Sheila Porter SciFest National Coordinator March 2008

Student Presentation

What is SciFest?What is SciFest?

A festival of science

open to all second-level students which

encourages a love of science through

enquiry- based learning

and provides an opportunity for students to display

their scientific

discoveries

Who Can Enter SciFest?Who Can Enter SciFest?

SciFest is open to all second-level students

Age Category:Age Category:

Junior - 1Junior - 1stst Year and 2 Year and 2nd nd Year YearIntermediate - 3Intermediate - 3rd rd Year and 4 Year and 4thth Year YearSenior - 5Senior - 5th th Year and 6 Year and 6thth Year Year

Project Type:Project Type:

IndividualIndividual Group - (Max. 3 students per group – all group members must Group - (Max. 3 students per group – all group members must

be in attendance at the exhibition be in attendance at the exhibition))

Project Category:Project Category:

Physical SciencesPhysical Sciences Life SciencesLife Sciences TechnologyTechnology

Sample Programme 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

SciFestSciFest IT TallaghtIT Tallaght

Local celebrity invited to perform opening ceremony

2006 - Pat Rabbitte TD

2007 – Dr Éanna Ní Lamhna

AwardsAwards

Cash awards

Prizes

Trophies

Students enjoying lunch

Students’ demo-Robotics

And moreAnd more

Certificates

SciFest 2008

This is to certify that

Ann Jones

From

St Mary’s School

has entered and

presented a project in

SciFest 2008

Athlone Institute of Technology

New Award for 2008New Award for 2008

Discover Sensors AwardDiscover Sensors AwardSponsored by the Discover Sensors Project Sponsored by the Discover Sensors Project (www.discoversensors.ie)(www.discoversensors.ie)

School Prize: TrophySchool Prize: TrophyStudent Prize: €100 (Group €150)Student Prize: €100 (Group €150)Teacher Prize LaptopTeacher Prize Laptop

One award may be presented at each Institute of Technology for the One award may be presented at each Institute of Technology for the

best project in any area of science or technology where the best project in any area of science or technology where the

investigation involves substantial use of one or more digital sensors.investigation involves substantial use of one or more digital sensors.

Discover Sensors Award

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

Log onto www.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

Check out the SciFest website

www.scifest.ie ‘Project Ideas’

Deciding on an Idea

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

Remember

YOU CAN DO IT

Ideas come when you least expect them !

Brilliant idea!!!

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

Research and Brainstorm

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

Remember

Check that you are not planning any dangerous experiments or using harmful equipment or chemicals

Be Safe

3.3. VISUAL DISPLAYVISUAL DISPLAY Should be bright, attractive, clear and concise

A Completed Project Must ContainA Completed Project Must Contain

2.2. SUMMARYSUMMARY (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

See website www.scifest.ie – Report Book and Presentation

1.1. PROJECT REPORT BOOKPROJECT REPORT BOOK Title Page Title Page Introduction Introduction Background ResearchBackground Research Experimental MethodsExperimental Methods ResultsResults Conclusions and RecommendationsConclusions and Recommendations AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements AppendicesAppendices ReferencesReferences

Project Report

Is the viscosity of oil affected by heat?

Jessica DeeMary Jones

Louise wardSt Anne’s School

Co Limerick

The Website -The Website - www.scifest.ie SciFest 2008 SciFest 2008

- - Guidelines for entrantsGuidelines for entrants

- Entry Forms- Entry Forms

- Report Book and Presentation- Report Book and Presentation

Transition Year Module ‘Science by Inquiry’Transition Year Module ‘Science by Inquiry’

Project Ideas (12 ideas on the website)Project Ideas (12 ideas on the website)

Exhibition Dates and ContactsExhibition Dates and Contacts

Links and ResourcesLinks and Resources

Media CentreMedia Centre

and more …………………………..and more …………………………..

Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 14 March 2008Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 14 March 2008

Exhibition DatesExhibition Dates

Institute of Institute of TechnologyTechnology

SciFest 2008SciFest 2008

Exhibition DateExhibition Date

Institute of Institute of TechnologyTechnology

SciFest 2008SciFest 2008

Exhibition DateExhibition Date

AthloneAthlone ThursdayThursday

1 May1 May

SligoSligo FridayFriday

25 April25 April

CarlowCarlow WednesdayWednesday

30 April30 April

TallaghtTallaght FridayFriday

2 May2 May

CorkCork Tuesday Tuesday

29 April29 April

TipperaryTipperary ThursdayThursday

8 May8 May

DublinDublin ThursdayThursday

1 May1 May

WaterfordWaterford TuesdayTuesday

29 April29 April

LimerickLimerick ThursdayThursday

1 May1 May

Be a part of something BIG

SciFest