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SciFest Ezine
NATIONAL FINAL SPECIAL EDITION
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2, DECEMBER 2020
SCIFEST SFI STEM CHAMPION 2020
CAOIMHÍN O'LEARY, ARD SCOIL NA MARA, TRAMORE CO. WATERFORD
Caoimhín O'Leary, a fifth year student from Ard Scoil na Mara in Tramore, Co. Waterford was
named the SciFest SFI STEM Champion 2020 at the SciFest National Final which took place
virtually from 19-21 November. Caoimhín developed an innovative video analysis measurement
system for rehabilitating patients after joint injury or joint surgery and will go on to represent
Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) next May.
In this Issue
SciFest 2020 Goes Virtual 2
SciFest 2020 National Final Award Winners 3
SciFest 2020 National Final 4
Regeneron ISEF 2021
Broadcom MASTERS International 2021
SciFest 2020 STEM Outreach Award 5
SciFest@School 2020/2021
SciFest@School 2020/2021 Awards
Contact Details 6
SCIFEST 2020 GOES VIRTUAL
AND IS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS @scifest4stem
This year’s SciFest National Final took place on a specially designed
online platform from Thursday 19 November to Saturday 21
November. We were delighted to be able to welcome not only
students, teachers and parents to this inspiring showcase of young
people’s research but also, for the first time, the general public.
The platform went live on Monday 14 November to give the public an
opportunity to view the finalists’ projects, vote for their favourite project
and test their scientific knowledge in daily competitions. The main
programme opened officially on Thursday with a special guest
speaker, Maya Ajmera, President and CEO at Society for Science &
the Public and Publisher of Science News in the United States. This
was followed by Prof. Shane O’Mara from the Trinity Institute of
Neuroscience discussing the science of walking. Throughout Friday
there was a series of exciting STEM-related talks and presentations
which included an update on COVID-19 from Prof. Luke O’Neill. We
were very honoured that Donegal’s own Nobel Laureate, Prof. William
C Campbell agreed to be interviewed by Dr Claire O’Connell on Friday
evening. Other speakers included ‘Scientific Sue’, Founder and CEO of
Science2Life, Prof. Laoise McNamara, NUIG, Prof. Aoife McLysaght,
TCD, Prof. Niamh Nic Daéid, University of Dundee, Dr Ruth Freeman,
SFI, Dr Yvonne Kavanagh, IOP, Aláine Lee, SciFest Alumna 2014, Dr
Norah Patten, International Space University, Dr Shane Bergin, UCD
and Dr David Robert Grimes, DCU.
The Awards Ceremony took place live at 2 pm on Saturday when the
SciFest SFI STEM Champion 2020 was announced. Speakers at the
Awards Ceremony included Ms Norma Foley TD, Minister for
Education and Skills, Prof. Brian MacCraith, Former President of
Dublin City University and Chair of the SciFest Board, Margie Mc
Carthy, SFI and Timothy McGrath, SciFest SFI STEM Champion 2019.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all our
speakers, the students, teachers, parents and mentors, the National
Final judges, the regional coordinators, our partners and sponsors and
last but not least our wonderful MC Philip Smyth.
