provoking.  Second-level school students from across the region are demonstrating their passion for science, technology, engineering and maths, which is clearly evident from the high standard of research that has gone into the entries this year.  Scifest is a competition that aims to encourage students to develop an interest in STEM, which prioritising inclusivity and inquiry-based learning.  We are proud to support such a valuable programme.”
 
Commenting on SciFest at CIT, Sheila Porter, CEO SciFest Ltd, says, “2016 was a hugely successful year for Scifest with a record number of students taking part.  Over 8,000 students exhibited their projects in local science fairs across the country.  This year we intend to build on this success and have another record year. Scifest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry-based approaches to learning, which developing their creative and problem-solving skills and learning to work in a team.”

 
I would like to thank our partners including Science Foundation Ireland, Intel Ireland and Boston Scientific and our sponsors Newstalk, BioPharmaChem Ireland, Abbott, SEAI, ESERO Ireland, ISTA, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, The Business Excellence Institute, Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, and the Institutes of Technology. Without their support, none of this would be possible.”
 
Prizes being awarded on the day are

• Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award
• Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award
• Intel Award
• Boston Scientic Medical Devices Award
• Scifest 10th Anniversary Award
• Sustainable Energy Award
• Newstalk Best Communicator Award
• BioPharmaChem Ireland Chemistry Award
• Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) Award 
• Discover Space Teacher Award
• RSC School Chemistry Award
• Maths in Science Award 
• Irish Science Teachers’ Association Award

Additional prizes will also be presented by Eli-Lilly, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Bank of Ireland, and CIT.

The best Science Foundation Ireland project award winners from Scifest@CIT 2017 will participate in a National Final competition in Dublin in November.  The best of the runners up from the regional events, selected by a panel of judges based on the project report books will also participate in the National Final from which Scifest 2017 grand award will be presented. This award consists of a trophy and an all expenses paid trip for the winning student(s) and their mentor to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 13th - 18th May, 2018.

   
Please visit www.scifest.ie for further information.