2013 @

Welcome to the 6 th annual SciFest organised in the North Western region by the Institute of Technology Sligo, at the Knocknarea Arena (Multi-purpose area) on Friday 3rd of May 2013

We Would like your Students to participate !!!

SciFest is an exciting science competition open to all second-level students. The aim of the competition is to encourage a love of science through enquiry-based learning and to give students an opportunity to display their projects and possibly win prizes.

SciFest is a local one-day ‘mini’ Young Scientist exhibition open to all second-level students. There is no entry fee and all projects are accepted. Each event is smaller and less formal than the YSTE but still with serious science as the main criterion for a good project.

Exhibiting at SciFest will give you an opportunity to develop and present your Science projects, this is a rewarding experience in itself but in addition, some of you may be encouraged to develop your projects further and successfully present in the YSTE in 2012.

In 2010 we had an entry of 121 exhibits to the competition and an involvement of 297 students from the North West region. County’s Sligo, Mayo, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon and Cavan were represented with entries in all three categories, Life sciences, Physical sciences and Technology.

Summary Table of numbers and types of Project in 2011 (from the same catchment region):

Total No. of Projects 125Total No. of Students 309

No. of projectsAge Category Junior 61 Intermediate 56 Senior 8 Project Type Individual 14 Group 111 Project Category Physical Sciences 40 Life Sciences 73 Technology 12 Discover Sensors Yes 18 No 107 Young Scientist 2011 Yes 13 No 112

Summary Table of numbers and types of Project for last year, in 2012 (from the same catchment region):

Total No. of Projects 97Total No. of Students 237

No. of projectsAge Category Junior 60 Intermediate 33 Senior 4 Project Type Individual 10 Group 87 Project Category Physical Sciences 32 Life Sciences 54 Technology 11 Discover Sensors Yes 16 Previous SciFest

NoYes

8114

No 82

Young Scientist 2011 Yes 14 No 83

Summary Table of numbers and types of Project for this year, 2013

Total No. of Projects 131Total No. of Students 312

No. of projectsAge Category Junior 63

Intermediate 63Senior 5

Project Type Individual 18Group 113

Project Category Physical Sciences 39Life Sciences 80Technology 12

Previous SciFest Yes 26No 105

Young Scientist 2013 Yes 17No 113

Parking Car-parking will be available at the venue

Display Arrangements Each project will be allocated a display board (1200 mm wide x 900 mm high) which is “Velcro friendly” – Velcro not supplied;

[Note that display area is A1-Landscape. We recommend that each competitor purchase an A1 poster board, and mounts all material on it before arrival. As A1 is awkward to carry and the display material will be vulnerable in transit, an useful alternative is:

(i) purchase 2 x A2 poster boards;

(ii) lay them side by side vertically (portrait style), to give A1-Landscape overall; (iii) tape them together on the back; (iv) mount material, avoiding centre line if possible; (v) fold over with mounted material on the inside; (vi) wrap/bag if possible, giving a protected, easily carried A2 parcel].

Each project will also be allocated a standard size table, immediately in front of display board, allowing for display of project folder and any other items needing a horizontal surface

Catering Arrangements

Sandwiches or light lunch will be available for purchase in the College Canteen, for competitors and teachers. It will be served at approx. 12.15p.m. in the Main Canteen on campus. Teachers will be provided with vouchers to the value of €8 to help cover the cost of lunch, which can be used only inthe College Canteen. Unfortunately student lunches will not be subsidised this year. College Canteen is Building A on map; come across car park and into main entrance of IT, turn right on entrance and straight through to canteen.

Project Set Up Arrangements

Students should plan to arrive at the IT Sligo before 9.00a.m. on Friday 3 rd May (building open from 8a.m.).

Projects should be set up by 9.45a.m. at the latest, in time for opening Opening ceremony at 10.00am Electrical power will be provided, only for those projects requesting it in advance

Judging Arrangements

Every project will be visited by at least 2 judges Judging will commence at 10.00a.m. and continue until 12.15p.m. Each judge/team of judges will spend approximately 10 minutes at a project Students are reminded to take their project folder to the event Each individual competitor, or at least one of a group, must be present at their stand 10.00a.m

– 12.15p.m.

Arrangements for Visits by School Groups

We expect to be able to accommodate School groups to attend the afternoon part of the event, but please advise us re numbers and means of transport (e.g. size of bus, if relevant)

School visits are scheduled from 1p.m. to 3.40p.m. on the day. From 1p.m. to 3p.m., we are organizing Lab Demonstrations and Lectures on Science Topics,

Careers in Science, and Science Course Options, for both competitors and visitors We may not have room for visitors to attend award ceremony, but we hope to able to give them

an opportunity to view the entries.

Arrangements for publicity

To promote the event, IT Sligo may take photographs of students with their projects. .

Supervision of students

It is vital that the teachers supervise the students while in the Institute. In particular, students need to be at their stands during judging, as the judges will be under time pressure, and may not easily get back if they miss someone.

