Advice From a Past Participant
I would highly recommend doing SciFest to anyone! Whether you are in First Year or Sixth Year, SciFest accommodates everyone! The idea for a project can come from something so simple! If you are thinking of entering a project for SciFest, don’t overthink it, try to think of a project around a topic you enjoy. For example, I really enjoy learning about health, so that’s something that made my project enjoyable. Inspiration can also come from hobbies such as sports or dancing. Maybe you are always complaining about a problem and you can see a way it can be fixed? Take the initiative to fix the problem! When doing a project, try and think of different types of investigations you can do to get the most effective results. This always makes a project interesting! SciFest is such an amazing and unforgettable experience! As I have said one really simple idea that I had, turned into a trip of a lifetime. SciFest gives you so many opportunities and while you are doing your project you will learn so many new skills and meet so many new people. In summary, think of something simple and a topic you enjoy doing your project on!
I honestly did not expect to win an award at the regional event in MTU Cork. It was really exciting. I was given the opportunity to have my project picked to go to the SciFest National Final! I could not believe it as all the projects that won across the regional fairs were of such a high standard. At the SciFest National Final it was amazing to say the least. From when you entered the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin the energy was contagious! I enjoyed every second of it. I made so many new friends from around the country with the same passion and like mind for science! I enjoyed seeing Minister Richard Bruton open the event in the morning. The judging was also super exciting and the judges were all so nice and invested into learning about the research I had conducted! The awards ceremony was great! The atmosphere consisted of excitement, laughter and maybe a small bit of nervousness. The SciFest experience was so fun, exciting and original!
NOTE: Miriam Murphy is now in sixth year in Scoil Mhuire gan Smal in Blarney, Co. Cork. Throughout her six years in school Miriam participated in SciFest on a number of occasions. In SciFest 2019 she won the Specsavers Making a Difference Grand Award at the SciFest National Final.