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SciFest – Choosing an idea and getting started 1. Generate a bit of excitement and enthusiasm for SciFest with a YouTube video

SciFest 2014 National Final – SciFest@SFI Discover

SciFest@College CIT 2017

SciFest@School 2016 St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise

SciFest@School 2016 St Aidan’s Comprehensive, Cootehill

It’s time to come up with an idea for a SciFest project

Visit the official SciFest website

Check out SciFest’s You Tube Channel

Visit and like SciFest on Facebook

Follow SciFest on Twitter

Follow SciFest on Instagram

Read SciFest Ezine

2. Practical work in science requires the students to be divided into groups but before beginning project work it

is a good idea to spend a single period discussing the advantages of group work and how ‘real’ scientists

collaborate to solve real-world problems.

3. Emphasise to the students that as part of a group working on a project they will be taking responsibility for

their own learning and that you, the teacher, will take on the role of facilitator, mentor and resource person.

4. Divide the class into groups of three. Visit the Junior Cycle for Teachers website,

https://www.jct.ie/wholeschool/classroom_strategies.php

5. Show the PowerPoint presentation ‘The scientific method – student presentation’ followed by an actual

investigation ‘Let’s investigate – student presentation’. On the website you will also find two downloadable

modules: ‘Science by Inquiry’ for Transition Year and ‘A Beginners Guide to doing a SciFest Project’ for juniors.

You will also find a number of project ideas and resources.

6. Explain that each group must come up with a research question within a given timeframe and that each group

will have to present their research idea to the rest of the class on an agreed day.

7. Give the students time to discuss their ideas. Run the discussion over at least two single periods so that they

have time to discuss their ideas at home. Spend time with each group, encouraging them to stay focussed

and come up with a clear idea.

8. Get each group to present their research question. Encourage the other groups to evaluate each suggested

project using the following criteria:

a. Is the project feasible?

b. Is there enough time to finish the project?

SciFest is a Gaisce ‘The President’s Award’

Challenge Partner

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c. Are the required resources available?

d. Can actual measurements be taken?

e. Is the project safe?

f. Is the idea original? If not, how could it be made more

original?

9. When all the presentations are complete give the students time to

discuss and refine their ideas. This done ask each group to

brainstorm and come up with a written research plan. This plan

should include: the hypothesis, resources required, experimental plan, team roles and responsibilities and a

timetable.

10. Collect up two copies of each group’s research plan. Review, comment and hand back one copy. Keep the

other copy for future reference. You may have to give some extra help to some groups that are falling behind.

The students are now ready to begin work on their projects.

Deciding on an idea Students should be encouraged to

talk to their parents, their teachers, and their friends

check out the Internet and the school library

watch the news, check out a newspaper, a science book or

magazine

use family contacts: Engineer, Dentist, Scientist, Vet, etc

think about interesting topics in science or investigate a hobby

get a large sheet of paper and brainstorm with their team

make a shortlist of ‘3 best ideas’

research and brainstorm further

visit the library and use the Internet to find out everything you can

about the topic

discuss the ideas with teachers, parents and friends

check that all experiments are safe and that harmful chemicals are not needed

decide on one idea

make out a list of all the things needed

Is the idea workable?

Can measurements be taken

Is there something that can be changed (independent variable)?

Can all other variables be controlled?

Is the equipment available?

Could the project be completed in time

Is there enough information available?

Is there a mentor, i.e., someone from a company, a hospital or a third level college

who might be a source of information and/or resource

Encourage students not be afraid to try something new—they will learn about it along the way

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The Scientific Method

Have a control

Repeat the experiment a number of times

Investigate only one variable

Keep all other factors constant

Be prepared to change the approach when

necessary

Ensure that it is a fair test

BE SAFE

Social and Behavioural Projects

These appear easy but don’t be deceived

Questionnaires and surveys require careful design

Students should Interview a number of experts in the area they are about to study to get ideas and to

identify themes to include in their questionnaire or survey

A pilot survey or questionnaire should be done

A representative sample should always be used

To do a good project the student needs to go beyond basic statistics

The student may need to get help from somebody, e.g., a maths teacher

Health, Safety and Ethical Issues

Before a project involving potentially dangerous, pathogenic, toxigenic

or allergenic organisms (animals/insects, plants or microorganisms) is

undertaken a competent expert must be consulted to advise on health

and safety issues. Where projects involve human participants,

appropriate permission must be obtained and their wellbeing and

privacy must be ensured.

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Teacher’s quote

“Our school has been involved in SciFest for a few years and each year it gets better and

bigger. Our students look forward to the annual invitation to participate and the quality

of judging and courtesy exhibited to them is second to none. Irrespective of their project,

their background, they are treated to an amazing experience, one which features in our

school calendar each year and exposes them to a "third level experience" as well as the

possibility to present their work to scientists and scholars.”

Donal Enright Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

June 2016

Teacher’s quote

“SciFest provides a wonderful opportunity for students of all abilities to work as part of a team and to research and develop

their ideas in an area that interests them. The strength of this competition is its inclusiveness. The competiveness of the more

able students spurs them on to perform and present work of a very high standard while the less academic students are exposed

to and engage in science in a new way. They are just as important as everyone else. They are proud of their work! Maybe

science isn’t too bad after all!”

Dr Oonagh Redmond

SciFest@School, St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

January 2015

Students’ Quote

“When it comes to science competitions, SciFest is the best. It begins at your school, where it’s fun to compete, moves

locally, where you realise how many others are curious about science, and on to a national stage, where the diversity of

projects display the sheer talent of Irish students.”

Eve McGlinchey, Student, St Leo’s College, Carlow

Best Project Award, SciFest@School, SFI Best Project Award winner, SciFest@ITC Spirit of SciFest

Award, SciFest National Final 2015

Students’ Quote

“The experience was life changing and rewarding. Our months of hard work had paid off

as we represented our country and won. Without the constant support and help from those

at Garrabridge, CAPPA, SEAI, and SciFest, our trip would not have been a success. We

came away from our week in Amsterdam with not only pride and a sense of

accomplishment, but with life long memories and friends from all around the world.

SciFest has given us many great experiences and an opportunity to delve into the world

of science. We would strongly encourage students to take part in SciFest to develop their

skills and fulfil their true potential.”

Ellen Fitzgerald, Aoife Dolan and Niamh Nyhan, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

SciFest@INESPO 2015 (International Environment and Sustainability Olympiad, Amsterdam) First Place Gold Medal Award winners

Thomas Curtin and Dylan Moloney, Desmond College with their award-winning project ‘Height Adjustable Crutch’