Certification

In recognition of the work carried out on the project, each student will receive a certificate of entry from IT Sligo;

Prize-winners will receive appropriate Certificates (in addition to prizes) Highly Commended projects will also receive certificates We will also acknowledge the effort of teachers in support of their students

Categories-

LS Life Science

T Technology

PS Physical Sciences

Age Groups

J Junior 1st and 2nd year

I Intermediate 3rd 4th (transition year)

S Senior 5th and 6th year

Awards Prizes will be awarded in the following Categories: 1. Special Awards; 2. Local Awards

1. Special Awards

SciFest@SFI Intel ISEF Award

The Best Project Award winners from each SciFest@College 2013 venue will participate in a national final competition which will take place in the Science Gallery, Trinity College, on 22 November 2013. The prize for the overall winner(s) at this national competition will include the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2014 which will take place in Los Angeles, California from 11-16 May 2014. The winner(s) will be accompanied at ISEF by their teacher/mentor and  all expenses will be paid.

The following awards will be presented at each SciFest@College 2013 event.

SFI/Discover Science and Engineering Best Project Award Trophy

Intel Award (Best Physical Science or Technology Project)* Trophy

Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award Trophy

Newstalk Best Communicator Award Trophy

PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award Trophy

NCE-MSTL Maths in Science Award

(National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and

Learning)

Trophy

Sustainable Energy Award (SEAI)** Trophy

Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland)*** Trophy

Discover Space Teacher Award (ESERO Ireland) Space Atlas

RSC Teacher of Chemistry Award (Royal Society of Chemistry Education

Division)****

Engraved

plaque

 

Intel Award*

This prize will be awarded to the best project in the Physical Sciences and Technology categories. If the overall best project is awarded in either the Physical Sciences or the Technology category this prize will be awarded to the next best project in these categories.

Sustainable Energy Award**

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's role is to transform Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. It has a vision of making Ireland a recognised global leader in sustainable energy. SEAI's schools programme aims to help form good long term behaviours and attitudes to energy efficiency. SEAI is delighted to sponsor an award that will encourage and reward thought, investigation, debate and action on the future of energy in Ireland and throughout the world.Criteria: The award will be presented to the project that demonstrates one or more of the following:

Energy efficiency in action Investigation into renewable energy Awareness raising of a topic related to sustainable energy

 Discover Space Award***

The European Space Education Resource Office Ireland (ESERO Ireland) is a project co-funded by SFI/Discover Science and Engineering and the European Space Agency. The aim of the project is to use space as a theme to support the teaching of science and maths through the provision of resources, inspirational materials and training for teachers.Criteria: The award is presented to the project which best uses Space as a theme in science, technology or maths. Space education information and resources are available from www.esero.ie.The Discover Space Teacher Award will be presented to the teacher who mentored the student(s) who were awarded the Discover Space Award.

RSC Teacher of Chemistry Award****

This award will be presented to the teacher who mentored the student(s) who were awarded the PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award.

2. Local Awards

SciFest 2013 is sponsored by

Roche Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, Institute of Physics, Irish Science Teachers’ Association, Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd., Beckman Coulter (LIT), Cook Medical Ireland (LIT), Limerick County Council Environmental Section (LIT), Janssen Pharmaceuticals (CIT), Student Services Co. Ltd (CIT)

First Prize in each category sponsored by IT Sligo. Second Prize in each category sponsored by IT Sligo. Certificates will be awarded by IT Sligo to all highly commended

projects

Our judges have kindly agreed to give up their time to come along and take part in what we hope will be a very exciting day for all involved, They are representing the IT, Local Industry, the HSE and St Angela’s College they are looking forward to meeting all of you and finding out more about your projects.

Thank you all for entering the competition and we hope that you will enjoy your day in IT Sligo, and continue your studies in Science and Technology. Good luck in the competition today.

P P Project P

http://scifest.ie/2013-sponsors

http://scifest.ie/

Sheila Porter,CEO, SciFest Ltd 

SciFest T: +353 1 298 8312M: +353 86 379 6143   E: sheila.porter@scifest.ie   W: www.scifest.ie

Local Sligo Sponsors

Bank of Ireland: IT Sligo Branch

Like SciFest on Facebook

Follow SciFest on Twitter

Watch SciFest on YouTube

Scifest 2013 @IT Sligo

Programme of events.

9.00am Arrival and Set-up

9.45am Official opening by Dr Jeremy Bird, Head of School of Science, IT Sligo (master of ceremonies);

followed by Official Welcoming address by Dr. Terri Scott President of the Institute of Technology, Sligo.

10.00am Judging begins (judges meeting first)

(3rd year IT Sligo Forensic students in SciFest Tee-shirts available as Helpers and Guides)

12.15pm Lunch for Competitors and Teachers in main canteen.

Soup and Sandwiches for Judges in Knocknarea Arena.

