SciFest@College 2025 Major Awards
The following awards were available for projects entered in each of the regional SciFest@College venues in 2024. This list will be updated for the 2025 SciFest@College fairs on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check back for updates.
To view the specific criteria for each award please click on the award title.
Note: An award may not be presented if, in the opinion of the judges, no project meeting the criteria for the particular award is of sufficient standard to merit the award.
Note: Available awards, and award criteria, may change in the course of the year in the light of prevailing circumstances.
Award Criteria
Best Project Award
This award is presented to the overall best project. The criteria for selecting the best project include the potential for further development and for competing at an international level.
The Best Project Award winners from the SciFest@College 2024 regional STEM fairs will compete at the SciFest National Final in November 2024.
Participants in the National Final, providing their project meets Criterion 1, will compete for the SciFest STEM Champion 2024 Award. This award consists of a trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip for the winning student(s) and their mentor to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Criterion 1. To qualify for the SciFest STEM Champion Award at the SciFest 2024 National Final a project must comply with the rules of Regeneron ISEF 2025.
Runner-up Best Project Award
This award is presented to the overall second-best project.
The best of the runners-up from the regional fairs will also participate in the SciFest National Final. Like the Best Project Award winners they will also compete for the SciFest STEM Champion 2024 Award provided the project meets Criterion 1 above.
Following the completion of the regional SciFest@College 2024 STEM fairs the runners-up will be invited to submit their project report books to SciFest CLG. A panel of judges appointed by SciFest will assess the projects, based on the report books, and select the projects to go forward to participate in the National Final 2024.
Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award
This award is presented to the project that best demonstrates:
- Understanding of a problem/unanswered question related to science or engineering in the field of medical devices
- Understanding of an area where you have experience or are aware of something to help / improve /change a person’s quality of life who may have a medical need - parent / sister / brother / grandparent / classmate
- A contribution to the medical device field through research/experimentation
The best of the winners of this award at the regional fairs will compete at the National Final for the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award. They will also compete for the other awards available at the National Final, including the SciFest STEM Champion 2024 Award provided the project meets Criterion 1 above.
Following the completion of the regional SciFest@College 2024 STEM fairs a panel of judges appointed by Boston Scientific and SciFest will assess the projects, based on the report books, and select the projects to go forward to compete at the National Final 2024.
EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award
This award is presented to the project that best demonstrates the design of a creative, innovative approach which contributes to a cleaner energy future. Projects should focus on at least one of the following:
- Climate Change - these could include social studies, data studies, etc.
- Renewable Energy
- Electricity Transmission
- Existing and alternative energy generation, including wind energy and solar energy
- Carbon Footprint
- Energy Savings
- Air Quality
The best of the winners of this award at the regional fairs will compete at the National Final for the EirGrid Cleaner Climate Grand Award. They will also compete for the other awards available at the National Final, including the SciFest STEM Champion 2024 Award provided the project meets Criterion 1 above.
Following the completion of the regional SciFest@College 2024 STEM fairs a panel of judges appointed by EirGrid and SciFest will assess the projects, based on the report books, and select the projects to go forward to compete at the National Final 2024.
Intel Technology Award
This award is presented to the best project in the Technology category. If the overall best project or the runner-up is awarded in the Technology category this prize is awarded to the next best project in this category.
SciFest Physics Award
This award is presented to the project with the best physics content; it may be made in any of the 3 categories.
Business Excellence Institute Award
This award is presented to the project with the greatest potential to impact organisations and/or industries; it may be made in any of the 3 categories.
Huawei Communication Award
This award is presented to either a group or an individual whose project has an organised and clear report book, demonstrates enthusiasm and confidence in their presentation and can clearly convey how their project impacts the end user. This award may be made in any of the 3 categories.
SciFest Maths in Science Award
This award is presented to the project with the best use of maths; it may be made in any of the 3 categories.
Regeneron Life Sciences Award
This award is presented to the project that best demonstrates a passion for using science for good, an exceptional understanding of life sciences concepts, perseverance and flexibility; it may be made in any of the 3 categories..
Dawn Meats Agricultural Science Award
This award is presented to the best Agricultural Science project; it may be made in any of the 3 categories.
SciFest Chemistry Award
This award is presented to the project with the best chemistry content; it may be made in any of the 3 categories.
ESERO Discover Space Award
The European Space Education Resource Office Ireland (ESERO Ireland) is a project co-funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the European Space Agency. The aim of the project is to use space as a theme to support the teaching of science and maths through the provision of resources, inspirational materials and training for teachers.
Criteria: The award is presented to the project which best uses Space as a theme in science, technology or maths. Space education information and resources are available from www.esero.ie. This award may be made in any of the 3 categories.
Irish Science Teachers' Association Student Award
This award is presented to the best project in the Junior Category. If the Best Project Award winner or Runner-up is from the Junior Category the prize will be awarded to the next best project in the category.