SciFest
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€64,500
- Organisation:Scifest Limited
- Audience:Post Primary - Junior Cycle
- Format:Formal Education
- Location:carlow;cavan;clare;cork;donegal;dublin;galway;kerry;kildare;kilkenny;laois;leitrim;limerick;longford;louth;mayo;meath;monaghan;offaly;roscommon;sligo;tipperary;waterford;westmeath;wexford;wicklow;online
- Topic:Science
Project Summary
SciFest is Ireland’s largest STEM fair programme for second-level students: over 15,000 students participated in 2023/24, a 29% increase on the previous year. The primary objective is to create a STEM fair programme that is truly accessible to all second-level students, regardless of ability, gender, background, or circumstances. The programme places great emphasis on attracting and engaging underserved populations to promote participation and sustained engagement in STEM.
Operating throughout the school year and spanning all of Ireland, SciFest is committed to creating authentic STEM opportunities in all communities. SciFest is free to enter and operates at local, regional and national level.
SciFest taps into the talents and potential of diverse populations, channelling them into the innovation pipeline. This dedication to accessibility has been a driving force behind the programme’s success, as it empowers students from all walks of life to explore, discover and excel in the world of STEM.
The SciFest programme is implemented at four levels:
– Local: SciFest@School STEM fairs in schools, TCPID and Teen-Turn. SciFest supports schools to host their own STEM fair with prizes, certificates, posters, ‘freebies’, a teacher’s pack and help with judging.
– Regional: SciFest@College 15 STEM fairs hosted in the technological universities, DCU and DkIT. A 16th fair is held in partnership with St Mary’s College, Derry.
– National: The annual SciFest National Final brings together award winners from the SciFest@College fairs. Projects are evaluated by a panel of expert judges from academia, business and government.
– International: Winners from the National Final participate in international events.