The Long Night of Science in Berlin Award
By Sarah Harte and Méabh O’Sullivan, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
August 2024
As fourth-year students beginning our project “Cycle4Charge” at the start of the 2022 school year, we could hardly have imagined the incredible opportunity that awaited us—to travel to Berlin. Our mission was to harness the power of cycling to charge a mobile phone. Our device, designed and constructed, attaches to a bicycle and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy sufficient to charge a phone. Through calculations involving time, distance, and power output, we determined the optimal cycling conditions needed for effective phone charging.
We took our project a step further by surveying potential users about the practicality and desirability of our device. This feedback not only validated our concept but also offered insights into potential improvements and market demand.
In April 2023, we had the chance to participate in the SciFest competition at Munster Technological University. To our delight, our hard work was recognised with the Business Excellence Award and the Climate and Delivering a Cleaner Future Award. These accolades propelled us to the national stage at the SciFest National Finals in November 2023, where our project earned us the prestigious Berlin Long Night of Sciences Award. We were both shocked and thrilled when the judges announced our names. This experiential award—a trip to Berlin—was generously supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and organised by the Irish Embassy in Berlin. From June 20th to 23rd, we, and our teacher, Ms. Claire Holland, were immersed in a series of enriching experiences.
On June 20th, we embarked on our long-awaited journey to Berlin. Upon landing at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, we got our first glimpse of the city as we took the train to the eclectic city centre. The next morning, we eagerly visited the Embassy of Ireland, where we were warmly welcomed. We engaged in insightful conversations with John Lynam, Deputy Head of Mission, and Róisín Martin, Assistant Public Diplomacy Officer about the work that they do, and enjoyed a tour of the prestigious building. It would be remiss not to mention the delicious pastries and tea we were kindly served on beautiful Irish Government bone china.
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| Méabh, Sarah and their teacher, Claire Holland are welcomed to the Irish Embassy in Berlin by John Lynam, Deputy Head of Mission |
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Méabh and Sarah meet Róisín Martin, Assistant Diplomacy Officer, Embassy of Ireland Berlin |
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The Embassy of Ireland in Berlin |
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| Sightseeing and attending the Berlin Long Night of Science |
Our Berlin itinerary was as diverse as it was enriching. After our visit to the embassy, we explored historical landmarks such as the Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie, gaining profound insights into Germany’s past. After lunch, we visited Futurium, where interactive exhibits sparked discussions about the future of our planet. One memorable moment was enjoying the city’s beautiful scenery from Futurium’s rooftop. We then visited Brandenburg Gate, which buzzed with excitement due to the European Football Championship, with the U-Bahn filled with enthusiastic supporters. Our next stop, the Holocaust Memorial, was an unforgettable experience—striking and truly eye opening, something we were very grateful to have visited and experienced.
The following morning, after a fabulous breakfast, we visited Berlin Dome, which enriched our cultural understanding. Our itinerary then brought us to the Berlin Global, which offered insights into how the city and its people have influenced and been influenced by global events. Berlin Global featured interactive exhibits, which were personal favourites for us. We then travelled to East Side Gallery, once part of the Berlin Wall it is now the longest open-air gallery in the world. The artwork was beyond memorable and it was thoroughly enjoyable striding up and down the wall taking in the beauty while also learning about its historical significance. That evening, the highlight of our visit was the Long Night of Sciences event. We entered the gates of the University of Berlin at the beginning of the evening, eager with anticipation. The front garden had a pleasant ambience, where a jazz band played, stalls were scattered everywhere and people of all ages gathered. Inside, we attended lectures on topics ranging from animal evolution to outer space exploration, participated in a dance class and a virtual reality workshop, and used the university’s state-of-the-art microscopes. The high standard of the demonstrations deepened our appreciation for scientific inquiry and discovery. The immersive and enriching demonstrations continued long into the night.
On our final day in Berlin, we visited the Neues Museum, which helped situate the cutting edge technology and science in an ancient historical context. The museum, a favourite for all of us, featured fascinating architecture and an impressive range of Egyptian art, prehistoric objects, and classical antiques. The highlight was undoubtedly the bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.
Our trip to Berlin was both captivating and enchanting, a journey we will never forget. At the start of our SciFest journey, we could never have imagined such an opportunity, and we are forever grateful for the memorable experience. Our journey continues to remind us that with passion, creativity, and determination, anything is possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sheila Porter, the SciFest Team, and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, for making this opportunity possible. We returned to Ireland more conscious and appreciative of the scientific context and community in which we situated our project, more empowered by the well articulated and presented rich lineage of scientific inquiry and more determined to make our contribution count in this vital field of human endeavour. Thank you Berlin. Thank you SciFest and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany.
To learn more about the Berlin Long Night of Science Award and previous winners of the award click here