SETU hosted its Scifest event at its campus in Carlow this week.
The University welcomed post-primary school students from the region to take part in the event, and to present STEM projects.
SciFest, founded in 2006 is a true celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education. Spanning all of Ireland it has grown in the 19 years to become Ireland’s largest second-level STEM fair programme. SciFest fairs provide a platform for students to showcase their projects, exchange ideas, and connect with fellow enthusiasts and experts alike. Participation is an exciting opportunity for them to explore, innovate, and share their passion for STEM subjects.
“SciFest @ College Carlow has a tremendous level of innovation, enthusiasm, and scientific curiosity by the students. It was truly inspiring to see such bright young minds tackling real-world challenges with creativity and confidence. Both the academic and industrial judges was impressed with the eloquence of some teams explaining their projects and their future plans. We hope that this type of events will continue incentivising students to pursue science careers.”
Dr Adriana Cunha Neves, SETU lecturer and Regional Coordinator, SciFest@CollegeCarlow.
The programme consists of a series of one-day STEM fairs at different levels. SciFest@College, one of the key stages and takes place in various third-level institutions, including at SETU. These fairs give students the opportunity to exhibit their projects, participate in a competition, and attend engaging science talks and demonstrations. At SETU's Scifest event at its Carlow campus, students had the chance to hear from two exciting scientists and compete for a range of prizes.
By hosting fairs at local, regional, and national levels, SciFest encourages students to develop their scientific skills, explore potential STEM careers, and engage with experts in the field.
“SciFest is more than just a STEM fair: it is a launchpad for young innovators, equipping second-level students with the confidence, skills, and curiosity to tackle real-world challenges. By engaging in hands-on research, collaborating with mentors, and connecting with like-minded peers, participants gain invaluable experience that extends far beyond the competition.
With over 15,000 students taking part each year and participation continuing to grow, SciFest is shaping the future of STEM education and innovation. This incredible momentum is driven by the unwavering dedication of teachers, mentors, parents, third-level coordinators, and our valued partners and sponsors. Their commitment ensures that every student, regardless of background, gender, ability or circumstance has the opportunity to explore, discover, and innovate. We are deeply grateful for their support in inspiring the next generation of changemakers."
Commenting on the SciFest@CollegeCarlow regional STEM fair Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO.
