SciFest Sheila Porter, SciFest, Ireland IS EF Educator Academy 2012, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May Establishing and Maintaining a Network of Science Fairs ‘A scalable and exportable model’

Educator Academy 2005 Phoenix, Arizona Action Plan Ireland ‘Use third-level colleges to host regional science fairs’ Action Plan Ireland Accomplished  SciFest – network of science fairs established at local, regional and national level  Over students have exhibited at SciFest science fairs since 2006 Educator Academy 2012 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania SciFest – Educator Academy Story of Success

The Growth of SciFest Year Total Projects Students Number of students and projects 2006 – 2012

Founded by Sheila Porter & piloted in a 3 rd level college2006 Second pilot in 3 rd level college2007 Launched nationwide & hosted by nine 3 rd level colleges2008 Hosted by fifteen 3 rd level colleges 2 new levels of participation introduced:  National Science Fair  Regional Science Fairs  School-based local science fairs 2011 Timeline – Development of SciFest SciFest now established and operating at three levels 2012

SciFest 2012 Science fairs hosted by 15 third-level colleges (Universities and Institutes of Technology) REGIONAL Schools organize their own in-house SciFest science fair LOCAL Best Project Award winners from each regional venue compete at finals – one project selected to represent Ireland at ISEF NATIONAL 2012 – SciFest affiliated to ISEF winners compete at ISEF INTERNATIONAL

 Open to all second-level schools  Online SciFest STEM fairs toolkit  Resources available to registered schools: o Certificate of participation for each student o SciFest promotional giveaways  Representative from SciFest visits on day of event  Innovation – Sharing Expertise: o Panel of experienced retired teachers recruited to support event, to judge projects, etc. LOCAL

REGIONAL  One day science fairs hosted by 15 third-level colleges  Open to all second-level schools  In each third-level college an organising committee is set up An organising committee ideally consists of: o Regional coordinator o Third-level college staff – administrative, academic, technical o ‘Active’ teacher/s from local schools Organising Committee: College staff – administrative, academic and technical

 Judges’ Database: o Third-level colleges use a number of in-house staff as judges o Each third-level college also has access to a national database of volunteer judges – over 60 judges from academia and industry on database to date Standardising Judging  Judges’ Information Pack containing: o Judging at SciFest (How to ask the right questions) o Science and Technology project rubrics - JUDGING REGIONAL

Downloadable from the website  Science-by-Inquiry Booklet  Entry forms  Guidelines for entrants: o Project report book o Visual display & oral presentation  Sponsors & special awards  Volunteer support team of teachers – ONLINE RESOURCES REGIONAL

SciFest provides each of the 15 venues with 9 trophies funded by sponsors from academia and industry Awards given for best project / runner-up / communication / chemistry / maths / energy / space / use of data loggers / biology Category awards supplied by college – Awards REGIONAL  Sponsored by Intel in association with Young Scientists Tanzania  AIM – To provide opportunities for Irish students to work cooperatively with students in Africa on global issues relating to sustainability, e.g. food, water, energy, etc. New Award introduced in 2012 SciFest Global Citizenship & Sustainability Award

NATIONAL  SciFest affiliated to ISEF in 2012  Celebration of Excellence in Science and Launch of following year’s SciFest takes place in Intel each October  Each of the Best Project Award winners presented with an Intel Excellence in STEM medal  Best Project Award winners from each of the 15 regional venues compete for Grand Award – to represent Ireland at ISEF SciFest Grand Award Winners 2012 Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister of State for Training and Skills at the Dept of Education and Skills with Ruairi O’Neill and Eoghan Flynn

 SciFest is primarily funded by Discover Science and Engineering (government body)  Corporate support is provided by Intel Ireland in collaboration with a variety of other corporate sponsors, e.g. Abbott, BT, PharmaChemical Ireland, Dairymaster Ireland, Ericsson  SciFest regional fairs are hosted by third-level colleges SciFest links industry, government and academia Effective Collaboration SciFest

SciFest – The Key Stakeholders 1.Government 2.Industry 3.Third-level Colleges 4.Second-level Schools Third-level colleges Government Industry Second-level schools SciFest Third-level colleges 3

1. Government Department of Education and Skills (DES ) SciFest Supports government strategy to build partnerships and understanding between education and enterprise Supports DES science curriculum inquiry- based approach to teaching & learning of science Supports Project Maths (new maths curriculum) SciFest Encourages skills to support knowledge-based economy

2. Industry SciFest Strengthens industry’s links with third-level colleges Provides insight into educational structures and student standards Facilitates collaboration with local schools SciFest Promotes science and engineering pipeline Provides marketing opportunity Promotes corporate social responsibility

3. Second-level Schools (students) SciFest Enables students to grow in confidence by exhibiting in a small student-friendly environment Encourages an interest in science through inquiry and hands-on activities Gives all students the opportunity to participate in a science fair Links science to students’ everyday lives and society Lowers barriers, bringing the talents of diverse populations into the innovation pipeline SciFest

