Post-primary school students take science to the next level with over 140 projects at [email protected] Institute of Technology 2018
Of the over 140 projects exhibited at [email protected] 2018, the top prize on the day went to Conn Caomhánach, Con Ó Meachair from Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy for their project, [Ag Fiosrú na hEifeachtaí de Phrobhitheacha E.M.(An investigation into the effect of E.M. Probiotics)
Scifest is a regional science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) competition for secondary schools that takes place across Ireland every year. [email protected] saw more than 330 students from schools all over the South East exhibit more than 140 projects at Waterford Institute of Technology and put their knowledge of science to the test. [email protected] is one of the many initiatives run by Calmast, Waterford IT’s STEM Outreach centre, which is now funded by SFI as the STEM Outreach Hub for the South East. The centre works with schools, industry and the public to promote STEM to all. In 2017, the centre brought over 20,000 people to STEM activities in Waterford and the South East, in addition to running Maths Week Ireland nationally, with 300,000 participants.
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 with MSD, GSK, Sanofi, Eirgen Pharma and Bausch & Lomb supporting [email protected].
Ingenuity of students
[email protected] co-ordinator Cordula Weiss said: “We are delighted to have so many students from across the South East competing here in Waterford IT at Scifest. The enthusiasm and ingenuity the students are showing for science is wonderful. In addition to the many national awards, we are delighted that so many companies in the region have generously sponsored special awards for the students from the South East.
It was a full day celebrating STEM in the Southeast which began with Minister John Halligan opening the event. “It is wonderful to see so many students from the South East engaged with STEM. Scifest is a wonderful initiative allowing students to explore areas of STEM and come up with solutions to real life problems. This is closely interlinked to the Government’s aim of promoting and increasing interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I am delighted to see expert judges from so many of the STEM industries we have in the South East here today.” Minister Halligan added “This is a great example of the Waterford Institute of Technology putting its expertise and resources at the service of education in the region. I am aware that this is one of many high impact events coordinated by WIT’s Calmast outreach centre which is funded by Science Foundation Ireland as the STEM Outreach Hub for the South East.”
11th year
Commenting on the [email protected] regional STEM fair Sheila Porter, SciFest CEO said: “2017 was the tenth anniversary for SciFest and a hugely successful year with another big increase in the number of students taking part. In total 10,000 students exhibited their projects in local and regional STEM fairs across the country. We are sure that 2018 will be another successful year. SciFest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry-based approaches to learning, while developing their creative and problem-solving skills and learning to work in a team.”
SMART futures
Stephanie O Neill from Science Foundation Ireland chaired the SMART futures programme in which Dr Aisling Masterson, Eirgen Pharma and Will Gough , GSK spoke to students about their careers in the local STEM industry.
Award winners
The winning project by Conn Caomhánach and Con Ó Meachair looked at the effect of EM probiotics, will now represent the South East in the National Scifest final.
There were many awards given out on the day. A number of special awards for [email protected] were supported by local Pharma and Healthcare companies. The Life Science Project award sponsored by GSK was won by Caoimhin O'Leary from Ardscoil na Mara school with their project on Potential for Crocus Sativus biotechnological growth in Ireland.
The Social and Behavioural Sciences Award supported by MSD was won by Sara McLoughlin, Niamh Murphy, Martyna Smyrak of St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross with their project on Friendly Fonts. The Intermediate project award supported by Eirgen Pharma was awarded to Anna Keating and Alaidh Kavanagh from St. Mary's College, Arklow with their project The secret to cleaning your gum shield in less than a minute, Grab and Go!. The Display award supported by
Bausch and Lomb was presented by Pamela Mackey to Aine Kavanagh and Niamh Gallagher from Mercy Secondary School Waterford . The Award for Innovation in methodology supported by Sanofi, and was presented by Majella Moynihan to Kyle Treacy, Jules Casey and Conor McGoldrick from Ard Scoil na Mara TRamore.
Full list of winners
Science Foundation Ireland Best Project Award
Ag Fiosrú na hEifeachtaí de Phrobhitheacha E.M.
Conn Caomhánach, Con Ó Meachair
Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy
Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award
Testing the effectiveness of market batteries against our Ecological Houseplant Battery
Janet Williams Oshun, Aleksandra Gramiak
St. Mary's College, Arklow
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award
Child Friendly Drip Bag
Grace Cloney, Maja Maciejowska
St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross
Intel Award (Best Physical Science or Technology Project)
Arduino controlled garden!
Katharina Eirserfey, Kornelija Gruodyte
Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
Environmental Award
An investigation into the attitude of recycling in Irish students in primary schools and how it changes as they grow into secondary school
Michael Rafter, Jack Murphy
Meánscoil na mBráithre Criostaí, Cill Channaigh
Newstalk Best Communicator Award
Why fidget spinners are more than toys: does stereotypy aid concentration in students with developmental disorders?
Katie Garrett
St. Mary's College, Arklow
BioPharmaChem Ireland Chemistry Award – best chemistry content
Power of the Sea
Elena Kenny, Amy Cahill, Aoife Nolan
St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross
RSC School Chemistry Award
Mr Sean Fogarty
St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross
Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland)
Could Mars have sustained life while at one point in history
Adham Monahan, Ryan Kidby, Michal Wilkowski
Christian Brothers Secondary School, New Ross
Discover Space Teacher Award (Teacher Award)
Mr Shane Curran
Christian Brothers Secondary School, New Ross
Maths in Science Award
Does dancing improve your memory and coordination?
Alanna Collier, Megan Smale
St. Mary's College, Arklow
Irish Science Teachers' Association Award 1st Junior Project
From Wonder Women to Daddy Pig: an investigation of the sexist conditioning of children through TV and film
Róisín Ní Chadhla, Erin O'Sullivan, Ryan Fleming
Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore
GSK Life Sciences Project Award
Potential for Crocus Sativus biotechnological growth in Ireland
Caoimhin O'Leary
Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore
MSD Social and Behavioural Sciences Award
Friendly Fonts
Sara McLoughlin, Niamh Murphy, Martyna Smyrak
St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross
Eirgen Intermediate Project Award
The secret to cleaning your gum shield in less than a minute, Grab and Go!
Anna Keating, Alaidh Kavanagh
St. Mary's College, Arklow
Bausch and Lomb Display Award
Does carrying a schoolbag effect your height?
Aine Kavanagh, Niamh Gallagher
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford
Sanofi Award for Innovation in Methodology
A Study of The Community Implications of Anaerobic Digesters
Kyle Treacy, Jules Casey, Conor McGoldrick
Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore
WIT Merit Award
How accurate are the best before dates on milk?
Alice Keenan, Aoife McBride
St. Mary's College, Arklow
WIT Merit Award
Plant-TEK
Kasia Ossowska, Ellen O'Grady
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford
WIT Merit Award
The impact of zero grazing on soil nutrients levels.
Daniel Farrell
De La Salle College, Waterford
WIT Merit Award
Water Purification
Belinda Nolan, Peig Delaney
St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross
WIT Merit Award
Impleachtaí na gCuotaí Inscne ar Dháil Éireann
Robbie Mac Giolla Dé , Conor De Rúit
Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