1.00-3pm Tour for students in schools of Science, Computing and Engineering, including Demonstrations of robotics (Ross McMorrow) and Computer Gaming (Neil Gannon)

(Assemble at main reception of IT)

3.15pm Prize giving ceremony and Close of Exhibition

Short Closing address by Dr. Terri Scott

President of the Institute of Technology, Sligo.

Followed by Presentation of the Prizes

Presentation Table and Chairs on Podium: Dr.Terri Scott, Dr Jeremy Bird, Sheila Porter (SciFest Project Manager), ANO (Coordinator of the Judges)

Dignitaries Table to Side at Front: Presenters of Special Prizes, Guests and Dr. Bill Crowe (Chief Organiser of SciFest at IT Sligo 2012).

Order of Presentation

Age Groups Categories Merit Prize Presented by

Local Awards

1 J Junior (1st and 2nd year)

T Technology Highly CommendedCertificate

Dr. Bill Crowe Chief Organiser Sligo

2 SecondVouchers

Dr Jeremy Bird Head of Science

3 FirstTrophy

Dr. Terri ScottPresident of Institute

4 PS Physical Sciences Highly Commended Certificate Dr. Bill Crowe

5 Third Vouchers Co-ordinator of judges

6 Second Vouchers Dr Jeremy Bird7 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

8 LS Life Science Highly Commended Certificate Dr. Bill Crowe9 Third Vouchers Co-ordinator of judges

10 Second Vouchers Dr Jeremy Bird11 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

12 I Intermediate

3rd and 4th (transition year)

T Technology Highly Commended Certificate Dr. Bill Crowe

13 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

14 PS Physical Sciences Highly Commended Certificate Dr. Bill Crowe

15 Second Vouchers Dr Jeremy Bird

16 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

17 LS Life Science Highly Commended Certificate Dr. Bill Crowe18 Third Vouchers Co-ordinator of judges

19 Second Vouchers Dr Jeremy Bird20 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott21 S Senior 5th and 6th year T Technology Highly Commended Certificate Dr Jeremy Bird22 PS Physical

Sciences Highly Commended Certificate Dr Jeremy Bird

23 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

24 LS Life Science Highly Commended Certificate Dr Jeremy Bird25 First Trophy Dr. Terri Scott

Special Awards

26

Bank of Ireland, Sligo. Business innovation award Prize

Newstalk Best Communicator Award Trophy

PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry

Award Trophy

NCE-MSTL Maths in Science Award

(National Centre for Excellence in

Mathematics and Science Teaching and

Learning)

Trophy

Sustainable Energy Award (SEAI)** Trophy

Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland)*** Trophy

Discover Space Teacher Award (ESERO

Ireland) Space Atlas

RSC Teacher of Chemistry Award (Royal

Society of Chemistry Education

Division)****

Engraved plaque

Abbott Runner-up Best Project Award Trophy

Intel Award (Best Physical Science or Technology Project)* Trophy

SFI/Discover Science and Engineering Best Project Award Trophy

3.40pm Dismantle exhibitions

Instructions for taking part in SciFest 2012 at The Institute of Technology, Sligo

The 6th annual SciFest in the North Western region organised by the Institute of Technology Sligo, will take place at the Knocknarea Arena (Multi-purpose area)

on Friday 3rd of May 2013.

To download entry forms for The Institute of Technology, Sligo event go to the main National Science fest Web site at http://www.scifest.ie/,

Institute of Technology Sligo entry forms are at http://www.scifest.ie/forms.html

Here you will also find all the instructions for entering, http://www.scifest.ie/guidelines.html

instructions on how you should keep your Scientific log book, present your display, communicate your findings http://www.scifest.ie/report.html

and information about the event;

for example the Special Awards available and the main sponsors of the event.

http://www.scifest.ie/sponsors.html

When filling in the forms be sure that parents signatures are signed in the relevant sections, or the forms will be returned to the school, and you may be late for entry.

All entries received on time will be accepted.

The closing date for receipt of entry forms is FRIDAY 8 March 2013 .

There is no late entry.

All the work does not have to be completed by then.

N.B. Projects may be presented in Gaelige as some of our judges are good Gaelic speakers.

No acknowledgements will be given about receipt of entries, because of lack of manpower, (and short time frames), but when the brochure for the day, with the complete list of entries, numbered and in categories, is produced it will be posted on Bill Crowe’s SciFest at IT Sligo website:

http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/ed/Scifest2013.htm

Further information can be found near the time of the event at the Institute of Technology, Sligo Web site: http://itsligo.ie/

or on a more continuous basis on Bill Crowe’s SciFest at IT Sligo website:

http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/styles/frames/ed/Scifest2013.htm

or from the index section of Bill Crowe’s Home Page:

http://staffweb.itsligo.ie/staff/bcrowe/bill/home.htm

or from :

Dr. Bill CroweSciFest Organiser IT Sligo.Dept. Environmental Science,School of Science, Institute of Technology,Ash LaneSligo.Tel: Work 071 9155357mobile 087 6900168E-mail: crowe.bill@itsligo.ie