Prof. William C Campbell Prof. Aoife McLysaght
Page 2
SCIFEST 2020 NATIONAL FINAL AWARD WINNERS
SCIFEST SFI STEM CHAMPION 2020
YALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION AWARD 2020
Student: Caoimhín O'Leary
Project: An Image Analysis of Rehabilitating Patients' Exercises to Measure and Improve Recovery
School: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford Teacher: Niamh Shannon
TEACHER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD 2020
Teacher: Niamh Shannon School: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford
SCIFEST SFI RUNNER-UP AWARD 2020
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY AWARD 2020
Student: Conor Casey
Project: AMSIMP: Using Machine Learning to Improve Numerical Weather Prediction Aoibheann Mangan
School: Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Co. Kerry Teacher: Sarah Abbott
BROADCOM MASTERS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME AWARD 2020
Student: Eoghan Ó Fearáin
Project: Beef or Leaf (An Rian Coise Charbóin a Bhaineann le hAistí Bhia Éagsúla)
School: Coláiste Ailigh, Cnoc na Móna, Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Dhún na nGall
Teacher: Siobhán Laighneach
BERLIN LONG NIGHT OF SCIENCE AWARD 2020
Students: Finn Nankivell, Cian Glynn
Project: Lost
School: Stratford College, 1 Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Teacher: Helen O'Kelly Conor Casey
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICES GRAND AWARD 2020
Students: Dara Newsome, Conor Bradshaw, David Hughes
Project: Specs - An Adapted Spectacle System for Dementia Patients
School: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Teacher: Eimear Nolan
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL DEVICES RUNNER-UP AWARD 2020
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AWARD 2020
Student: Ellen Woodward
Project: ‘Inside Out’ – A Wearable Device that Externalises Internal Emotions
School: Ursuline College Sligo, Finisklin Rd, Sligo Teacher: Anthony Carolan
SPECSAVERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE GRAND AWARD 2020
Students: Molly Cunnane, Katie Hannelly Ellen Woodward
Project: Our Farmers – ‘Deaf as Doornails?’ An Investigation into the Effect of Machine Noise on
our Farmers’ Hearing
School: Castlerea Community School, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Teacher: Pauline Dervin
SPECSAVERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE RUNNER-UP AWARD 2020
Students: Sean Moloney, Michael Ware
Project: To Research the Challenges of Transitioning from Primary to Secondary School for
Students with Autism
School: St Brogan's College, Kilbrogan, Bandon, Co. Cork Teacher: Norma Sheahan
Intel Technology Award 2020 Dara Newsomwe
Students: Dara Newsome, Conor Bradshaw, David Hughes
Project: Specs - An Adapted Spectacle System for Dementia Patients
Conor Bradshaw
School: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Teacher: Eimear Nolan David Hughes
SCIFEST LIFE SCIENCES AWARD 2020
Student: Giulia Baratta
Project: Toxicological Investigation of Pesticides Using Paramecium as a Model Organism
School: St Andrew's College, Booterstown Ave, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Teacher: Hilary Rimby
THEA AWARD 2020
Students: Alice Davoren, Emily Cullinan
Project: The Effect of Greywater on Soil Nutrients and Earthworm Population
School: Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare Teacher:John Sims
ISTA AWARD 2020
Students: Erinn Leavy, Sophie McCardle Alice Davorin
Project: An Analysis of Physiological and Running Metrics in 3 km Cross Country Running in
Comparison to Track and Treadmill
Emily Cullinan
School: St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth Teacher: John White
SCIFEST SCIENTIST OF THE FUTURE AWARD 2020
Student: Aoibheann Mangan
Project: Hospital Holly and Henry - A Mobile Trinal Interactive Solution to Eradicate Children's Fears
of Medical Procedures
School: Mount St Michael Secondary School, Convent of Mercy, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Teacher: Paula Campbell
EXCELLENCE IN STEM AWARDS
Each of the finalists has been sent an Excellence in STEM Award to mark their achievement in reaching Sean Moloney
the National Final of SciFest 2020.
Michael Ware
Page 3
SCIFEST 2020 NATIONAL FINAL
Speaking at the National Final Norma Foley SciFest is an excellent initiative that
TD, Minister for Education and Skills said: supports and enhances these skills in our
“We live in a rapidly changing world and we students. I am very impressed by the
must respond by preparing our young standard of projects displayed on the
people with the skills and knowledge to platform and the amount of work that
thrive in such an environment. It is really students and, of course, teachers and
Norma Foley TD, fantastic to see so many young people parents have put into each and every one. I
Minister for Education looking to future careers in STEM fields. want to congratulate all the students, their
These subjects are crucial for equipping our families and mentors; the future of STEM in
young people with creativity, adaptability, Ireland is clearly very bright. The standard
problem-solving and critical thinking – skills was incredibly high, and I wish hearty con-
which are so important for their future. gratulations to Caoimhín on his success.”
Aoibheann
REGENERON
ISEF 2021
Giulia Baratta
The Regeneron International Science and 2021. In the eight years in which SciFest
Engineering Fair (ISEF) which takes place has participated in Regeneron ISEF SciFest
annually in America is the world’s largest students have won a total of 12 major
international pre-college science awards.
competition, involving some 1,800 students
from over 80 countries competing for a prize Caoimhín O'Leary, as SciFest SFI STEM
fund totalling $5million. Each year since Champion 2020, wil represent Ellen Ireland
Woodward at
2012 the SciFest overall winner/s have Regeneron ISEF 2021. All of the projects
Ellen at
Woodward
Erinn Leavy
Sophie McCardle travelled with their teacher to America to this year's National Final were of a very high
represent Ireland and compete at this standard so it was decided to send a second
prestigious fair. This year the competition project and Conor Casey, as the SFI
element of ISEF was cancelled due to Runner-up, will also compete at Regeneron
COVID-19 but it will take place virtually in ISEF 2021.
