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Sheila Porter, CEO, SciFest Ltd SciFest Ltd
SciFest@College – Teacher Presentation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xdNAKW2AfU
SciFest@College 2013
SciFest Ltd
What is SciFest@College?
SciFest@College 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 SciFest@College 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
SciFest @College Venues
SciFest Ltd
SciFest@College - Sample Programme
The Growth of SciFest 2006 - 2013
Year
Number
Number of students and projects 2006 – 2013
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
ProjectsStudents
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@College
SciFest Ltd
The Teacher’s Role
The smiling faces of teachers having a good time at SciFest@College
• 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 aspossible
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
SciFest Ltd
SciFest Website, www.scifest.ie – Support materials
• 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, www.scifest.ie – Support materials
SciFest Ltd
How Does SciFest@College 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 www.scifest.ie
Fifth Year • Extra-curricular activity for
Fifth Years
SciFest Ltd
SciFest@College Categories
Age Categories
•Junior: 1st Year and 2nd Year
•Intermediate: 3rd Year and 4th Year
•Senior: 5th Year and 6th 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
THANK YOU!
For further information contact:
www.scifest.ie
