The SciFest 2019 National Final in Association with SFI took place in the Marino Conference Centre, Dublin on Friday 22 November 2019. Overall winners from the regional SciFest STEM fairs and a selection of the top runners-up competed for a number of awards, including the SciFest 2019 Science Foundation Ireland ISEF Award - a trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim, California to represent Ireland in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2020.
This year's National Final again included a competition for the Broadcom MASTERS Award. The recipient won a trophy and an all expenses paid trip, accompanied by a parent/guardian, to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS International Programme in Anaheim, California in May 2020.
As in previous years the National Final included a competition for the best of the winners of the Boston Scientific Medical Devices award at the 16 regional fairs. This year a total of five projects were selected to compete at the National Final for the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award which consisted of a trophy and €500.
A new award this year was the Specsavers Making a Difference Grand Award, consisting of a trophy and an all-expenses-paid visit to the Big Bang Science Event in Birmingham in March 2020. A total of seven projects, selected from the winners of the Specsavers Making a Difference Award at the regional fairs, took part in this competition.
To see details of all the awards presented at this year's National Final please click here.
To view the project abstracts of all national finalists, please click here.
SciFest National Final 2019 - Award Winners
| Award |
SciFest 2019 Science Foundation Ireland ISEF Award
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Student
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Timothy McGrath
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Project
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An R&D Study on Using a Nutrient Treatment Biofilter to Combat Oceanic and Freshwater Dead Zones which Harnesses the Intrinsic Potential of Halophyte Species
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School
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Community College Killorglin, Killorglin, Co Kerry
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Teacher
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Marieke O'Connor
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o
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Award
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Teacher of Excellence 2019 Award
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School
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Community College Killorglin, Killorglin, Co Kerry
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Teacher
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Marieke O'Connor
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Award
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Broadcom MASTERS International Programme Award 2019
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Student
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Orna Collins
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Project
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Plastics with Potential – Toward a Sustainable Biodegradable
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School
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Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, Meal Sior Anraí, Luimneach
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Teacher
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Ciara Ní Dhrisceoil
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o
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Award
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Berlin Long Night of Science Award 2019
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Students
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Eva Connolly, Ella Shanahan, Willemijn Bosschaert
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Project
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Can We Effectively Make Biodegradable Clothes? An Investigation
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School
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Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
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Teacher
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Brian Higgins
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o
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Award
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Boston Scientific Medical Devices Grand Award 2019
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Student
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Oisín O'Sullivan
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Project
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iScope - The Design and Development of an Enhanced Digital Stethoscope for Remote Auscultation
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School
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Desmond College, Station Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
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Teacher
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Donal Enright
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o
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| Award |
Specsavers Making a Difference Grand Award 2019
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Student
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Miriam Murphy
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Project
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An Investigation into the Childhood Obesity Crisis in Ireland - An Analysis of the Causes and Recommendations for Prevention
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School
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Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney, Co. Cork
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Teacher
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Elaine Keane
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o
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| Award |
Intel Technology Award 2019
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Student
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Alice Shaughnessy
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Project
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Omnidirectional Magnetic Driving System
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School
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Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Co. Galway
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Teacher
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Christina Kenny
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o
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| Award |
Society for Science & the Public Award for Community Innovation
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Student
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Ronan Walsh
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Project
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"Beat The Drought" - A Smart, Staged, Domestic Greywater, Eco-treatment System Providing a Viable, Sustainable Irrigation Water Supply to Combat Drought and Water Restrictions
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School
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Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
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Teacher
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Anne Molloy
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o
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| Award |
SciFest STEM Outreach Award 2019
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Students
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Elaine Treacy, Eva McMahon, Clodagh Hannan
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Project
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Seven Times Above the Limit! A Study into Aluminium Levels in Limerick Water Supply (Seacht n-Uaire thar an Teorainn! Imsrúdú ar Leibhéal Alúmanam i Soláthar Uisce Luimnigh)
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School
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Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, Meal Sior Anraí, Luimneach
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Teacher
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Ciara Ní Dhrisceoil
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o
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| Award |
SciFest STEM Outreach Award Runners-up
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Students
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Achrafe Boudal, Giovanni Lunganga, Nikkel Oti
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Project
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GOB Spoons: A Possible Solution to the Difficulties Experienced by Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients as a Result of a Decline in Fine Motor Skills
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School
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Kishoge Community College, Thomas Omer Way, Lucan, Co. Dublin
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Teacher
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Kristina Troy
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o
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| Award |
The Abbott Ireland Life Sciences Award 2019
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Student
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Viktoryia Kharoshankaya
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Project
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Psychological and Dietary Aspects in Managing Sugar Cravings
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School
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Mount Mercy College, Model Farm Road, Cork
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Teacher
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Aaron O’Sullivan
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o
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Award
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THEA Award 2019
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Student
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Ruth Madden
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Project
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The Microplastic Filter - A Small Solution to a Global Problem
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School
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Largy College, Analore Rd, Clones, Co. Monaghan
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Teacher
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Colette Smith
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o
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| Award |
ISTA Award 2019
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Students
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Caomhán Budhlaeir, Illann Wall
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Project
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Does Every Cloud Have a Silver Lining?
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School
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Presentation Brothers College, Mardyke Walk, Cork
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Teacher
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Enda O'Regan
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o
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Award
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SciFest Scientist of the Future Award
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Student
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Aodhán Mc Guinness
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Project
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Team Performance and the National Football League (NFL) Draft
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School
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Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare
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Teacher
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Yvonne Nolan
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Award
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Yale Science and Engineering Association Award
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Student
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Ronan Walsh
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Project
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Beat The Drought - A Smart, Staged, Domestic Greywater, Eco-treatment System Providing a Viable, Sustainable Irrigation Water Supply to Combat Drought and Water Restrictions
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School
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Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
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Teacher
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Anne Molloy
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Award
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ASM Materials Education Foundation
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Student
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Ruth Madden
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Project
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The Microplastic Filter - A Small Solution to a Global Problem
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School
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Largy College, Analore Rd, Clones, Co Monaghan
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Teacher
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Colette Smith
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Award
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American Psychological Association Award
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Student
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Viktoryia Kharoshankaya
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Project
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Psychological and Dietary Aspects in Managing Sugar Cravings
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School
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Mount Mercy College, Model Farm Road, Cork
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Teacher
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Aaron O’Sullivan
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Each of the 74 finalists was also presented with an Excellence in STEM Award to mark their achievement in reaching the National Final of SciFest 2019.