SCIFEST EZINE | VOLUME 9,NUMBER 2, NOVEMBER 2017 SciFest Celebrating 10


Years of Science for All The SciFest science fair programme was launched nationwide by the then Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, TD in the Science Gallery in Trinity College, Dublin on 11 April 2008.


FAST FACTS ‘Science Foundation Ireland is


very proud to support SciFest. Our aim is to promote an awareness of STEM across the country and to


also encourage people to engage with STEM in their everyday


lives. We know that engaging young people at an early age is crucial. SciFest is an important grassroots event that promotes STEM among students, not just for one day, but throughout the year, at local and regional science fairs. Students in turn have the opportunity to make their


interests a reality by developing projects that push the boundaries of science in new and exciting ways.’


The number of students participating in SciFest has increased from 1600 in 2008 to 10,000 in 2017


Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy & Communications, Science Foundation Ireland


The number of teachers participating in SciFest has increased from 150 in 2008 to 625 in 2017


Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, Gerry Nolan, Intel, Sheila Porter, Founder and Peter Brabazon, Discover Science and Engineering at the launch of the SciFest Programme in 2008


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‘SciFest creates opportunities for students to work cooperatively with others on areas of local,


national and/or global scientific and engineering


The number of schools participating has increased from 100 in 2008 to 298 in 2017


interest. Through participation at SciFest events students develop skills sets that will inspire and shape the next generation of creative problem solvers and entrepreneurs. Such skills sets


will be required to address future global concerns of food, water and energy security, create wealth to sustain growth and


SciFest students have won 8 major awards in the 6 years in which they have been competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)


provide better health services and better infrastructure.’


Sarah Sexton, Communications Manager, Intel Ireland


The number of teachers participating has increased from 150 in 2008 to 625 in 2017


SciFest students have won 3 major awards in the 3 years in which they have been competing in the International Environment and Sustainability Project Olympiad (INESPO


The number of SciFest STEM fairs has increased from 9 in 2008 to 88 in 2017


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