Derry's young scientists invited to SciFest@College NorthWest NI 2024

SciFest@College 2024 NorthWest NI which takes place in St Mary's College, Derry on 25 June is currently accepting entries from post-primary students. The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms is Sunday, 2 June 2024.

SciFest@College NorthWest NI is a platform for post-primary scientific creativity and innovation. SciFest was created to encourage an interest in, and love of, the STEM subjects.

Supported by project partners Intel Ireland, Boston Scientific, and EirGrid, SciFest is Ireland’s largest STEM fair open to second-level students throughout the island. Since its inception in 2006, over 100,000 students have participated.

The mission of SciFest is to ensure that every secondary school student has the opportunity to develop crucial STEM skills through participation in a STEM fair, irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.

Operating locally in schools and regionally in colleges throughout the academic year, it culminates in the National Finals in November. Being free to enter, SciFest is highly inclusive and accessible.

St Mary’s College will serve as a stage for young scientists from post-primary schools in the locality to showcase their innovative projects and their passion for STEM. Participants will showcase a diverse range of projects spanning various categories such as Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Technology.

Student preparation for SciFest@College involves dedicating time to refining their ideas, conducting experiments, and compiling comprehensive project reports. Equipped with visually captivating displays, participants will be ready to dazzle the judges. 

Other regional venues include Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), Technological University (TU) Dublin (Blanchardstown, Grangegorman, and Tallaght campuses), Munster Technological University (MTU) (Cork and Tralee campuses), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) (Athlone, Limerick, and Thurles campuses), South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow and Waterford, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) (Donegal, Sligo, and Galway campuses), Dublin City University (DCU).

Runner-up Best Project Award winner Amelia Doherty (Foyle College) with her project “What 2 Wear Sustainable Fashion App” at SciFest@College NorthWest NI 2023

At each venue, students have the opportunity to compete for an array of prestigious awards, recognising excellence in various categories including Best Project Award, Runner-up Best Project Award, Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award, EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award, Intel Technology Award, SciFest Physics Award, Business Excellence Institute Award, SciFest Communication Award,  SciFest Maths in Science Award, Regeneron Life Sciences Award, Dawn Meats Agricultural Science Award, SciFest Chemistry Award, ESERO Discover Space Award, and the Irish Science Teachers' Association Student Award.

SciFest@College NorthWest NI 2024 is getting ready to host the forthcoming cohort of trailblazers, innovators, and solution-seekers. For further details on SciFest, visit the official website at www.scifest.ie.