Sheila Porter, CEO, SciFest Ltd SciFest Ltd – Teacher Presentation

2013

SciFest Ltd What is is a series of local one-day science fairs hosted by the Institutes of Technology (ITs) and the University of Ulster open to all second-level students Each fair includes a competition and exhibition of projects science talks and demonstrations in the IT’s laboratories information on STEM courses available in the IT a prize-giving ceremony SciFest aims to encourage a love of science through an investigative approach to learning and to provide an opportunity for students to display their scientific discoveries.

SciFest Ltd Third level Colleges are Nationwide 1.Athlone 2.Blanchardstown 3.Carlow 4.Cork 5.Derry 6.Dublin 7.Dundalk 8.Galway/Mayo 9.Letterkenny 10.Limerick 11.Sligo 12.Tallaght 13.Tipperary 14.Tralee 15.Waterford Venues

SciFest Ltd - Sample Programme

The Growth of SciFest Year Number of students and projects 2006 – 2013

SciFest Ltd Selling the Idea to Students Participating in SciFest provides an opportunity for students to: investigate a topic of their choice investigate a topic that links to their everyday lives and society show off their work in a small student friendly environment visit a third-level college Use other skills that may not normally be recognised, e.g. presentation, ICT, design, PR, skills, etc. Enjoy a day out of school with like-minded students Smiling faces of students having a good time at

SciFest Ltd The Teacher’s Role The smiling faces of teachers having a good time at guide encourage ask questions listen to responses promote an effective learning environment Enjoy a day out of school with like-minded teachers

SciFest Ltd SciFest – Science by inquiry in Action State Problem Look around, ask questions, identify a problem, state a hypothesis Research Gather as much information about the topic as possible Investigate Design and carry out experiments to test the hypothesis. Collect data Analyse Analyse the data, discuss the findings Conclude Come up with a possible solution to the original problem Present findings at SciFest Present

The Website –

SciFest Ltd SciFest Website, – Support materialswww.scifest.ie A beginner’s guide to doing a SciFest Project A Science by Inquiry module suitable for Transition Year Two modules downloadable from the website

SciFest Ltd Other support materials include: Guidelines for entrants Advice on project report book, visual display & oral presentation Sample projects How to impress the judges Tips for exhibiting at SciFest Support panel of experienced teachers Useful websites And lots more! SciFest Website, – Support materialswww.scifest.ie

SciFest Ltd How Does Fit into the School Year? First Year and Second Year Excellent preparation for Junior Certificate Science The investigation if suitable could be submitted as the actual Coursework B Investigation Transition Year End-of-year science activity for Transition Year students See Transition Year Module ‘Science by Inquiry’ downloadable from Fifth Year sExtra-curricular activity for Fifth Years

SciFest Ltd Categories Age Categories Junior: 1 st Year and 2 nd Year Intermediate: 3 rd Year and 4 th Year Senior: 5 th Year and 6 th Year Project Type Individual Group - (Max. 3 students per group – all group members must be in attendance at the exhibition) Project Categories Physical Sciences Life Sciences Technology

SciFest Ltd SciFest National Final Each year in November the SFI/DSE best project award winners from the 15 venues are invited to compete in a national final All the SFI/DSE best project award winners are presented with a SciFest Excellence in Science crystal plaque One project is selected by a team of judges to represent Ireland at the Intel international Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May in the USA All the key stakeholders plus teachers, parents/guardians, regional organisers, etc. are invited to the celebrations SciFest National Final 2012

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