Sheila Porter (SciFest National Coordinator)

1. Student Presentation Sheila Porter (SciFest National Coordinator)

2. What is SciFest? A festivalof science open to all second-level students which encourages a love of science through enquiry- based learning and provides anopportunity for students to display their scientific discoveries

3. Who Can Enter SciFest? SciFest is open to all second-level students Age Category: • Junior - 1st Year and 2nd Year • Intermediate - 3rd Year and 4th Year • Senior - 5th Year and 6th Year • Project Type: • Individual • Group - (Max. 3 students per group – all group members must be in attendance at the exhibition) • Project Category: • Physical Sciences • Life Sciences • Technology

4. Sample Programme 9.00 Registration and Set-up 9.45 Opening 10.00 Judging 12.15 Lunch for Competitors and Teachers 13.00 Science Talks – one of: A) “CSI Dublin - Forensic Science in Ireland” Liam Fleury, Forensic Science Laboratory B) “The Origin and Fate of the Universe” Noel Gorman, ITT Dublin C) “Bugs – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Mary Costello, ITT Dublin 14.00 Science Demonstrations in Laboratories 15.00 Prize giving ceremony 15.40 Closing Address 15.40 Take Down Posters

5. Trophies Cash awards Prizes Awards

6. SciFest 2010 This is to certify that Ann Jones From St Mary’s School has entered and presented a project in SciFest 2010 Athlone Institute of Technology Students’ demo-Robotics Certificates And more Students enjoying lunch

7. Discover Sensors Award Sponsored by the Discover Sensors Project (www.discoversensors.ie) Discover Sensors Award Two awards may be presented at each Institute of Technology for the best project in any area of science or technology where the investigation involves substantial use of one or more digital sensors. • Winner Prize • School Prize: Trophy • Student Prize: €50 (group €100) in one4all vouchers • Teacher Prize: Creative VADO mini camcorder • Highly Commended Prize • School Prize: Trophy • Student Prize: €30 (group €60) in one4all vouchers • Teacher Prize: Creative VADO mini camcorder

8. Mathematics in Science Award Trophy €50 (group €100) in one4all vouchers New Award for 2010 • At each Institute of Technology the judges will be asked to identify the project which best illustrates the importance of mathematics in science. The selected projects will be passed to a SciFest judging panel. • An overall winner will be selected by the SciFest judging panel and the award will be presented at the Celebration of Excellence in Science and launch of SciFest 2011 to be held in Intel Ireland in October 2010.

9. SciFest celebrates excellence in STEM education 2008 2007 2009 2006 October 2010 ‘Intel Celebrates Excellence in Science’ Thirty-three second level students awarded Intel Excellence in Science medals in recognition of their achievement in SciFest 2009 by Minister Conor Lenihan

10. Log ontowww.scifest.ie • Read all the information given on the website especially the ‘Guidelines for Entrants’ and ‘Report Book and Presentation’ • Download and print out an entry form What You Need to do Today • Make out a ‘things to do’ list • If doing a group project • - pick students you know you can work with • - work with somebody who lives near you or is in your class • Decide on a group leader – divide up the work- teamwork is important • Arrange definite times to meet

11. Deciding on an Idea • Check out the SciFest website www.scifest.ie ‘Project Ideas’ • Talk to your parents, your teacher, your friends • Check out the Internet and the school library • Watch the news and read the newspaper • Have you a hobby? • Is there a particular area of science you are interested in? • Write out the idea in your own words

12. Brilliant idea!!! Remember YOU CAN DO IT Ideas come when you least expect them !

13. Research and Brainstorm • Get a large sheet of paper and brainstorm with your team • Make a shortlist of ‘best ideas’ Find out as much as you can about the topic • What questions would you like to try to answer? • Can you find a mentor, i.e., someone from a company, a hospital or a third level college who might be a source of information and/or resources

14. Be Safe Remember • Investigate only one variable • Keep all other factors constant • Have a control • Repeat the experiment a number of times • Be prepared to change your approach when necessary • Ensure that it is a fair test Check that you are not planning any dangerous experiments or using harmful equipment or chemicals

15. PROJECT REPORT BOOK • Title Page • Introduction • Background Research • Experimental Methods • Results • Conclusions and Recommendations • Acknowledgements • Appendices • References Project Report Is the viscosity of oil affected by heat? Jessica Dee Mary Jones Louise ward St Anne’s School Co Limerick A Completed Project Must Contain • SUMMARY (included in Report Book) • This is a short description of what your science project is about.  It should be no more than two typed pages in length 3.VISUAL DISPLAY Should be bright, attractive, clear and concise See website www.scifest.ie – Report Book and Presentation

16. The Website -www.scifest.ie • SciFest 2010 - Guidelines for entrants - Entry Forms - Report Book and Presentation • Transition Year Module ‘Science by Inquiry’ • Project Ideas (12 ideas on the website) • Exhibition Dates and Contacts • Links and Resources • Media Centre • and more ………………………….. Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 12 March 2010

17. Exhibition Dates – SciFest 2010

18. SciFest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMqNxVgaD3c&feature=channel

19. SciFest Be a part of something BIG