Finn Nankivell
Cian Glynn
BROADCOM MASTERS
INTERNATIONAL 2021
The Broadcom MASTERS International is a There are 423 science fairs from more than
companion programme to the domestic 80 countries, regions and territories
Broadcom MASTERS competition which affiliated to ISEF including SciFest so we
takes place in America each year. The are very honoured to be invited for the third
programme provides a unique opportunity year running to select a junior student to
Molly Cunnane
for select middle school students from ISEF participate in the Broadcom MASTERS
Katie Hannelly affiliated fairs around the world to International 2021. We are delighted to
participate in selected ISEF events, an announce that the winner of the SciFest
outreach day, and additional specialized 2020 Broadcom MASTERS International
events. The 2021 programme will consist of Award is Eoghan Ó Fearáin from Coláiste
30 delegates representing 27 countries, Ailigh, Letterkenny Co. Donegal.
regions, and territories, including two 2020 Congratulations to Eoghan and to his
Broadcom MASTERS finalists and two local teacher Siobhán Laighneach.
delegates from the US.
Eoghan Ó Fearáin
Page 4
SCIFEST 2020 STEM OUTREACH AWARD
The SciFest STEM Outreach Award is an opportunity
for SciFest National Finalists to communicate their
findings via a 2-minute online video. The videos are
posted on the SciFest website to be voted on by the
public. The video with the most votes wins The STEM
Outreach Award and €300.
The SciFest STEM Outreach Award was introduced
two years ago and has become a very popular part of
the National Final with almost 60,000 votes being
cast this year.
SCIFEST@SCHOOL
2020/2021
Since September a number of schools have hosted SciFest@School fairs and the number
registering for the current academic year grows each day. The first fair took place on 4
November in Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, Co. Cork.
Congratulations to St Paul's Waterford who celebrated their fifth SciFest@School during
Science Week and qualified for a SciFest STEM School Award. Congratulations also to St
Andrew's College who hosted their tenth SciFest@school fair. St Andrew's was also the first
school to avail of the facility to have their top five SciFest@School projects judged by a SciFest
judge via Zoom. SciFest@School
St Andrew's College
SCIFEST@SCHOOL
2020/2021 AWARDS
For each SciFest@School SciFest provides up to five
awards which, for suitable projects, may include:
Award 1. SciFest Best Project Award - rosette plus €20 One4all token to each winner
(maximum 3 per group)
Award 2. SciFest Runner-up Best Project Award - rosette plus €15 One4all token to each SciFest@School
winner (maximum 3 per group) Presentation SS,
Award 3. Society of Irish Foresters (SOIF) Award – rosette for each winner (maximum 3 Ballyphehane
per group)
Award 4. AbbVie Young Innovator Award – rosette for each winner (maximum 3 per group)
Award 5. Bristol-Myers Squibb Passion for STEM Award –rosette for each winner
(maximum 3 per group)
Speaking at the National Final Margie McCarthy, Head of Education & Public Engagement,
Science Foundation Ireland said: “SciFest is a great event for promoting STEM among students
in an inclusive and rigorous way. It is inspiring to see all the work put into each project and I wish
to congratulate all the students as well as their families and friends. Ireland is a global leader in
many aspects of STEM and if we wish to build on this success in the future, we must encourage
a love of the field among our young people. It is great to see so many innovative projects on
display this year, it gives us great hope for the future of STEM in Ireland and we would like to
congratulate Caoimhín on his success today.”
Page 5
THE SCIFEST TEAM
SHEILA PORTER HUGO ROWSOME
GEORGE PORTER
FOUNDER AND CEO PROJECT MANAGER
CFO
TIM REGAN CATHERINE TATTERSALL SEAN FOLEY ANNE LYNCH
SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICERS
Contact Details: More than 10,000 students participate in SciFest
Email: info@scifest.ie each year making it the biggest second-level
Mobile: 0863796143 STEM fair programme in Ireland.
Website: www.scifest.ie SciFest is free to enter at all levels.
Access to the SciFest National Final Platform will be available from 21 November for 90 days.
You are invited to visit the platform, view the finalists' projects and watch the presentations on
playback at https://scifestfinal2020.ie.
Page 6
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