Jack Shannon: A Journey from SciFest to International Acclaim
Jack Shannon’s journey from a curious thirteen-year-old to an internationally recognised young researcher has been nothing short of inspiring. This November, he exhibited his groundbreaking research at the prestigious Sigma Xi International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRE) in Washington, DC, earning a First Place Category Award in Environmental Science. As further recognition of his research Jack has been inducted into Sigma Xi, an organization founded in 1886 to recognise the best and brightest minds in science and engineering. Membership of Sigma Xi to date has included some 200 Nobel Laureates.
Jack’s path to international recognition began in 2019 when he first entered SciFest. As a student at Clongowes Wood College, Jack’s project, ‘A Comparison of Air Pollution in Study and Recreational Areas in Clongowes Wood College’, earned him the Runner-up Award at his SciFest@School. That same year, he claimed the Environmental Award at SciFest@DCU, showcasing his early ability to address critical environmental issues. This marked the beginning of Jack's rapid rise in the Irish scientific community.
By 2021, Jack's growing expertise in STEM earned him an award in the Intermediate Life Sciences category at SciFest@College in DCU. But it was 2023 that became the real turning point in his journey. Having won the Best Project Award at SciFest@College at DCU, he went on to be crowned the SciFest STEM Champion 2023 at the SciFest National Final. This incredible achievement underscored his dedication to scientific innovation and problem-solving. Jack’s award-winning project, ‘Ireland’s Carbon Sinks – Remote Sensing for Monitoring Peatland Restoration’, showcased the innovative use of remote sensing technologies such as multispectral, LiDAR, SAR, and InSAR to monitor and assess peatland restoration. His research, focusing on two Irish bogs, contributed crucial insights into how these methods can aid in tracking restoration progress and combating climate change.
Winning the SciFest STEM Champion title set the stage for Jack’s participation in the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Regeneron ISEF, the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, involved 1,700 students from over 67 countries and territories competing for a prize fund totalling $9 million. At ISEF, Jack represented Ireland with distinction, winning First Place in the Environmental Engineering category and also the EUCYS Award. The latter granted Jack an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Katowice, Poland, in September. Building on his success at Regeneron ISEF, Jack travelled to Katowice in September, where he competed against 150 participants from nearly 40 countries and secured the International Swiss Talent Forum Award. This achievement will see him attending the forum in Switzerland for five days next February, further solidifying his status as one of Ireland’s most promising young innovators.
In Washington in November, Jack stood out among the brightest minds at IFoRE. This forum is not just a research event; it’s a platform where future leaders in science share ideas and push the boundaries of knowledge. For Jack, his First Place Category Award in Environmental Science reflects years of hard work and serves as a beacon for young researchers globally. Jack's peers, teachers, and the larger academic community, including SciFest, have cheered him on throughout his journey, watching his transformation from a curious student to an intellectual force. His success places him among the brightest young minds globally, proving that dedication to scientific inquiry can lead to extraordinary international opportunities.
SciFest’s mission to provide a supportive environment for young researchers has been exemplified in Jack’s journey. His repeated participation in SciFest allowed him to grow as a researcher, refining his skills and taking his work to new heights. By participating in SciFest, Jack advanced to larger platforms such as Regeneron ISEF, EUCYS, and IFoRE, gaining international recognition for his contributions. Jack's story illustrates how SciFest nurtures the next generation of scientific talent and inspires countless students to push beyond their limits.
For Jack, this is just the beginning. His triumph at IFoRE is likely to open doors to even greater achievements. Jack Shannon’s name is sure to become synonymous with pioneering work in STEM, and his journey will undoubtedly inspire future generations of innovators.