SciFest: Inspiring and Promoting Excellence in STEM in Second-level Schools
How SciFest Benefits Students
SciFest:
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is open to all second-level students; it is locally based and there is no entry fee, making it highly accessible and inclusive
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encourages students to develop an interest in science through an inquiry-based approach and hands-on activities
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helps students to grow in confidence and develop their communication skills by exhibiting their work in a small, local, student-friendly environment
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encourages students of all abilities and backgrounds to participate, lowering barriers and bringing the talents of diverse populations into the innovation pipeline
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encourages and supports the greater participation of girls in STEM education
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provides students with an opportunity to engage in activities that link science, maths, engineering and technology to their everyday lives and to society
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provides students with an opportunity to visit their local third-level college, view the facilities and learn about the courses available, encouraging them to continue their STEM education into third-level
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supports the inquiry-based, problem-solving approach promoted by the science and maths curriculum in second-level schools, thus improving students’ opportunities to achieve academic success
How SciFest Benefits Teachers
SciFest:
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facilitates a community of educators with similar goals and ideals
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provides online support for teachers at scifest.ie
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supports the teaching of the STEM subjects in the second-level curriculum
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provides opportunities for professional development for teachers
SciFest@School Evaluation 2023_24
Teachers who registered for SciFest@School were asked to complete an online evaluation questionnaire.
Comments included:
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'SciFest has been excellent to work with. They understand the challenges faced in school and are very flexible if anything changes or comes up. They are always helping to facilitate and students have greatly enjoyed any SciFest that has taken place in the school. SciFest always helps things to run smoothly and make a great event for the students.'
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'The check-in emails were extremely helpful. As a busy teacher, it would be in the back of my mind to check in with the SciFest team a few weeks before the event to finalise times etc, but as I would think of it, there would be contact from SciFest. It was nice to feel so supported throughout the entire process.'
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'This was our first year completing a SciFest@Schools competition so we utilised student CBAs as a vehicle to get it started. We are hoping to grow next year to have projects at a higher standard but it was an excellent place to start as there was not any extra workload on teachers which made it more accessible to all classes.'
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'Thank you. SciFest is a very inclusive organisation celebrating all students with an interest in STEM, not just the exceptional. Any experience we have had with SciFest@College or SciFest@School have always been positive. We look forward to next year already.'
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'Thank you for helping us raise the profile of STEM in our school. Student engagement has elicited enthusiasm, pride and motivation in the subject which is extremely positive.'
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'We get our 1st year students to participate as it prepares them for the CBA in 2nd and 3rd year and also SciFest raises the profile of the school as a STEM School.'
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'I think SciFest is great. With the changes to the new LC syllabi, the practical application of the Scientific Method will be come more important and the earlier the students have the skills, the better and less anxious they will be.'
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'Excellent initiative and very happy to be involved.'
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'We ran SciFest@School as part of our STEAM week (we did a trial this year putting science, space, maths and engineering weeks all together to maximise impact and minimise disruption) . It was hugely successful and SciFest was a great way to showcase students work and hopefully inspire them to take part in SciFest@College - especially when they get to TY. We will definitely run it again, a bit earlier in the year so that students have the opportunity to go on to SciFest at College.'
Testimonials
The documents and videos below provide insights into the views of teachers, students, school principals, parents and alumni on the value of SciFest and how the program promotes project work to enhance students' learning and skills, as well as fostering STEM education in schools.
To access a particular document please click on either the document title or its icon.