3. Second-level Schools (teachers) SciFest Promotes a sense of community and a feeling of ownership Supports school visits by SciFest representatives Provides resources to help teachers implement inquiry-based strategies Facilitates a community of educators with similar goals and ideals Provides support for teachers SciFest

4. Third-level Colleges SciFest Links second and third-level education institutions Encourages collaboration with local schools Links third-level colleges and industry Encourages students to continue with their study of science into third-level SciFest Encourages students to visit their local third- level college and view the facilities and courses available

Website One website controlled by the project manager

SciFest - A Scalable Model All second-level schools – Students and Teachers Judges Website One Project Manager SciFest Partners and Sponsors 15 Third-level colleges (15 Regional Coordinators), Industry, Government

SciFest – Critical Success Factors 1.Easily scalable model 2.Centrally coordinated but workload divided: One project manager Regional coordinators (volunteers) in each third-level college 3.One website 4.Locally based, sense of community, feeling of ownership 5.Open to students of all ability and all entries accepted 6.Highly cost effective: Partially funded from National SciFest sponsors Each third-level college covers cost of hosting the event in their own college and canvasses for sponsorship to help cover running costs 7.Buy-in from Government, industry and education

Dare to Dream 4k participants National fair +15 regional + 12 school- based fairs Continuing to grow Developing brand Supports national science and maths curricula 4k participants National fair +15 regional + 12 school- based fairs Continuing to grow Developing brand Supports national science and maths curricula Mass participation Multiple 3 rd level colleges & schools engaged Well known national brand Easily scalable model adopted by other countries Working closely with the Dept of Education & Skills and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Low cost high ROI model Mass participation Multiple 3 rd level colleges & schools engaged Well known national brand Easily scalable model adopted by other countries Working closely with the Dept of Education & Skills and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Low cost high ROI model TodayThe Future

SciFest – Growth Proposal Sheila Porter, SciFest, IrelandISEF Educator Academy 2012, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May Recruit new partners to deliver the goal  A coalition of equal partners shaping, funding, co-owning the brand/product and providing the expertise to enable the SciFest of the future  Partners with an equal passion for science and an interest in promoting the 21 st century skills required to enable industry and provide jobs  Organise by region / geography

SciFest 2010 – The Video

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible St Francis of Assisi GO RAIBH MÍLE MAITH AGAIBH TH A NK YOU! For further information contact:

SciFest Sheila Porter, SciFest, IrelandISEF Educator Academy 2012, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May Additional Information

Educational Environment – Republic of Ireland 3 levels: First level: 510,000 pupils Age level: 5 – 12 years Duration:Junior infants 8 years Senior infants Classes 1 – 6 Second level: 356,000 students Age level: 12 – 18 years Duration:Junior Cycle (Years 1 – 3) 6 years Transition Year Senior Cycle (Years 5 – 6) Third Level: 162,000 students

Other Science Fairs in Ireland Held in Dublin in January each year. 48 years in existence. Standard very high. ISEF affiliated More than 1700 one-page project proposals submitted each year 550 projects accepted for exhibition Financial support from Department of Education and Skills and substantial commercial sponsorship Held in Belfast in June each year. Standard very high. ISEF affiliated Entries, mainly from Northern Ireland but an increasing number of students entering from the Republic Number of entries – Approx 40 science + 65 engineering projects Mainly supported commercially Regional fair for the Big Bang held in London in March 1. Republic of Ireland – BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Two science fairs – no local or regional fairs 2.Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Young Scientist Competition / Seagate Young Innovators (Young Engineers for Britain)

Venues 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

Testimonials “It is the inclusiveness of SciFest and the encouragement of all participants that sets SciFest apart. It recognises how important it is to build a rapport with students across a diverse range of demographic backgrounds. SciFest also puts heavy emphasis on positive encouragement and it is a really lovely accessible day out, a great resource which should be supported.” Jennifer Dixon, Science Teacher, St David’s CBS, Artane “SciFest is a fantastic example of industry, the education sector and government partnering together to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The 34% increase in participation in last year’s competition is a clear sign that SciFest is going from strength-to-strength and reflects the growing interest among students in pursuing STEM related courses at third level.” Ciaran Canon TD, Minister of State for Training and Skills at the Dept of Education and Skills “Abbott sponsors SciFest because it inspires future scientists in Ireland, engages our employees and aligns with our business. It is a valued partnership." Katherine Jensen CSR Manager Abbott “It was an experience I will never forget. I learned a lot that I wouldn’t have in school. Everybody was friendly and the judges were nice. I had a brilliant time and would love to participate again.“ Student Dublin IT

SciFest Budget  Total annual budget 2012 – under $250,000 Breakdown  Website  Promotional goods  Project Manager  Trophies  Grant to each 3 rd level college  Travel expenses  PR  Printing